The American Radiohead?

[radiokills]

not that i agree with it, but its a comparison that warrants some discussion in my opinion. i recently listened to an interview with jeff on a radio station in massachusetts i believe, and he seemed somewhat standoffish/slightly annoyed when the interviewer mentioned the comparison (evident in his tone of voice more than anything).

 

as someone who is heartily obsessed with both bands, i'm interested to hear what others have to say regarding this, or regarding comparisons between different bands in general.

[MrRain422]

I've heard the comparison made many times but always thought it was a weak one.

[jmacomber68w]

no they are not, they are an American band who has clearly been influenced by radiohead

[radiokills]

no they are not, they are an American band who has clearly been influenced by radiohead

 

i don't think they've really influenced each other at all really, both bands come from two completely different musical backgrounds. they just happen to draw a significant amount of comparisons.

[OOO]

They are both really, really good. Beyond that, I don't think they really influence each other or anything like that. I wouldn't call them the American Radiohead, but if you wanted me to pick the best active bands from their respective countries, it would be these two.

[Wendy]

So different.

 

"Radiohead aimed for the head and Wilco aimed for the heart."

 

~ Indy Star music critic Dave Lindquist

[radiokills]

So different.

 

"Radiohead aimed for the head and Wilco aimed for the heart."

 

~ Indy Star music critic Dave Lindquist

 

awesome quote. although i would argue that wilco aims for the head as well

[Szabo]

no they are not, they are an American band who has clearly been influenced by radiohead

 

I've never heard any sort of Radiohead influence in Wilco's music. I'm curious though, where do you hear this?

 

As for the comparison, Wilco is not nearly as big of a band, or as innovative as Radiohead. Don't get me wrong, I love both Wilco and Radiohead, Wilco more, but I just don't see the comparison.

[cryptique]

They're not the American Radiohead, because I don't particularly care for Radiohead.

[theashtraysays]

Two great, creative, re-inventing kinds of bands, yes. But no, I don't hear the influence. I always thought of Radiohead as a kind of Pink Floyd for the next generation. I don't see Wilco as that at all.

[W(TF)]

My brother nearly ended up in Chicago, but he's in Oxford for a few years. So I kid him that it would've been great to be in Wilco's hometown, but since Radiohead are in Oxford, I can see the appeal of living there as well.

 

It's a nice compliment to Wilco, but I don't know how useful the comparison is. Both great bands, and fans of each are already no doubt very aware of the other. You could say they share some arty elements, some melancholy, themes of alienation, etc. But you could say that about a hundred other bands.

[thagle]

I think the comparison is that both have longevity and both continue to reinvent themselves with each new album. I think that point is very valid.

[keeprockalive88]

I don't think the comparison is made in a sound sense, the bands are sonically quite different. I think it's made as an attitude comparison. Both evolve and show musical growth and experimentation. If Radiohead had Americana roots, they would probably sound something like Wilco. It's more of an analogy of Wilco is to America as Radiohead is to England. I guess.

[mountain bed]

If Radiohead had Americana roots, they would probably sound something like Wilco. It's more of an analogy of Wilco is to America as Radiohead is to England. I guess.

This makes perfect sense to me. Like The Dead and The Floyd are both, on the surface, purveyors of "psychedelic" rock it's more of an American versus British take on a (somewhat) similar thing.

[giraffo]

Wilco isn't the American Radiohead because Wilco doesn't suck.

[radiokills]

If Radiohead had Americana roots, they would probably sound something like Wilco. It's more of an analogy of Wilco is to America as Radiohead is to England. I guess.

 

i couldn't agree more, good point.

[you ever seen a ghost?]

i've always thought the comparison was somewhat apt. maybe it's just because Wilco and RH are the best, most inventive bands from each respective country. :-)

 

>Wilco isn't the American Radiohead because Wilco doesn't suck.

 

please. even if their music isn't your cup of tea, it would be tough to argue their importance or ability.

 

-justin

[mfwahl]

It's a bad comparison and not a complement (Radiohead is the British Wilco?). Wilco is a pretty unique band. Also, I love Wilco and don't care for Radiohead if that means anything.

[blue_94_trooper]

Also, I love Wilco and don't care for Radiohead if that means anything.

 

I love Wilco and Radiohead but I hate Billy Joel and Journey.

 

Does that mean anything?

[mfwahl]

I love Wilco and Radiohead but I hate Billy Joel and Journey.

 

Does that mean anything?

Billy Joel is to East Coast as Journey is to West Coast

[Gobias Industries]

If Radiohead had Americana roots, they would probably sound something like Wilco. It's more of an analogy of Wilco is to America as Radiohead is to England. I guess.

 

This. When people bring up how they are "liek the same," I get half-angry and explain how they actually differentiate from their roots. Radiohead takes from a more "alternative," post-punk-ish history while Wilco draws from the more "folk," alt-country, Americana roots. They have followed similar arcs, so to speak but their pasts are so different.

 

What would be a more interesting argument is that whether Radiohead and Wilco, despite different roots, have followed parallel paths.

[Bubs101]

I don't see what's wrong with the term apart from being Lazy journalism. Radiohead are a very unique band (as are Wilco) and Wilco are probably the closest thing to them that America has produced in the same time line, hence the American Radiohead and seeing that Radiohead are the bigger out of the two of them it's natural that it would be the American Radiohead and not the British Wilco.

 

If anything, the only purpose the comments serves is to intoduce Radiohead fans to Wilco

[RaspberryJam]

I can somewhat see why there is a comparison. Generally, both bands' music is multilayered paired with excellent musicianship. Both's albums get better with each listening, when you can appreciate nuance, which both have alot of. They are also both excellent live bands.

 

The fact that the music itself is wildly different aside, I can see why both bands would appeal to the same listener (me).

[keeprockalive88]

This. When people bring up how they are "liek the same," I get half-angry and explain how they actually differentiate from their roots. Radiohead takes from a more "alternative," post-punk-ish history while Wilco draws from the more "folk," alt-country, Americana roots. They have followed similar arcs, so to speak but their pasts are so different.

 

What would be a more interesting argument is that whether Radiohead and Wilco, despite different roots, have followed parallel paths.

 

 

Exactly. They take their pasts and evolve. They don't sound alike because of their roots, but it's how they both draw from their roots and progress off of them. What makes them similar is how they play with these roots and artistically craft the sound to be something of their own. Few bands craft sound in the way that Wilco and Radiohead do.

 

I can't really explain it, they don't sound similar but they feel similar. Both started out with a more, "raw" rockin' attitude and slowly evolved into their own identities. Take YHF and OK Computer for instance. Two completely different albums, obviously. However, this is when both of them really start to dive into a more intricately produced state. They both take their previous sounds as a base, but they take those roots in a much more progressive direction. Both of have a real "full-album feel." But, they sound absolutely nothing alike. It's just what they did with their past, as you said, followed parallel paths with their musical development.

[southern hotel foxtrot]

I'm a big fan of both bands and i personally don't think the bands are alike BUT I do see where people get the comparisons if that makes any sense... especially on the sonic atmospheric tracks on YHF, AGIB and the Wilco Book CD. I believe when Jim O'Rourke is involved, he puts a Sonic Youth/Radiohead element to Wilco's music.... I have caught myself telling a few friends before who had never heard of Wilco that "they sound like the offspring of Bob Dylan and Radiohead" So I guess I'm guilty as charged...