Radiohead

Listen to Hermia talking about why she loves the band Radiohead.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

I want to talk about Radiohead. For anyone who doesn't know, they are a five-piece indie band from Oxford, England.

I first started to like them since 1997, when they released OK Computer that year. And actually, I bought their album out of scepticism because I used to like to watch this TV programme by this DJ called Wong Chi Chung. And in his programme, he just said that 'It's not the end of the year, but I have to announce that OK Computer is the best album of the year.' And so I just wanted to try and listen to this album to see if it is (was) that great. And after I bought it, I just think (thought) that 'Wow! This is real music!' because it's musically and lyrically great. And Thom Yorke, the frontman of Radiohead, just write(s) songs like a poems (poem) and I think he is very honest and he writes great poetic imageries in the songs. And at that time I just discovered that there are actually many possibilities in music. And they actually started my interest in other genres of music, like ambient, electronic and psychedelic rock and something (things) like that.

They not (didn't) just open my eyes to music, they also open(ed) my eyes to the world. For example, I didn't know there is ... there was a profession called 'graphic design' beforehand. And I just think that their album cover is very good. And later I learned that the cover was made by a graphic designer who is also the band's friend. And then at that time I started to take interest in this field and eventually I got a bachelor degree for (in) it.

They have also widened my horizons to the fullest because they are a very socially responsible band. They care about the Third World debts, fair trade, poverty, global warming and the environment. And they make me think about all these world issues that I have never thought about before. They encourage me to make a difference. This kind of thing, I just think that not any band in the music scene has this (the) guts to care about.

And also, actually, contrary to general belief that Radiohead is depressing, Thom Yorke the frontman is always whining, I actually think that their music is very uplifting and soothing. And also Thom Yorke has (a) heavenly voices (voice). I actually think that their music give me, gives me comfort in the darkest days of my life. And no other band can give me the same powerful consolation than (as) Radiohead. And I think they are the greatest band and always will be.

Task 1

Audio zone: Radiohead – 1

Task 2

Audio zone: Radiohead – 2

Discussion

What is your favourite band or kind of music?

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Topics

entertainment

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I don't have a favourite band or music yet since I'm still discovering what is right for me. However, I like to listen to classical or instrumental music like Ludovico Einaudi, Yiruma or Yann Tiersen.

I prefer listening to classical music when I want to listen to something musical as I don't really have a favorite band or music genre that I could call mine. Sometimes, I would just browse through the videos on YouTube and click on any that looks interesting and if it does suit my mood for that moment then I would let it play until it runs its course.

My favourite band is 'Westlife'.

In addition to this, I think the speaker's intonation in the whole sentence indicates rather such a thing.

Dear Team, I'd like to refer something about this excerpt from the text: ''And also, actually contrary to general belief that Radiohead is depressing, Thom Yorke the frontman is always whining. I actually think that their music is very uplifting and soothing.'' I think the full-stop sign after the ''whining'' it's not only useless, but rather causes problem to the total meaning, i.e, it must be''...contrary to general believe that Radiohead is depressing, (that)Thom Yorke the frontman is always whining, I actually think that their music is very uplifting and sooting''.What do you say about it? Am I right? Thank you in advance.

Hello nikoslado

Yes, you are right -- thanks very much for pointing that out. We are currently revising all of the Audio zone pages, and this revision includes checking the transcripts carefully for accuracy, as well as having them checked by a proofreader. This means that I can't actually fix this error right away, but please trust that it will be fixed within a few weeks.

Thanks again!

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

I have never heard of this group. But I really like listening to music. I listen to her everywhere and always. But I'm a music lover and listen to all the music. But most of all I love rap and pop. But after this text I decided to listen to the Radiohead band, and I will say that I liked this band. Very interesting genre and very good music. It was very interesting that the girl did not know what graphic design was. I also work as a graphic designer, and I looked at their album covers and it is really beautiful, and not usual. I can say one thing, thanks! I discovered a new group that I liked

I don't have any idea what indie music is, but I have listened to some of Radiohead's musics. The one that really impressed me is Creep. It is so special single from the first days of the band I guess. I have listened to it many times. I'm not specialized in music. Actually I don't know the music geners very well, but generally I like rock, metal, pop music. One of my favorite music bands is Muse. They are somehow like Radiohead. I like other singers and bands Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, linkin park before chester passed away, etc. I always listen to music on my way to work or to home, I mean when I walk on the streets or sit on a car,etc. Music helps you to change your mood to feel your pain more or feel it less. According to Madonna "music makes the people come together , music makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel". Music can do anything it shares inthusiasm and impassion people. I always wanted to be a singer I played guitar. I was trying to sing and playing. I wrote my own songs, though I wasn't good at writng music, but I was really good at writing songs and improvision.