Radiohead

Radiohead is a band from England, consisting of five members who use electronic elements as well as strong use of guitar or piano rifts. Frontman Thom Yorke is notable for his difficult to understand lyrics (linguistically and in content) and his droopy left eye. Radiohead has been a consistently popular band since their second album, and deserve this because of their musical versatility, emotional depth, and creative music videos.

Here’s a quick review of their albums for your purchasing delight.

Pablo Honey- This album is a terrible example of their musical abilities. They were extremely popular for the brilliant single Creep, but were not ready to produce a full-scale work. This is an attempt at money making by Radiohead’s producers, and an utter failure. There is almost no electronic element, the guitars are discordantly misused, and vocals are negatively off-key, and the songs have no memorability. Creep, the one good song, is completely different. It contains wonderful lyricism, intricate guitar rifts by Johnny Greenwood, and an emotional draw that the entire album lacks. But it gets better!

The Bends- The difference between Radiohead’s initial album and this one is phenomenal. Based on other bands, I have drawn the conclusion that every band needs to be able to screw up on the first album just to understand what they as a band are about and what sounds that want to continue. I have found that most bands whose music is identical to the first album suck tremendously (Britney Spears, The Jonas Brothers, etc.). This album has more harmonious guitars and vocals, a faster tempo, and songs meanings more reminiscent to the genius of Creep. As for music videos, my favorite is Just, which depicts a silent movie storyline of philosophical brilliance, but Street Spirit contains excellent and intriguing special effects in regards to time and space.

OK Computer- This album is similar musically to the Bends, featuring beautiful harmony with heavier use of electronic devices, but with a more political bent in its lyrics. One notable song is Paranoid Android, an odd combination of four radically different songs that magically works in its key signature and transitions, featuring Johnny’s amazing guitar skills. Another fascinating ‘song’ is Fitter Happier, a collage of various 1990’s ad slogans recorded in a disturbing electronic voice.

Kid A- Once again, a move away from pure guitars and towards electronic sounds to manipulate the mood of a song. Examples from this album are Idioteque and The National Anthem. This entire album is rather soothing in sound, with memorable melodies, but utterly unmemorable lyricism. The singing is still beautiful, when it’s there, but you will not be able to remember it later.

Amnesiac- Slouching toward electronica, there is more piano in this mix and a much more emotive, if typically depressing feel. My favorite Radiohead song, You and Whose Army exemplifies the depressing, but not emo, melodic and yet hardcore nature of this album.

Hail to the Thief- My favorite album to date, Hail to the Thief’s title references the cries against the former President Bush’s ascent into the Oval Office. This album takes a huge leap away from the mellow songs of past albums and has a somber yet ironic feel to all of their songs. I am incapable of selecting the best songs on this album for the simple reason that they are all equally desirable.

(The Eraser- Though this is technically a solo album by Thom Yorke, it still contains the lovely Analyse, which I simply cannot ignore. It's basically Radiohead without Johnny's lovely guitar.)

In Rainbows- Featuring more percussion than any of the other albums, In Rainbows maintains a high energy performance of deep emotion. Also, the only way to buy this is with the bonus disc or otherwise you are only experiencing half the album. Off the first disc, Reckoner is a song to unconsciously bob your head to in public without shame. On the second, Last Flowers is eerily beautiful with heavy piano usage that refuses to leave my head.

Final analysis: Buy Hail to the Thief. Give them your money, because they deserve it, unlike most people in the public eye.