u/Freddylikesnangs2024

I’ve been thinking about this lately.

Do you guys put Tame Impala in the same tier as Radiohead, or is that a stretch? I know Kevin Parker doesn’t have as large a catalog, but the consistency, production, and influence of albums like Innerspeaker, Lonerism, and Currents make me wonder if he’s in that conversation. Radiohead obviously has the deeper discography and has reinvented itself multiple times, but Tame Impala has created a sound that countless artists have copied over the last decade.

Curious where everyone lands. Same level, close but not quite, or not even in the same league?

I still consider them absolute musical geniuses, and I completely understand why they’re held in such high regard. But for whatever reason, their music just doesn’t connect with me emotionally like it used to. Over the last five years, Tame Impala has become my favorite band. I’ve also found myself listening to a lot more jazz and other music that feels more immersive and inspiring.

That said, I still revisit The Smile every now and then, and I’ve really been enjoying Ed O’Brien’s new album.

Maybe it’s just that my taste has evolved, or maybe Radiohead was the right band for a different chapter of my life. I’m curious if anyone else has experienced the same thing, or if you’ve found yourself connecting with different music as you’ve gotten older.

Hey guys,

I’m currently running a pair of KEF LS60s with dual KC62 subs. My source is a Mac mini running Audirvāna, and I listen almost exclusively to high-resolution music.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about going back to a passive system. I’m seriously considering a pair of KEF Reference 1s while keeping the dual KC62s. For amplification, I’m looking at picking up a used McIntosh MA7200. I know McIntosh can be a polarizing brand, but I’ve always liked their sound and build quality.

For those of you who have experience with both setups, what differences should I expect compared to my current LS60 system? I’m mainly interested in changes to soundstage, imaging, detail retrieval, dynamics, midrange, bass integration with the KC62s, and overall musicality.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar switch or spent significant time with both systems. Lastly, I’m not looking for opinions on other speaker brands.

Here’s the struggle I deal with almost daily.

I’ve been a huge Radiohead fan since the late ’90s. Their music has been a part of my life for decades, and every album has affected me in different ways. I honestly believe their discography is one of the greatest ever created, and their musical talent is on a level that very few artists over the past 50 years have reached.

Then I heard Currents.

It completely changed me. From that moment on, I became obsessed with Tame Impala. I’m sure most of you on this sub know me as “the NANGS guy,” so that’s probably no surprise.

The strange part is that while Radiohead has been such a huge part of my life, Kevin Parker does something to me emotionally that almost no other artist can. His music hits my soul in a way that’s hard to put into words. There’s just something about his songwriting, production, melodies, and the atmosphere he creates that feels completely unique.

It’s almost like comparing one of the greatest bands of all time with someone who came along later and created a sound that feels entirely his own. They’re so different that it almost isn’t fair to compare them, yet I find myself doing it constantly.

Most people have one undisputed favorite band. I usually do too. But with Radiohead and Tame Impala, they seem to be in a never-ending battle for my number one spot. Depending on the day, either one can take it.

Am I the only one who has two artists constantly fighting for that #1 position, or has anyone else had a newer artist come along and challenge a band you never thought could be topped?

I've finally come to terms with something that’s been hard to accept. After watching and reading all of Ed O’Brien’s recent interviews, I’ve started to believe we’re probably never getting another Radiohead album. That’s a tough pill to swallow. I’m 48 years old, and I’ve been a Radiohead fan since the late ‘90s. I still have all the box sets, CDs, vinyl, and other memorabilia I’ve collected over the years. Their music has been tied to so many different chapters of my life that realizing this chapter may truly be over is surprisingly emotional. For a long time, I assumed the holdup was mostly Thom and Jonny—that they were the driving force behind the band and that another record would happen whenever they were ready. But after hearing Ed speak over the past year, I get the impression that he’s genuinely fulfilled making his own music and exploring other creative outlets. That really changed my perspective. Could they reunite someday? Absolutely. I hope they do. But if I’m being realistic, I’m no longer expecting another studio album.

Interestingly, over the last 10 years I’ve become a huge Tame Impala fan, and they’ve gradually taken over as my favorite band. Maybe that’s my way of filling the void, knowing that Radiohead may never release another album. Like Radiohead, Kevin Parker isn’t afraid to experiment, evolve, and completely change directions from one album to the next. That willingness to push boundaries is what made me fall in love with Radiohead in the first place, and it’s a big reason why Tame Impala resonates with me so much. One thing I especially love is that Tame Impala still embraces physical media. He continues to release beautiful collectible vinyl editions and deluxe box sets. As someone who grew up buying CDs and collecting albums, the physical side of music has always been incredibly important to me. There’s just something special about opening a new record, looking through the artwork, reading the liner notes, and having something tangible to connect with. I’m really glad Kevin is keeping that tradition alive, much like Radiohead did for so many years.

Ironically, all of this has had me revisiting In Rainbows, The King of Limbs, and A Moon Shaped Pool on repeat over the past year. Those albums have taken on even more meaning for me.

I’m curious what everyone else thinks. Have Ed’s recent interviews changed your outlook, or do you still believe we’ll eventually get another Radiohead album? Lastly, I love Ed's new album!

I’ve never been much of a fan of brown straps, and it seems like the black leather gives the 43 more of the classic Big Pilot look. If you’ve made the switch, I’d love to see some photos and hear your thoughts. I just ordered a new Big Pilot 43 and special-ordered it with the OEM black leather extra-short strap.

I’ve got nothing against Lady Gaga, but I can’t help feeling that Perfect Illusion could’ve been a massive Tame Impala song. Every time I hear it, I wonder what a full Kevin/Tame version would’ve sounded like. Do you think there’s any chance we hear the original demo on the current anniversary box set? Or is that wishful thinking?

Hey everyone, does anyone have any photos of the IWC Big Pilot 43 on the shorter strap?

I have a 6.5-inch wrist and can wear the standard strap, but I’m on the very last hole. I’d like a fit that looks a little more balanced and tailored to my wrist.

For those with smaller wrists who switched to the shorter strap, did it make a noticeable difference in comfort and overall wearability? Any photos or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been wanting to write this for a long time, and Thom’s recent acceptance speech finally pushed me to do it. There was a moment during the speech where he thanked Jonny Greenwood and then seemed to catch himself before acknowledging the rest of the band. Maybe it was nothing, but it reminded me of something I’ve felt for years about Radiohead and how people view the band.

For context, I’m 48 years old and I’ve been a fan since Pablo Honey. Radiohead has been my favorite band for most of my life. I’ve seen them live more times than I can count, and over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to meet both Ed and Jonny. I’ve followed this band closely for decades, and while none of us truly know what happens behind closed doors, I think longtime fans can sometimes pick up on patterns.

Let me start by saying that Thom Yorke is a genius. Radiohead would not exist without him. He’s one of the most important songwriters of the last 30 years.

That said, I’ve always felt that Radiohead’s greatness gets oversimplified. The narrative has increasingly become Thom and Jonny, Thom and Jonny, Thom and Jonny. While they’re obviously the primary creative partnership, Radiohead has never been just those two people.

When I met Ed during the A Moon Shaped Pool tour in Atlanta, what struck me was how passionate he was about music and creativity in general. It reminded me that this band is loaded with talent. Ed, Colin, and Phil aren’t just supporting musicians. They’re part of the reason Radiohead sounds like Radiohead.

I’ve never been convinced that Thom’s best work exists outside the band. I like a lot of his solo material. I respect what he’s done with The Smile. But if I’m being honest, none of it comes close to what happens when all five members of Radiohead are working together.

In fact, I’d argue that even Radiohead’s lesser albums are more interesting than anything Thom has released outside the band. That’s not a criticism of Thom. It’s a testament to how special the chemistry of those five musicians is when they’re in a room together.

Part of me has wondered for years if that same dynamic is also one of the reasons we haven’t seen another Radiohead record. Again, none of us knows exactly how decisions get made, but it’s hard not to notice that The Smile was able to release three albums in a relatively short period of time while Radiohead has remained inactive.

I know a lot of people love The Smile. That’s completely fair. For me, though, those records only reinforced what I’ve always believed: Radiohead is bigger than any one member, even Thom.

In my opinion, it would make sense for Radiohead to get back together and record two or three new songs as an EP before committing to a full-length album. It would give them a chance to see if the chemistry and creative magic are still there, without the pressure of making a complete record. If those sessions feel right, then they could decide whether they want to move forward with a full album.

Maybe I’m wrong about some of this. Maybe Thom isn’t nearly as dominant in the band’s decision-making as it sometimes appears from the outside.

What I do know is that Radiohead’s greatness has always come from the combination of Thom, Jonny, Ed, Colin, and Phil. Thom may be the face of the band, and Jonny may be his closest collaborator, but without the other three there is no Radiohead.

Anyway, that’s my take. Curious what everyone else thinks.