This is a Great song.
Monthly Archive for October, 2007
I’m not one to complete incredibly long, epic video games. Probably 90% of the media that I’ve consumed outside of school has been presented to me in the form of a sound-byte or snippet. Which is why, for me, Portal is one of the greatest games I’ve ever played. It does away with the extraneous, shallow storytelling that fails to capture my attention in contemporary video games. The main character is without any discernible persona or backstory. The “story” is presented through the instructions and recitations of a computer, as the player solves puzzles. This computer’s demeanor seems helpful, but very sterile and neutral at the start, but becomes treacherous and murderous as the game progresses. Deadpan humor is peppered throughout, and I found myself laughing when the computer delivers her final, passive-aggressive evaluation of my performance in solving the puzzles. It’s presented in the MP3 below. Skip 2001: A Space Odyssey and play Portal.
The Computer’s Swan Song: Portal - This Was A Triumph.mp3
I’m glad that Radiohead released In Rainbows without the distribution help of their label. Though, because of their fame, this probably isn’t that big of a deal. I don’t think that they’ve grown any less famous in years since their last release. And, the fans - and industry - worship their post-Pablo Honey creations as if touched by the divine. Upcoming bands certainly gain from the exposure that the internet provides, but I don’t expect any unheard-of bands to completely circumvent the promotion, distribution and tour logistics that labels provide on the road to fame.
The band is also allowing listeners to pay what they think the album is worth. Which makes me wonder: are people already putting money on the pre-order? Are they basing the value of the album on their anticipation? And if that’s the case, what if the album doesn’t meet, or, exceeds their expectations? I, for one, am going to give the album a long listen before I place a value on it. Radiohead might be better off this way, considering that, for me, OK Computer is at least a $100 album.
These caught my ear on a first-run:
Radiohead - 15 Step.mp3
Radiohead - Reckoner.mp3
Of course, if you like it, pay what it’s worth: In Rainbows
This song is better live than on the album, methinks.
