
Well, alas, we had our chance with Radiohead, but the effort to turn them into 'The Next Big Thing' basically ended with 'Kid A'. I think it highlights exactly why out culture is so skewed today- a band, arguably the greatest in the world, makes a deep, psycho(logical) record, and while they gain respect from the alternative community, their prospects of affecting society are thwarted. They are on the outside.

Now, it's ironic, but while Radiohead complains about being on the outside, they may have intentionally re-placed themselves there with their recent material. Now, either the brilliant 'Kid A' was too far out to be accpeted, or Thom and the band would rather be far-out than try to reconcile the garbage of pop-culture.
It seems to me that with such an incredibly wealthy, glossed-over society, the weight of tons and tons of sugar and shit, or rather pop and rap, may drown out real music, and force it to become alternative.
Does it disturb anyone here that the only good music has to beconsidered 'alternative' to the mainstream?
If you campare 'Nevermind' to 'Kid A' you find that they are both alternative, but Nevermind is still basically rock. And it could be almost catchy.
Alternative today is deeper and deeper, and because of the utter hopelessnness of pop music, it is adopting a new mentality- most real music must not be accepted if it is heard. It is diginified and defit to resist trying to reconcile an institution that is far beyond repair.
This quote from Thom Yorke, whie referring to the melancholy of his songwriting, really sums it up: "Most people don't go down tunnels unless there is sunshine at the end. This just gives the rest of us more elbow room."
Without the need for good music to be accepted, it matures. I think the quote in my signature also relates ot this.