Radiohead read on

I like Radiohead quite a bit but the one thing I don't like is that their whole catelog is compressed dynamic range wise and I don't mean just a little.  What's up with that?  

The usual in regards to how modern recordings are made in an attempt to please as many listeners as possible. Recording industry would have real problems if they did not keep up with the times and do that. FBOFW. Most Radiohead is an interesting listen beyond just dynamics.

Another group that I like a lot in recent years with a penchant for experimentation and delivering good results on their recordings is The Flaming Lips. These guys have been around forever and do not get the credit or recognition they deserve IMHO most likely because they can get really far out there at times and never seem deterred which I admire. They can make Pink Floyd in their early days seem downright mainstream.  Their album "Embryonic"  is perhaps my favorite.   It is to music of its time kinda what the Beatles White Album was back in its day.

Sorry to disagree, Mapman, but music is ALL about dynamics. You can throw all the rest of the stuff away. You know, frequency response, bass response, resolution, all of it. If you can tolerate elevator music more power to you.

Well dynamics are a big part of it.  Certainly not all.   If it does not sound good enough, well then either don't listen or figure out a way to make it better.

I have all of there albums except the numerous singles they've released. Lately I find myself listening to there latest release (now years old) much more than the others. I didn't like that album much at first listen, but now truly admire it & it is recorded well. I wouldn't say it's there best (IMO that would be OK Computer), but it is very good. As far as sonics, there 45rpm single release of "paranoid android" is spectacular.  I'll have to check out MUSE. The only reason I never had is one of my daughters weird friends had that sticker on the back of her car :-)