I would argue that comparing to two writers in the first place is absurd, no matter which side you're own. Their approach to writing is vastly different. It's unlikely that Sufjan would write a song like "Everything in its Right Place" or "Reckoner". Yorke would never write a song like "Casimir Pulaski Day" or "Come On, Feel the Illinoise!" All of those songs have their own merits. They're so far apart though that comparing the songwriting ability doesn't make much sense to me.

quote:

Originally posted by goathouse:
That's because it has revealed itself as a grower with about a gestation period of 4 good spins with one or two in the car driving.

..and then after the 6th listen you realise that it's not that good.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
Absolutely muso. You described perfectly how I feel about Rainbows.

Hey, I guess now that you are registered, you might as well join us in the other conversations too. You seem to have a good analytical mind on your shoulders.

Thanks Shadrach, I guess I might poke my head in now and then.

As for songwriting, lyrics are overrated anyway. Take Radiohead. Sure Thom's lyrics really enhance their songs, but with that level of genius on display, he could've ooh-ed and aah-ed his way through everything (which he often does with his mumbling / voice distortion anyway) and gotten away with it. Few musicians have really stood out for me in terms of their lyrical genius - Eminem is one, The Decemberists, Weird Al Yankovich... maybe.

But I digress, both Illinois and In Rainbows have lyrics that suit the particular album's musical style. Marks to Illinois for using lyrics to greater effect - sometimes to bring out emotionality in the songs, at others to juxtapose stark meaning unto innocuously sweet melodies.

quote:

If you think that 'Eraser' is superior to 'illinoise', I'll be very surprised.

I like "eraser" much better than "illinois"
Sufjan makes me feel like I'm having male pms

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

quote:

If you think that 'Eraser' is superior to 'illinoise', I'll be very surprised.

I like "eraser" much better than "illinois"

Suddenly, your handle makes perfect sense.

quote:

Originally posted by hudson:

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

quote:

If you think that 'Eraser' is superior to 'illinoise', I'll be very surprised.

I like "eraser" much better than "illinois"

Suddenly, your handle makes perfect sense.

Ow! I'm burning from that!
I'll try and avoid some crappy bruce willis in "Hudson Hawk" joke and just look the other way

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

Sufjan makes me feel like I'm having male pms

Sounds like you need to get in touch with your feminine side. Granted, Sufjan isn't a macho man, and you don't hear crunchy guitars and instrumentation that trys to prove how tough he is. Because that's not his message. Sufjan's message comes from the heart, not from his testosterone levels.

quote:

Granted, Sufjan isn't a macho man, and you don't hear crunchy guitars and instrumentation that trys to prove how tough he is.

you could say the same thing about Liberace

yeah i appreciate what Sufjan does, i just do not like it. Its basically folk music. I don't like folk music for the most part.
It's comparing a new album from one of the greatest bands of our time to a year old concept album from one man, a highly ambitious man at that, thats released a couple of well-received albums. come to think of it, this thread doesn't make any sense at all, like all things art-related, it will come down to personal taste. I don't know where I'm going with this so I'll stop.
Sufjan sucks! Cause I say so

id say illinoise but i think im letting the fact that this is 'his album' while in rainbows isnt radiohead's 'abum', but if i were to be objective..it would be..im not sure..

this is certainly a ridiculous comparison

you have to be in the right mood to hear and aprreciate "illinoise".

Like FKA, Illinoise was my top album of '05, but it's slid down the list since then. I appreciate it sure, but In Rainbows is perfectly polished and paced, where Illinoise is a bit too long.

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

quote:

Granted, Sufjan isn't a macho man, and you don't hear crunchy guitars and instrumentation that trys to prove how tough he is.

It's comparing a new album from one of the greatest bands of our time to a year old concept album from one man, a highly ambitious man at that, thats released a couple of well-received albums.

I'm not a big fan of Sufjan, but am I the only one who sees something strange with this statement?

i picked illinoise, but honestly they are both overrated

I still think this poll is stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by modestaretaloger:
I still think this poll is stupid.

It's a great poll! Next up will be my best topic yet, "It Still Moves" vs "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga."

Could we do mine first?

It's going to be:

The Marshall Mathers LP vs You Forgot it in People

Because the genres are basically the same...

Ys vs. the newest slipknot album

Gagagagagagaga, You Forgot it in People, and that last one, well... I'm afraid they're just far too close to separate, I'm abstaining.

Strangely, my favorite Yorke lyrics are:

"There, are, two colors in my head"

... it's just the way he says it. Or something. Or maybe I'm just crazy. I voted Illinoise but Thom Yorke is one of the greatest lyricists of all time and Eraser is a testament to that.