Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads - Music (Various)

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Customer Reviews of Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads

Ian G. Talbot
Middle of the UK
8th January 2007

Some surprises!
Being a dedicated Radiohead fan i thought it was about time i bought this album.

From the listed reviews on Amazon i did not know what to expect. However i am pleasantly surprised by the versions of Radiohead tracks. It is refreshing to hear them done so differently, and that is the key point to this album. The fact that the songs are so different to the originals does make it an enjoyeable listen.

It is important to remember that this album is not meant to be slightly different versions of Radioheads music but individual versions by each artist. I think it is well worth the money for something different. However you will need a broad range in musical taste to fully appreciate it.

Shaolin_monkey
Cardiff, UK
1st May 2006

Not a Radiohead fan, until now!
I bought this album purely on the basis of Mark Ronsons' superb interpretation of 'Just', including an absolutely thrilling horn section. Despite this, I knew buying this album was a bit of a stab in the dark, not being a Radiohead fan by any stretch of the imagination.

I was right to be wary, and I wish I'd listened to my gut feelings, as there are only about 5 tracks from this 14 track album I enjoy. For example, I find interpretations like Sa-Ra Featuring the Sa-Ra All Stars weak,and Lo Freq doing Blow Out quite uninspired.

However, kudos to the compilation for including such beautiful tracks as No Surprises, covered by Shawn Lee. Also, although sometimes vocally compromised, Sia's Paranoid Android is just amazing.

Ultimately, although this album hasn't impressed me overall, one thing it has done is encouraged me to go back to some of the source material. I'll post my reviews of 'The Bends' and 'Ok Computer' shortly, as soon as Amazon kindly delivers them to my doorstep.

Jac

24th April 2006

Some Surprises.....
Normally, I'm not a fan of cover versions, especially when it comes to Radiohead whose music, in my opinion, ought to be sacred. However, I heard Mark Ronson's version of 'Just' on the internet, loved it, and thought I'd check out this compilation - and I wasn't disappointed!

Some of the tracks are duds. You'll find yourself saying 'What were you thinking?!' to your stereo a couple of times because when the covers are bad, they're really bad - but when they're good they're amazing!

If you don't have a wide taste in music you're going to hate this album. Practically all of the covers have a dance/ambient/jazz/funk spin to them so if you're a die-hard-indie-music-only fan I'd give it a miss. If you're a purist you'll be horrified by the way some of the tracks have been changed beyond recognition but for me this was one of the best things about it this album - to see how the lyrics and hooks I know so well have been interpreted and taken to a whole new place.

Mark Ronson's 'Just' is the standout track for me but the soulful 'High and Dry' is a close second. Other notable mentions are 'Blow Out', '(Nice Dream)', 'No Surprises', 'Everything in its Right Place' and 'Airbag'.

Radiohead fans aren't automatically going to like this, and people who like this may not necessarily like Radiohead. But that's just my opinion - I Might be Wrong.

markwezzy
Lutterworth, Leics
20th April 2006

Bin it
I love Radiohead so when I saw that there was an album of covers I thought great I'll get it. Big mistake. This is possibly the worst CD I have ever brought. That is saying something, as my collection is massive dating back to CD's were first invented back in the early eighties.
I may be wrong here but when you cover a song you expect your audience to recognise in some part the song you are covering. I did but only about two of the songs all the others forget it. My favourite Radiohead track of all time is Exit Music (For a Film). The Cinematic Orchestra have completely wrecked it now. I had to listen to the original to make sure they had covered the right track.
I am an old fashioned bloke who likes to browse in a record shop, buy something that takes my fancy then listen to it on the way home in the car. This album nearly got thrown out the window into the ditch. I was disgusted.
Hence a word of warning. If you want a CD that is completely not what you expected buy this. If you like Radiohead avoid - preventing disappointment

freedee
UK
15th April 2006

Even more haunting and spine-tingling than the real thing.
Initially I only heard two tracks of this compilation on the radio which I instantly was interested by. Being a big Radiohead fan I got on to Amazon right away and ordered myself a copy with little hesitation or thought. And...wow! It's great! It took me a couple of plays to get into to it fully, but all in all this is a really well thought out and put together album. There's many a surprise for the listener on this journey through a Radiohead coloured soundcape. If you thought the band's original stuff was haunting and spine-tingling then, give this a listen.

I think the release's concept is to bring out the dancefloor potential of the music but don't let that statement put you off...it certainly isn't cheesy or diluted by mainstream influences...more, very leftfield and experimental but equally listenable and enjoyable to listen to. Some tracks remind me a little of Jonny Greenwood's "Body Song" soundtrack, with its chaotic drum beats and unnerving sound textures.

There is some more...errr...funky? R'n'bish tracks such as the cover of High And Dry by Kuzma, Pete & Bilal, but even this has its moments of weirdness and experimentalism. And right at the track there's a few seconds of accapella strangness which is kind of like the tracks on Bjork's "Medulla".

Will you like this if you're a big Radiohead fan? I think so, yes, as long as you're an open minded Radiohead fan - but I guess that goes without saying!