Just like they did in the '90s, Radiohead topped a bunch of decade lists with their '00s albums Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows. As the decade comes to a close, however, the band's universal acclaim is waning.
In 2009 alone, everyone from rappers to tween pop stars to indie rock legends have found a reason to complain about the UK experimental rockers. From whining about Thom Yorke's lack of award-show schmoozing to the band's pay-what-you-want model, nearly everyone has had something bad to say about Radiohead.
With the band scheduled to enter the studio in January, there are few signs that Radiohead will be slowing down in years to come. But next time around, they might not be topping the decade-end lists with this kind of reputation.
Here are eight examples of Radiohead hate in '09.
EMI reissues classic Radiohead albums after the band refuses to renew contract with the label
The first major "fuck you" came to Radiohead from their long-time label, EMI. When the band opted not to re-sign after their contract expired, EMI went ahead and reissued all their previous albums. It was a shameless cash grab, and one that the band probably wouldn't have endorsed.
Miley Cyrus disses Radiohead after Grammy snub
After the 2009 Grammys, tween pop sensation Miley Cyrus tried to hang out with Thom Yorke and co. backstage. When they refused, she lashed out to the media, calling them "stinkin' Radiohead." In their defence, Cyrus is easily the most irritating human being on earth.
Kanye strikes out at Radiohead in his VH1 Storytellers appearance
Cyrus wasn't the only one to get snubbed at the Grammys, however. Kanye West also got a cold shoulder from Yorke, which led him to diss the band during his VH1 Storytellers appearance. The diss didn't air on TV, but it will be included on the DVD of the performance, due in February.
Radiohead management advises them to break up
The Radiohead hate was coming from inside the camp, too. In May, it was revealed that the band's own management advised them to break up instead of releasing In Rainbows. Might want to hire some better representation, gents.
Kim Gordon slams the Radiohead pay-what-you-want model
Radiohead's pay-what-you-want model for In Rainbows attracted a lot of attention across the globe. But if anyone deserved to call bullshit on it, it was Sonic Youth vet Kim Gordon, who called the move a "marketing ploy," plain and simple.
DJ Paul Van Dyk blasts the Radiohead pay-what-you-want model
At the opposite end of the musical spectrum, DJ Paul Van Dyk had similar sentiments about the pay-what-you-want model, saying that the idea was "very selfish." That means the band managed to piss off legendary post-punks and trance club dudes in one fell swoop!
Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger hates on Radiohead
This diss from the Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger sort of backfired. The outspoken musician lashed out at the band for their song about WWI vet Harry Patch. Thinking they were associating themselves with music theorist Harry Partch, he lashed out at the band and spent the next month back-pedalling.
Spin suggests that Radiohead "kinda blow"
The most ridiculous of the Radiohead disses came from alt-rock rag Spin. The magazine, which has hosted the band on its cover several times, sought web traffic with a ridiculous editorial in December, suggesting that, among other things, the band "kinda blow."
In 2009 alone, everyone from rappers to tween pop stars to indie rock legends have found a reason to complain about the UK experimental rockers. From whining about Thom Yorke's lack of award-show schmoozing to the band's pay-what-you-want model, nearly everyone has had something bad to say about Radiohead.
With the band scheduled to enter the studio in January, there are few signs that Radiohead will be slowing down in years to come. But next time around, they might not be topping the decade-end lists with this kind of reputation.
Here are eight examples of Radiohead hate in '09.
EMI reissues classic Radiohead albums after the band refuses to renew contract with the label
The first major "fuck you" came to Radiohead from their long-time label, EMI. When the band opted not to re-sign after their contract expired, EMI went ahead and reissued all their previous albums. It was a shameless cash grab, and one that the band probably wouldn't have endorsed.
Miley Cyrus disses Radiohead after Grammy snub
After the 2009 Grammys, tween pop sensation Miley Cyrus tried to hang out with Thom Yorke and co. backstage. When they refused, she lashed out to the media, calling them "stinkin' Radiohead." In their defence, Cyrus is easily the most irritating human being on earth.
Kanye strikes out at Radiohead in his VH1 Storytellers appearance
Cyrus wasn't the only one to get snubbed at the Grammys, however. Kanye West also got a cold shoulder from Yorke, which led him to diss the band during his VH1 Storytellers appearance. The diss didn't air on TV, but it will be included on the DVD of the performance, due in February.
Radiohead management advises them to break up
The Radiohead hate was coming from inside the camp, too. In May, it was revealed that the band's own management advised them to break up instead of releasing In Rainbows. Might want to hire some better representation, gents.
Kim Gordon slams the Radiohead pay-what-you-want model
Radiohead's pay-what-you-want model for In Rainbows attracted a lot of attention across the globe. But if anyone deserved to call bullshit on it, it was Sonic Youth vet Kim Gordon, who called the move a "marketing ploy," plain and simple.
DJ Paul Van Dyk blasts the Radiohead pay-what-you-want model
At the opposite end of the musical spectrum, DJ Paul Van Dyk had similar sentiments about the pay-what-you-want model, saying that the idea was "very selfish." That means the band managed to piss off legendary post-punks and trance club dudes in one fell swoop!
Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger hates on Radiohead
This diss from the Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger sort of backfired. The outspoken musician lashed out at the band for their song about WWI vet Harry Patch. Thinking they were associating themselves with music theorist Harry Partch, he lashed out at the band and spent the next month back-pedalling.
Spin suggests that Radiohead "kinda blow"
The most ridiculous of the Radiohead disses came from alt-rock rag Spin. The magazine, which has hosted the band on its cover several times, sought web traffic with a ridiculous editorial in December, suggesting that, among other things, the band "kinda blow."