The mighty Radiohead machine cranks back into life this year with a live recordings album ‘I might be wrong’ released last Monday and a new album expected in late summer. The godfathers of modern British alternative rock and one time Oxford school friends; midget genius Thom Yorke (on vocals and piano) alongside his behemoth colleague Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar and keyboards) with Ed O’Brien (rhythm guitar and bvs), Colin Greenwood (bass and synth) and Phil Selway (drums).
For me, Radiohead are band that manage to stay both hugely successfully but yet manage to consistently produce awesome music, the later a feat that many a band have fallen foul of reason years...namely the recent sales driven drivels of albums from ‘KoL’ and ‘Muse’ to name a couple. Radiohead headlined Reading festival last year, which I missed, and played a secret gig at Glastonbury in the afternoon at the Park Stage...which despite being at the festival I somehow missed aswell! To apologise to my hero, the original Thom, this weeks ‘feature blog’ is a homage to the band...
Pablo Honey + the Bends...
Radiohead released their first single ‘Creep’ in 92, which was initially unsuccessful but became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their debut album, ‘Pablo Honey’ in 93.The bands popularity rose in the UK further with the release of their second album, ‘the Bends’ in 95. My favourite tracks from these albums have got to be ‘High and Dry’, ‘My Iron Lung’ and ‘Just’ but for me the stand out track from these early albums has got to be ‘Fake Plastic trees’. Never released as a single but none the less it is utterly genius, here is an acoustic version to make your eyes cry with joy...
OK Computer...
Finally receiving the critical acclaim they deserved for 3rd album, OK Computer in 97, propelling them to greater international fame. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation it has often been acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s and by music magazines, most notably Q as the "Greatest album of all time". The album produced some utterly brilliant tracks most notably ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Paranoid Android’ – the later having one of the greatest animated videos in history. My personal favourite song from the album, however, is ‘No Surprises’, I just wish I could hold my breath for as long as Thom...
Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief...
At the turn of the millenium the band released Kid A, which featured artwork from Naomi Klein’s anti-globalisation book ‘No Logo’ (a must read) which was closely followed by Amnesiac in 2001. These albums marked an evolution in Radiohead's musical style as the group incorporated experimental electronic and post punk jazz influences. In 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stones’s list of ‘The Greatest Artists of All Time’...but what do they know? For me they are easily Top 10! While the band's earlier albums were influential on British rock and pop music, musicians in a wide variety of genres have been influenced by their later work. Hail to the Thief was then released in 2003 and was a mix of guitar-driven rock, electronics and lyrics inspired by war. It was also the band's final album for their major record label EMI, selling more then 25million by 2007. Stand out tracks for me from these 3 albums ‘Everything in its right place’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘There There’. Again, just personal preference but ‘Idioteque’ blew my mind when I first heard it: stand up for this one and dance like you’ve just mainlined sugar into your cerebral...
In Rainbows...
Radiohead independently released their seventh album, In Rainbows in 2007. Originally as a download for which fans like me could set their own price to pay...I paid 1p for it, I was in Uni OK? Before it was later released as physical form to critical and chart success. For me this album was a return to the ‘genius’ heights of the Bends and OK Computer, successfully fusing electronic with the ‘Radiohead sound’ of the first 3 albums. Choosing a track was very difficult considering the album is a master piece as a whole: from ‘House of Cards’ and ‘Jigsaw falling into place’. I have decided to go with my all time favourite song by the band, ‘Nude’. As featured on the advert for the 3rd series of skins - which coincidently starts its 5th series tomorrow night on E4 (but will most probably be a let down as with the last 2!). This song is an utterly beautiful, tranquil piece of modern music. Kick back stare out to the horizon, forget EVERYTHING and let your mind unwind...
The eraser...
Radiohead have been fairly quiet of late, their work having appeared in a large number of listener polls and critics' lists but since 2007 the band have been on hiatus to concentrate on other projects and a concept album released this year. Most notably of these project being Thom’s further work on his critically acclaimed 'solo' material, having already released his debut album ‘The eraser’ in 2006 worked on during the 2003-06 hiatus. The album was nominated for both the mercury music prize and a Grammy for ‘Best Alternative Album’ with its mix of beautiful beats and haunting subtle lyrics.The track ‘Analyse’ you might recognise it from featured on the end credits of the movie ‘the Prestige’ (a great movie..mainly cos it stars dave bowie, always a winner!). For me, however the stand out track has got to be 'Black Swan', inspired by the Kid A sessions, its a lyrical masterpiece. Anyway, I hope my little rambling tides a couple of fans over until the new album, enjoy...
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