Who is better, Radiohead or Coldplay? ...why?

Radiohead. because it’s actual music with depth and meaning.

Both are ba*&s , thanks for listening

The users of last.fm will probably say Radiohead and I agree with them. On the other hand more people listen to Coldplay but turn it of faster. Now I got myself confused!

Radiohead > 189 million plays (2,3 million listeners)
Coldplay . . > 129 million plays (2,4 million listeners)

OK Computer (by Radiohead) had a huge impact on music in the late 90’s. Although I have nothing against Coldplay, I don’t think any of their songs inspired other good bands. I believe Coldplay once said Radiohead inspired them to start, and if you ask me it’s too early to say the pupil has outdone the mentor ;) Maybe if Radiohead’s upcoming album (2010) sucks balls.

I don’t think you can really accurately compare them because they don’t fall into the same category. Unless you abide by a genre breakdown akin to Itunes’ super-general, and oft times ridiculous categorization (i.e. labeling groups like Modest Mouse or Oasis as “blues.”)

That being said, I vote Radiohead.

I consider Radiohead’s music more creative than Coldplay’s, especially with glitch influences. And, although Radiohead has a distinct and recognizeable style, their songs are varied. Coldplay’s music often starts to sound the same after a while. In recent years, I think Radiohead’s continued on the experimental, evolutionary path, while Coldplay seems to have moved their style into more mainstream compositions.

Radiohead has always had more meaningful lyrics (to me) than Coldplay, but I don’t care that much for either of them.

Radiohead. Shame on the poster for asking.

I will admit, some of Coldplay’s earlier works were pretty snazzy. But they are no Radiohead, and you remember that, goddamn it.

Radiohead, obviously
Radiohead actually manages to not sound the same since they’ve started. The only band that can top Radiohead in my mind right now would be Velvet Underground
This is like asking:
What would you prefer? A well prepared gourmet meal? Or cheap and sloppy fast food?

Radiohead is a steak dinner with all the fixings and a glass of fine wine.

Coldplay is tepid oatmeal and a sippy cup of juicy juice.

I like listening to Radiohead better. The music sounds more creative and less repetitive to me, and it holds up better to repeat listens. There are some Coldplay songs that I really dig, but just any others that annoy the crap out of me. Also, I have satellite radio at my job. One of the stations became “30 days of Coldplay” a couple months ago, and the band would host the show. They talked about stuff like fame and the artistic process, and how they sometimes get mistaken for ordinary people. Totally pompous.

Why choose? They are both good in their own ways. Anything beyond that statement is subjective. For me, I guess it would be radiohead because I like the unusual sound their music sometimes has. Unique is king.

Come to think of it Radiohead might be the one of a handful of bands that I liked 10 years ago, and still do. That must count for something.

That’s a horrible question. You can’t compare any two bands, even if they’re in the same genre. That said, I like Radiohead more. That doesn’t mean that they’re better. It just means I like them more.

I like Radiohead better. Their willingness to explore outside of the regular pop/rock genres is a great thing to me. Also, I think they seem to know how to work with the cream of the crop of different genres to put their musical ideas across; I’m thinking specifically of the single ”Life in a Glass House”, which they performed with Humphrey Lyttelton, a great British jazz trumpeter and radio presenter, a couple of years before he died. Paul McCartney nicked Lyttelton’s 1955’s “Bad Penny Blues” melody for The Beatles’ “Lady Madonna”.

Plus, IMO, Thom Yorke seems to know how to use his (magnificent) voice better than Chris Martin does. It’s not just that he has a wider vocal range and can hit the notes, but Thom’s voice is more emotionally resonant. He doesn’t use it as just something to put the lyrics out there with, but as an instrument in its own right.

Radiohead- at least as time goes on they make songs that sound different from each other. Not like coldplay.

My vote is Radiohead! I mean the guitar on “I Might be wrong” was absolutely amazing and they show variety which I appreciate. I do listen to Coldplay but when I listen to them its more just background music.

If you have to ask this question you don’t know music. Coldplay (I do like them) sound like every Brit Rock band, ever. Radiohead, well Thom York really, has created completely new music. Radiohead are innovators. They have created a sound all their own that no one will ever be able to reproduce.

Radiohead by a mile

The Verve.

no change, I can change I can changeeeeeee

I know I’m in the minority here, but I prefer Coldplay’s music to Radiohead’s. I recognize and appreciate that Radiohead has influenced a lot of recent music and are “innovators”, but I don’t listen to their music the way I listen to Coldplay. And I would make the argument that Coldplay is at least trying to change things up a bit. The differences between X&Y and Viva La Vida are astounding.

Not trying to pick a fight, just stating my opinion.

Radiohead.

The answer lies in this quote from The 40 Year Old Virgin:

“You know how I know you’re gay? You listen to Coldplay.”

please note: There was absolutely no mention of Radiohead.

Coldplay. Yes, I know this is the minority opinion. No, I ‘m not gay.
They have style, and soaring vocals.

No doubt, it is Radioplay…..I mean Coldhead….oh fuck it, its Muse. When are you going to pipe in Farmer? I know you are the leader of a pretty good band The Aposematics and you guys moonlight as Jon and Andy’s house band, but you don’t just get to ask questions here. Now put the fucking pipe down and pipe in!
Here’s wtf’s top four current UK bands in order (but he don’t know crap about music):
1. Radiohead
2. Muse
3. Snow Patrol
4. Coldplay
And I fuckin’ love Coldplay….seen them live 4 or 5 times but they lack innovation as does Snow Patrol….Muse pushes it and Radiohead keeps raising the fucking bar! Kid A? OK Computer? Rainbows? CLASSICS!
Et tu Mr. Farmer?
See ya….Gary/wtf

Coldplay suck ass man!

Thanks for the nod whatthefluther!

My pick is Radiohead.

Although I have to admit I like Coldplay’s first album (except for ‘Yellow’) and their latest work with Brian Eno on ‘Viva La Vida’.

Radiohead will always have my heart, but I also know some people will just never like Radiohead.

Even Chris Martin (Coldplay’s leading man) believes Radiohead is better than his own band. On that note, Radiohead wins.

Chris Martin on Radiohead:
“We’re like an eager dog just yapping around their heels,’ he adds ‘and they’re trying to kick us away,” he jokes. “It’s like unrequited love. I’m in love with a lot of things. Some of those things love me back. And some of them don’t—and one of them is Radiohead.”

That said, if the discussion were “Who do you think would be nicer in person?” I’d probably say Coldplay.