Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i:he (Samecock MTV2 debuts new Radiohead album By DavidBauder Associated Press i NEW YORK — For nearly an hour re cently, the video channel MTV2 aired a film of something many viewers had probably never seen: a record album spin ning on a turntable, the needle inching toward the center. To accompany the visual, MTV2 played “Kid A,” a new album by the rock band Radiohead that arrives in stores Tues day. Not just one song, but 10 of them. The whole album. About a dozen radio stations are al so playing the album from start to finish. The approach, a quaint throwback to the days of giant headphones and shag carpets, is a sign of respect for Radiohead and, perhaps, of a backlash in the music industry against short attention spans and the dominance of hit singles. Radiohead is encouraging listeners to treat the album as a unified piece of art. They aren’t releasing a single, or making a video to accompany any of its songs. “We don’t have time like we used to,” said Chris Hulford, Radiohead’s man ager. “There are certain things that are great for moving fast. But Radiohead is all about taking things slowly and getting people into it slowly.” The British band’s last album, “OK Computer,” was critically hailed as a rock landmark and, without the benefit of a hit single, sold 1.7 million copies. This week’s release of the follow-up has been eagerly awaited. Led by the eerily beautiful voice of Thom Yorke and vaguely reminiscent of Pink Floyd, Radiohead’s music can sdund strange yet rewards repeated listening. Rolling Stone magazine describes “Kid A” as a “space-rock opera.” Musicians still make albums, of course, even concept albums. Yet with so many entertainment options compet ing for attention, if there’s no hit single being played on the radio, albums fre quently go unheard. Long popular in Europe, compila tion discs that string together hit singles of various artists have recently started selling well in the United States. CD players also give listeners the chance to skip over songs they don’t like at the press of a remote control button, or to program out the unfamiliar alto gether. With records, such a chore re quired getting up, going over to the turntable, and moving the needle. “Kid A” isn’t a concept album. But it was programmed to flow smootlily, and tracks with more commercial potential were left off it they didn’t fit the sound, Hulford said. “They ’re not trying to lead any new sort of political front to make albums more popular,” he said “They enjoy al bums. They enjoy the piece of work. The concept where you sell an album on the back of one or two singles and the rest is just padding is complete anethe ina to them.” Capitol Records, counting on the al bum to be a big seller during the holi days, organized listening parties to give fans a sneak preview. The company is making sure listening posts are set up in many stores so fans can sample before they buy, said Rob Gordon, the compa ny’s vice president of marketing. MTV2 had never played an entire al bum before, but agreed when Radiohead’s representatives approached station ex ecutives. “This was a band whose past track record shows they are very important and like to take risks,” said David Cohn, general manager of MTV2. “We listened to this new record and felt it was hap pening again.” Perhaps this example will give oth er artists the incentive to take risks, Cohn said. “It is unique and refreshing in this day and age that a band is looking at the whole album,” he said. “Many artists probably think they are and probably are writing an album as a whole. But they don’t market it that way.” SPENDING MONEY? BOOKS? TUITION? ENTERTAINMENT? NEED EXTRA CA$H? DATES? GAS MONEY? CLOTHES? BILLS? • ■'k EARN CA$H AND SAVE LIVES DONATING PLASMA a UP TO $200 n A MONTH! MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YRS. OLD, AT LEAST 110 LBS., AND HEALTHY BRING PICTURE ID AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD SERA-TEC PLASMA CENTER 1916 TAYLOR STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201 _ 803-254-6683_ i— -1 Register Now Earn a full semester's credit in just eight weeks with Midlands Technical College's mini-semester. Classes start October 16 and end December 11. More than 80 classes are available in the mini semester. Many Midlands Technical College classes transfer to the University of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.midlandstech.com or call (803) 738-8324. Learn differently. Work differently. No Late Fee m'W Midlands A # Technical College I_ • State of the art Fitness Center • Multi-station Computer Lab • Fax and modem station linked to USC campus •Study area • Two on-site laundry facilities • Spacious 1,2, & 3 bedroom apartments •Swimming pools •Tennis courts • Catering to students [•Lounge Area ' ~ ‘ 24hr maintenance Most ISC » l Students have * 0to4 drinks when they Party! \