Maybe Edison was AC/DC

For four years, from 1997 to late 2000, there was a notable, dynamic shift in the mind of Thom Yorke. Perhaps it wasn't instant, and perhaps it was already happening upon the release of the heavily acclaimed OK Computer. But the shift in Radiohead's direction as a musical act was clear upon the release of their fourth studio album Kid A in 2000. In their '97 release, they had relinquished the pop and grunge influences in The Bends and particularly Pablo Honey. Yet upon the release of Kid A, it was clear they were taking a far more experimental take on music, with untenable ideas and songs taking on a life of their own. Everything Is In Its Right Place being a truly unsettling song. It wasn't painful or boring or even formulaic, but it made you feel the opposite of the title. You feel as if everything is in its wrong place. It's a horrific idea.

It was an alarming shift for all the right reasons. Radiohead had caused shock waves in the music world. The Paranoid Android had become The National Anthem. The Karma Police had become Kid A.

Around the time of the release of Kid A, a group of people had assembled in Montreal, Canada, vaguely  resembling the Arcade Fire of today. In 2001 they released a demo, 2003 an EP, 2004 a full length album. They established themselves as kingpins of indie rock, compared to Radiohead in their anthemic manner and their dedication to an album. In 2013, a song was released by a group called The Refektors. It was called Reflektor. They were touring around Canada, playing various Arcade Fire songs on their way. Eventually, it turned out, The Reflektors were Arcade Fire - and they went on to release an album of the same title. It was such a shift from the sprighting The Suburbs, dark Neon Bible and emotionally intense Funeral. The album was born under disco lights, and it remained a success, despite it being so different.

Change in music has always been a frightening concept. Yet it is natural, and has to happen if success is to continue. Or you could have a band like AC/DC, who've released some 12 albums that each sound exactly the same. Apart from Back in Black. That album's awesome.

The Bridge Over Troubled Water

A lot of people have social troubles: making friends, making conversation, general introversion has a large toll on people. Extreme extroversion can easily have similar effect on a person. but it's negatives are usually as a result of reciprocation from surrounding people, rather than the lack of it. The concept of social anxiety is abstract to the majority, this forces extremes into a vicious cycle of being misunderstood and falling deeper into their anxiety.

A famous example of this would be of Meg White. An incredibly skilled musician who suffered extreme introversion alongside her former partner Jack White, who by contrast was far more extroverted. It was apparent in interviews and during live performances touring as The White Stripes, Meg was quiet. Eventually, they disbanded and Meg disappeared, without explanation. A tragic ending, but in 18 years, when The White Stripes are inevitably inducted to the Rock and Roll hall of fame, we may see her one last time.

People are truly shaken and troubled by social anxiety, and it can tear down their lives. A while ago, I was lucky enough overcome an anxiety, interact with my sister and her friends, and genuinely have a fun social experience. I found a way to move past this and achieve a more comfortable manner; it was truly wonderful.

This led me to question what the bridge is that can carry you over the troubled water. What can support a person to release themselves from their self-made cage?