Radiohead at times whispers, and at other times shouts (see 'Stop Whispering' from their 1993 debut, Pablo Honey). For example, their most relaxed album to date, In Rainbows, whispered of intimacy and ambience. But its release and distribution in the Fall of 2007, the pay-what-you-want-to-download approach shouted at a record industry that is upside down and inside out. Radiohead is speaking again, though I'm unsure yet if this is a whisper or a shout.
Two messages came to the fore this week.
First, they released a downloadable single called 'Harry Patch (In Memory)'. You might recognize the name. Here is a brief message from Thom Yorke, lead singer and lyricist about the new song:
Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111.
I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4.
The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.
It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.
It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny.
I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor.
It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us.
I hope we do not forget.
As Harry himself said
"Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".
Recently the Today program played the song for the first time and now it is available to download from our website.
Please go to http://download.waste.uk.com to download the song
The proceeds of this song will go to the British Legion.
To peace and understanding.
Thom
Second, they declared they are done recording albums, and prefer now to focus on the creative outlets of singles and EPs, as well as electronic and online distribution.
'Stop whispering, start shouting.'
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