radiohead's style of music had gotten more mature, according to most people, without changing too much. some others felt their songwriting had improved so much it was no longer unrecognizable. the band used more keyboards and acoustic guitar this time, and made a more subtle atmosphere. but electric guitars were the main instrument used on the record. some of radiohead's influences this time were: the post-punk band magazine, the singer-songwriter jeff buckley, morrissey's (former smiths singer) "vauxhall &amp; i", and the music of r.e.m. that band had inspired radiohead from the beginning. radiohead would get a chance to tour with them in summer 1995, after releasing the album. lead singer michael stipe became a friend and mentor to thom, and also a public fan of radiohead. in 1995 he said "they're so good, they're scary".