Pablo Honey was Radiohead's first album and it was a great one. Pablo Honey was probably Radiohead's worst album, although it is brilliant. The album had a sort of grungy feel to it, but when you listen, you hear just as much U2 and Jane's Addiction influence as you do Nirvana or the Pixies. The album has some depressing and sad numbers, some uplifting ones, and some catchy poppy songs. This is the album that included the band's breakthrough hit, "Creep". There is a lot more to this album than "Creep" and you will hear it if you listen to the album.
You- A fairly decent album opener. The opening riff is great. Thom's voice is ok, but to be honest, I've never felt that this song had a lot of passion. It's not bad, there are some great guitar parts in it, probably the highlight. Phil has some good drumming too. 3/5
Creep- Creep is an excellent song, very heartfelt, about some girl that Thom liked at college, but she wanted nothing to do with him. A good bassline and guitar part. Before the chorus, you can hear Jonny making clanging sounds with his guitar, which he originally used to sabotage the song, because he hated it. Although he did this to wreck the song, in my opinion, it made the song. There is also a good piano part towards the end of the song. A great song, but not the best on the album, which some may think. 4/5
How Do You?- This song is one of the most grungy on the album, while still maintaning a very "Brit Rock" sound. It's rather short and probably not a big accomplishment. I don't really have much to comment on this song. 2.5/5
Stop Whispering- This would be the best song on the album, if it wasn't for the next track. I love this song as much as some of Radiohead's later works. There are some interesting guitar, drum and bass parts, but the thing that really makes the song is Thom's voice. There is so much passion in this song, with a great chorus. Radiohead's U2 influence becomes very apparent towards the end of the chorus in this song. 5/5
Thinking About You- I don't think that there is a song on this album that comes close to this track. The song title describes the song very well. The lyrics seem to just be Thom's thoughts about someone. This is probably the song that mostly showed Radiohead's potential, and showed the amazing, awesome and brilliant band that they would turn out to be. All on acoustic guitar with a few clean electric lead parts. 5/5
Anyone Can Play Guitar- Probably the poppiest song on the album. The song is very catchy and predictable. There is some great call and response between Thom and Jonny on electric guitar. A very memorable chorus. The song is about Thom's love for his guitar....and who can blame him?? 4/5
Ripcord- There is nothing in this song that is peticularly worth noting, execpt Thom's voice. At times he sounds angry like he wants to break something, and then cuts back to a small shy voice. Great stuff. 3/5
Vegetable- There is a pretty catchy line in this song "I will not control myself". Other than that, there is a great guitar solo, and some awesome sounding feedback in true Nirvana/Pixies style. Great song, with Thom's voice being the main highlight again. 4/5
Prove Yourself- For some reason, I very much enjoy the drumbeat in this song, and some of the lead guitar lines. This song is very good in itself, but it starts to sound the same by this time in the album. I don't think there is anything great about this song. 2.5/5
I Can't- This song is quite boring, possibly the worst of the album. But the bass in it is great and there are some good things done with feedback here. The guitars are decent as well. Thom's voice isn't so great here IMO. 3/5
Lurgee- This song is great. A more reflective song, which again, shows Radiohead's U2 influence. Some good lyrics in here and fitting guitar parts and solo. I like this song a lot and I consider it to be one of the best on the cd. Thom's voice is great as usual. 4.5/5
Blow Out- Good song, cool name. I think this song has a bit of a Police influence, some screechy stuff on guitar. I think this song has a pretty different sound to some of the other songs on the album. Thom does great things as usual and the guitars are good. The rhythm section in this song is great. 3/5
Because of all the not so special tracks on this album, I can't give it a 5/5 or even a 4/5. But because of Thinking About You and Stop Whispering, I will give it a 3.5/5.
Final Rating: 3.5/5
