To: Thom Yorke

Re: Your solo album

Dear Thommy,

Stop right there! Put down that drum machine! Step away from the solo career!

I know you're getting a lot of critical praise for your new CD, "The Eraser," and I congratulate you on that. You're even getting your own magazine covers. I'm glad to see your press-shyness goes away more when your bandmates in Radiohead aren't around.

Keep in mind, though, that most of the people writing those articles and reviews would line up to see you perform a Buddhist chant or order a cheeseburger. Not that you eat meat, of course.

I hate to be the creep to break it to you, but "The Eraser" actually sorta blows. It's too downbeat, even for you. There aren't any real melodies on it or those things you might call a "hook." And I don't care how many Brian Eno albums you own, electronic gadgets are always a poor sub for a band.

Being a smart guy, I would think you know better than to ponder a solo career. Surely you know the precedent: Alternative rockers who leave a much-loved band never have the same impact or credibility on their own.

Here's a list of names for you: David Byrne, Frank Black, Billy Corgan, Chris Cornell, Courtney Love, Perry Farrell, Jarvis Cocker, Stephen Malkmus, Dave Gahan, Richard Ashcroft, Evan Dando, Les Claypool, Mark Eitzel, J Mascis, Lou Barlow, Ian McCulloch. Oh, and Morrissey.

Even my homeboy Paul Westerberg has trouble getting out from under the Replacements, a band that was all too often under the table.

There's just something about hip, underground-reared rock singers that goes over better in a band. You aren't supposed to have your surname in lights (or on magazine covers).

More important, I think bandmates keep you in check. Those far-flung arty inclinations that make you great can also sometimes make you ridiculous. I doubt the other Smashing Pumpkins often stood up to Billy Corgan, but surely they would have prevented his horrendous 2005 solo album (the one with drum machines).

OK, there are a few exceptions. Björk did pretty well for herself. Iggy Pop ascended after the Stooges, if you consider cruise-line commercials a success. And then there's the godfather of alterna-rock, Lou Reed, but the Velvet Underground was pretty overrated in the first place.

Radiohead is definitely not overrated. "Amnesiac" doesn't really stand up to repeated listening, but otherwise the band deserves every accolade thrown at it, especially as a live act (although the fact that you keep skipping our town bites).

You have a good thing going on, Thom. Don't mess it up. I'm sure your defense would be, "But I'm an artist, I don't want to be fenced in." It's not like you don't have room to roam with Radiohead.

Yours in depression,

Kid C, Minneapolis, MN

Вчера вы крайне мило и добро пообщались с "низами".
Вы завоевываете их доверие?Для чего?

Отредактировано Northern Star (2006-09-02 19:55:21)

ярик сказал что вы на него пялились на литературе
Это тоже стратегический ход?

на уроках смотрят на учителя а не на мальчегов пялятся!

Отредактировано Northern Star (2006-09-02 20:09:35)

просто вы своим таинственным и гипнотизируеще проникновенным взглядом ранили его детскую психику
а что бы её восстановить он должен несколько раз прослушать тиесто.на полной громкости

ждусь не дождусь этого момента!
тогда вы его заставите слушать музыку тише и  не грубить бедным сожителям его квартиры вроде меня

я уверена что это верный ход ведь Вам виднее
а что по поводу гомосексуализма - это не выгодный ход.ведь наличие зуева наталкивает на некторые мысли относительно ваших отношений которые вы не подтверждаете

Отредактировано Northern Star (2006-09-02 20:18:20)