Tunes Du Jour Presents Radiohead

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Radiohead’s career is a journey of artistic evolution, starting with the angst of their breakout hit “Creep” and expanding into one of the most innovative and influential bands of the modern era. The raw emotion and alienation of Pablo Honey quickly gave way to the more nuanced, layered sounds of The Bends and OK Computer. Tracks like “Fake Plastic Trees” and “Karma Police” captured a generation’s disillusionment, weaving existential concerns into haunting melodies and thoughtful lyrics. These songs are iconic not just for their musicality but for their ability to resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level.

By the time Kid A arrived, Radiohead was no longer just a rock band—they had fully embraced experimentation. Tracks like “Idioteque” and “Everything In Its Right Place” pushed boundaries, blending electronic elements with their signature melancholic sound. This shift in direction could have alienated fans, but instead, it deepened their connection with a broader audience who appreciated the band’s willingness to challenge themselves and their listeners. Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief continued this experimentation, with songs like “Pyramid Song” and “There There” proving that Radiohead could evoke deep emotions while exploring complex structures.

Themes of isolation and environmental decay permeate Radiohead’s work, especially in later albums. “Burn the Witch,” from A Moon Shaped Pool, revisits these topics with a dark intensity, while “Daydreaming” and “True Love Waits” offer more subdued, introspective takes. Thom Yorke’s solo efforts, like “Dawn Chorus” and collaborations such as “This Mess We’re In” with PJ Harvey, further showcase his ability to craft deeply atmospheric soundscapes that blur the lines between genres.

Radiohead’s live performances are as legendary as their studio work. The dense layers of songs like “Reckoner” and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” translate into immersive, sometimes overwhelming experiences on stage, while more minimalist tracks like “How to Disappear Completely” create haunting, ethereal moments that captivate audiences. Their ability to shift between these sonic extremes has cemented their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts of their time.

Ultimately, Radiohead’s enduring influence comes from their refusal to be static. Albums like OK Computer, Kid A, and In Rainbows continue to be touchstones for listeners, while songs like “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” and “No Surprises” remind us of their uncanny ability to capture the darker aspects of the human experience. Few bands have navigated change with such grace, balancing innovation with an emotional core that never loses its impact.

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Tunes Du Jour Presents 1993

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The music of 1993 was a vibrant mix of genres and styles that reflected the diverse cultural landscape of the early ’90s. This year saw the continued dominance of hip-hop, the rise of alternative rock, and the evolution of pop music, all while established artists pushed their creative boundaries.

Hip-hop was undeniably a driving force in 1993’s musical landscape. Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg’s “Nuthin’ but a G Thang,” with its laid-back groove, epitomized the G-funk sound that defined West Coast rap. Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” painted a vivid picture of a perfect day in the hood, showcasing the humor and storytelling skills that made him a beloved figure in the rap world. Meanwhile, East Coast artists like Wu-Tang Clan made their mark with the gritty “Protect Ya Neck.” The genre’s influence extended beyond coastal rivalry, with Naughty By Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” and Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is)” becoming nationwide party anthems.

Alternative rock continued its ascent into the mainstream. Radiohead’s “Creep” showcased the band’s angsty beginnings, its melancholic melody and introspective lyrics striking a chord with those struggling with feelings of inadequacy, while Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” a powerful anthem of rebellion, its aggressive sound and socially conscious lyrics that captured the angst and disillusionment of a generation, sparking protests and inspiring a generation of activists, brought politically charged rap-rock to the forefront. R.E.M., already established icons, delivered an anthem for those seeking comfort through emotional vulnerability with the poignant “Everybody Hurts.” Blind Melon’s “No Rain” became an iconic track with its unforgettable music video, featuring the “bee girl” that resonated with audiences worldwide. The year also saw the emergence of Britpop with Blur’s “For Tomorrow” and Suede’s “Animal Nitrate” hinting at the UK’s impending musical revolution.

Pop music in 1993 was anything but one-note. Janet Jackson’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” exemplified smooth R&B-infused pop, while Madonna continued to push boundaries with “Deeper and Deeper,” blending house music with her signature pop style. Whitney Houston’s cover of “I’m Every Woman” breathed new life into a classic, and Prince continued to defy categorization with “7.”

Nineteen ninety-three also saw female artists making bold statements across genres. PJ Harvey’s raw “Rid of Me,” Björk’s ethereal “Venus as a Boy,” and Liz Phair’s unapologetic “Fuck and Run” challenged conventions and expanded the scope of women’s voices in rock. In the realm of hip-hop, Salt-N-Pepa’s “Shoop” showcased women owning their sexuality, while Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” became an anthem for the riot grrrl movement.

The year also highlighted the genre-blending creativity that would come to define the decade. Digable Planets’ “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” brought jazz-rap into the mainstream, showcasing hip-hop’s versatility and its ability to incorporate sophisticated musical elements. This fusion of styles demonstrated how artists were increasingly willing to experiment and push the boundaries of their respective genres, setting the stage for the eclectic musical landscape that would unfold throughout the rest of the 1990s.

From the gritty sounds of West Coast hip-hop to the introspective lyrics of alternative rock, from the bold statements of female artists across genres to the genre-bending experiments that defied classification, the music scene of 1993 was bursting with creativity. This rich variety not only reflected the cultural zeitgeist of the early ’90s but also laid the groundwork for the musical evolution that would define the rest of the decade and beyond.

Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 4-21-24

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It really rankles and roils, riling me relentlessly, gets my goat and grinds my gears that a ghastly ghost greedily grabbed some of my greatest grooves, several superb sounds from my marvelous music menagerie, including The Cure’s Disintegration on vinyl, vanishing without a visible vestige. It’s a haunting hijacking that has me howling hauntingly, harboring hopes that horrific hoodlum returns my rightful recordings. Relievingly, I’ve retained Robert Smith’s resonant refrains on compact disc, considerably consoling my celestial lamentations.

The Cure’s Robert Smith was born on this date in 1959. Even if you don’t have the disease, we have The Cure on today’s playlist.

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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 1-13-24

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“One minute you’re just cooking up someone’s order of French fries and the next minute you’re laying on the floor and they blow your brains out.”-   The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne reflecting on being held up at gunpoint when he was a fry cook at Long John Silver’s 

The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on this date in 1961. A few of his band’s cuts are included on today’s playlist.

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My Favorite Songs Of 2023

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Five years after then president of The Recording Academy proclaimed that women need to step up, the ladies have responded with “How’s this, jerkface?” Women dominate this year’s Grammy nominations. More importantly, all but two of the top 20 songs on my year-end list are led by female artists (with one guy showing up to provide guest vocals). That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. I don’t have a deep analysis for this phenomenon, but I do have a deep appreciation for the talent and diversity of these women (not that women have ever been underrepresented in my annual tallies). The highest placing male acts on my 2023 list are none other than The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Yes, you read that right. The legends are back, and they still can show the young-uns how it’s done. With their song “Angry,” The Rolling Stones have achieved a remarkable feat: the longest span from first appearance to most recent appearance in my year-end surveys. In 1981, my first year of making such lists, the group placed with “Start Me Up.” The 80s are also well represented by Kylie Minogue and Madonna, each of whom made a triumphant return to my list after long absences. Welcome back, ladies! And last but not least, let’s give a round of applause to Megan Thee Stallion, who has been in my top five for five years in a row. That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. Now, without further ado, here is my list of the best songs of 2023. Enjoy!

  1. Ice Cream Man. – RAYE
  2. vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
  3. Kill Bill – SZA
  4. Bongos – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
  5. Not Strong Enough – boygenius
  6. Flowers – Miley Cyrus
  7. Escapism. – RAYE & 070 Shake
  8. Paint the Town Red – Doja Cat
  9. Lipstick Lover – Janelle Monáe
  10. Nobody Gets Me – SZA
  11. Dance the Night – Dua Lipa
  12. Shirt – SZA
  13. AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
  14. What Was I Made For? – Billie Eilish
  15. Padam Padam – Kylie Minogue
  16. Cobra – Megan Thee Stallion
  17. Brenda Put Your Bra On – Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack & Pillbox Patti
  18. Angry – The Rolling Stones
  19. Now and Then – The Beatles
  20. Cool About It – boygenius
  21. RATATA – Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo
  22. Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey
  23. Calm Down – Rema with Selena Gomez
  24. Gorilla – Little Simz
  25. Seven – Jung Kook feat. Latto
  26. My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski
  27. bad idea right? – Olivia Rodrigo
  28. Jaded – Miley Cyrus
  29. Tropic Morning News – The National
  30. Someday At Christmas – Lizzo
  31. Used To Be Young – Miley Cyrus
  32. Pretty Girls Walk – Big Boss Vette
  33. River – Miley Cyrus
  34. Light On In The Kitchen – Ashley McBryde
  35. Out Alpha the Alpha – Megan Thee Stallion
  36. Bubblegum – Dawn Richard
  37. Rush – Troye Sivan
  38. It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody – Weyes Blood
  39. Weightless – Arlo Parks
  40. Psychos – Jenny Lewis
  41. The Sea – Romy
  42. Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
  43. Popular – The Weeknd & Madonna feat. Playboi Carti
  44. The Narcissist – Blur
  45. (It Goes Like) Nanana – Peggy Gou
  46. Tukoh Taka – Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares
  47. Freak Me Now – Jessie Ware
  48. Standing Next To You – Jung Kook
  49. Eyez – The Arcs
  50. What Now – Brittany Howard
  51. Thinking About You – Beck
  52. Wall of Eyes – The Smile
  53. Good Lookin’ – Dixon Dallas
  54. Girl Like Me – Dove Cameron
  55. Wild Flower – RM with youjeen
  56. Helmet – Steve Lacy
  57. Everybody’s Got to Learn – First Aid Kit
  58. Flip a Switch. – RAYE feat. Coi Leray
  59. Nothing Left To Lose – Everything But The Girl
  60. Say Yes To Heaven – Lana Del Rey
  61. Moonlight – Kali Uchis
  62. Bending Hectic – The Smile
  63. In My Head – The Lemon Twigs
  64. Snooze – SZA
  65. Attention – Doja Cat
  66. get him back! – Olivia Rodrigo
  67. Will Anybody Ever Love Me? – Sufjan Stevens
  68. Tux (Your Body Fills Me, Boo) – US Girls
  69. Lottery – Latto feat. LU KALA
  70. Bug Like an Angel – Mitski
  71. The Hands – serpentwithfeet
  72. A day in the water – Christine & the Queens
  73. Drummer Boy – Titus Andronicus
  74. Little Things – Jorja Smith
  75. Daydreaming – Harry Styles
  76. True Love – Christine & the Queens & 070 Shake
  77. Evicted – Wilco
  78. Got Me Started – Troye Sivan
  79. Eye For An Eye – Rina Sawayama
  80. Water Slide – Janelle Monáe
  81. Single Soon – Selena Gomez
  82. Odyssey – Beck & Phoenix
  83. I Don’t Know What You See In Me – Belle & Sebastian
  84. Seem an I – PJ Harvey
  85. Begin Again – Jessie Ware
  86. One of Your Girls – Troye Sivan

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