Radiohead

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• period
• label
• insane about
• far-fetched

• a dream come true
• far cry
• crack down
• coup

• catch on
• press

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

It’s like a dream come true. One of the biggest bands in the world makes an album and says you can have it, just pay them however much you’d like. It’s such a far cry from the rest of music industry which is panicked over decreasing CD sales and determined to crack down on file sharing.

But in a changing world, why not try something new if you’re able to? Since forming in 1986, Radiohead has been at the forefront of music, mixing rock and electronic sounds into a style that appeals to a lot of people of different ages. But now, with the release of In Rainbow, they’re leading a coup in the music industry as well. Listen to Jason and Devan talk about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Devan

Jason:  So I heard they made the last CD today. The last one. They pressed it. They’re not gonna make anymore.

Devan:  More CDs? In general? Period?

Jason:  Nope. No more. They’re done.

Devan:  No way. You’re kidding.

Jason:  Well yeah. But it might as well be the case.

Devan:  Why’s that?

Jason:  Because CDs are over, man. You know what Radiohead did?

Devan:  I heard about that. The new album…

Jason:  Yeah, they released their album online for free…

Devan:  Well, actually…

Jason:  You can pay as much as you want.

Devan:  Yeah, you can pay as much as you want for it. I heard that people are paying an average of $10 for it. But it goes straight to Radiohead because they don’t…it’s not on their label.

Jason:  Wow, they’re probably making so much more money…

Devan:  Seriously. They’re getting all the money for it! It’s crazy.

Jason:  Wow. People are paying an average of $10. Why do you think that is?

Devan:  Because people are insane about Radiohead. They love them.

Jason:  You think it’s just out of loyalty?

Devan:  I think it’s out of loyalty to the band and probably because they think it’s really cool what they’re doing. They’re letting you pay however much you want for it. I think people think that’s how much they deserve to get.

Jason:  I think it’s cool. I heard Trent Reznor is going to do it, and maybe some other people.

Devan:  Really? So do you think this is like the new way of how music is going to be done?

Jason:  Maybe. I don’t know. But I definitely think it’s exciting. It’s cool to have something new happening, at least.

Devan:  Have you heard the new Radiohead album?

Jason:  Yeah, it’s actually really good.

Devan:  Yeah I heard it too. I like it a lot. It’s real good. But I didn’t pay any money for it.

Jason:  I don’t own it, I just heard it. And I liked it. Yeah.

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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