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Staff
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Last Active 01-10-23 3:58 pm
Joined 05-13-09
Review Comments 27,460
| People's Guide To Radiohead
Devised by yours truly, for anyone who needs an entry point. | | 1 |  | Radiohead
Pablo Honey
Genre: alt-rock, grunge.
My Rating: 2.5/5.
Notes: Not recommended as a first album, or possibly even as "curious listening". Pablo Honey is without a doubt Radiohead's weakest studio album, but it did spawn what might be their greatest hit (even more so now with Rock Band), "Creep". Other than a select few other tracks, though, Pablo Honey is a weak listen, especially when compared with the other albums in Radiohead's discography.
Suggested Tracks: You, Creep, Thinking About You, Stop Whispering. | | 2 |  | Radiohead
The Bends
Genre: alt-rock, grunge.
My Rating: 4/5.
Notes: The entry point for many Radiohead fans. If you like alt/grunge bands of the '90s such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or even the Smashing Pumpkins, this album is necessary. It is similar to Pablo Honey in style but much better in execution, though a bit overrated in my opinion.
Suggested Tracks: High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, (Nice Dream), Just, Street Spirit (Fade Out). | | 3 |  | Radiohead
OK Computer
Genre: alt-rock.
My Rating: 5/5.
Notes: Where Radiohead came into their own. Probably considered their magnum opus by the most people. If you enjoy the alt-rock shown by bands such as Coldplay and Muse (both which are heavily influenced by Radiohead), this album is essential.
Suggested Tracks: Paranoid Android, Exit Music (For a Film), Let Down, Karma Police, No Surprises. | | 4 |  | Radiohead
Kid A
Genre: experimental, electronic.
My Rating: 5/5.
Notes: Possibly my favorite Radiohead album, where Radiohead reinvented themselves as a challenging and experimental band. A constantly engaging and exciting experience, listening to Kid A is witnessing something truly great. However, Kid A isn't really a common entry point to Radiohead for most people. If you like the music of Warp Records artists such as Autechre and Aphex Twin, and also want to hear a little of the art-rock that was apparent in records such as OK Computer, listen to this.
Suggested Tracks: Everything in Its Right Place, The National Anthem, How to Disappear Completely, Optimistic, Motion Picture Soundtrack. | | 5 |  | Radiohead
Amnesiac
Genre: experimental, electronic.
My Rating: 4/5.
Notes: Quite simply, B-sides from Kid A. These are songs recorded in the same sessions that didn't make it onto Kid A. However, don't let that fool you: sometimes, this record is almost as rewarding as Kid A. Pyramid Song is simply one of their best songs ever, and Life in a Glass House is a very exciting and jazzy song. Get Kid A before this, and if you enjoy that record, get this afterwards.
Suggested Tracks: Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box, Pyramid Song, Knives Out, Life in a Glass House. | | 6 |  | Radiohead
Hail to the Thief
Genre: experimental, art-rock, alt-rock.
My Rating: 4/5.
Notes: Hail to the Thief shows Radiohead going back in a more guitar-oriented direction, and while possibly being their weakest release since Pablo Honey, it's still a strong record. It's also probably their most sprawling release, having 14 songs, all with completely different moods and environments. I would not suggest getting this first, however.
Suggested Tracks: 2+2=5, There There, A Wolf at the Door. | | 7 |  | Radiohead
In Rainbows
Genre: all over the place.
My Rating: 5/5.
Notes: I think this may be Radiohead's best release. Absolutely consistent, with no diluted "experiments" to drag them down. Each song is amazing. I'm also fairly positive that Weird Fishes/Arpeggi is, in fact, their best song. Get this if you want a taste of everything.
Suggested Tracks: Nude, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, All I Need, Jigsaw Falling Into Place. | |
robertsona
09.03.09 | btw most of the suggested tracks are ones that are agreed upon to be the best, though sometimes i threw in my personal favorites (e.g. "(Nice Dream)") | robin
09.03.09 | httt is so awesome. | Titan50
09.03.09 | Good guide. I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd say In Rainbows is their worst release aside from Pablo Honey. Mostly because Nude and House of Cards are so goddamn boring | robertsona
09.03.09 | oh god, i love radiohead so much
p.s. condensed version if you like grunge get the bends if you like alt-rock get ok computer if you like electronic/experimental get kid a if you like everything get in rainbows | shindip
09.03.09 | 7 is definitely not a 5 | Tulannical
09.03.09 | i agree w/ all almost all of this. @Titan50, In Rainbows is awesome. | PuddlesPuddles
09.03.09 | Don't understand the hate for Pablo Honey. Really don't. | blabony
09.03.09 | good job...
I love you for #7 many people underrate it | robertsona
09.03.09 | oops, meant i love 'in rainbows' so much
also, pablo honey isnt a bad record per se and has some awesome songs (the ones i listed, plus prove yourself, plus the first half of blow out) but it's just a bland listen and pales in comparison to the others
but it's not shit or anything, it's kinda close to a 3/5 | Boognish
09.03.09 | In rainbows is one of those albums i can safely say is 'good', but i never want to hear it again | EVedder27
09.03.09 | nice list. this sort of applies to me since i just got ok computer 2 days ago. getting kid a soon | Yotimi
09.03.09 | Agree with Titan that In Rainbows is their second worst. Nothing really "wows" me like on the other albums. Good guide though for the most part. | Titan50
09.03.09 | " @Titan50, In Rainbows is awesome."
Never said it was bad, it's a 3.5 for me. Just those two bring it down | Yotimi
09.03.09 | Just to clarify, I like it too, just nothing that special. | MUNGOLOID
09.03.09 | cool list. i only heard 2 & 7. | intoliquidsky
09.03.09 | nude is boring?
| Titan50
09.03.09 | nothing actually happens in it | robertsona
09.03.09 | just because it doesn't ~*~RoCk OuT~*~ doesnt mean nothing happens. it's calm but very beautiful | robertsona
09.03.09 | in a way, that's why i love it. i definitely wouldnt say 'playing it safe', however, i just felt that they were coming into their own, just trying to make...well...music. kid a was kind of this whole thing that was more about reinvention, however brilliant it was, then just making some great music. in rainbows showed them just being a band, and a damn good one. | robertsona
09.03.09 | really? i'd say it's one of their most varied records and really shows a bunch of influences | DaveyBoy
09.03.09 | Kudos for the great write-up Alex.
I like 'The Bends', but that's just me. | kitsch
10.25.09 | amnesiac is their best album | robertsona
10.25.09 | some say
i'd say it's a good enough bet to get kid a first but whatever | robertsona
10.25.09 | amnesiac is good btw it doesnt flow enough for me to be one of their best
i've never liked like spinning plates and i really hate pulk/pull revolving doors, it's the first of their experimental songs that sounds just like theyre trying too hard
i also dont like hunting bears
in addition dollars and cents is eh
rest is pretty prime though | kitsch
10.25.09 | all of those tracks that you mentioned are the main reasons why i love it. | robertsona
10.25.09 | really
not knives out or pyramid song or life in a glasshouse or packt? strange | Piglet
10.25.09 | i totally agree with In Rainbows. I didn't think it much when i first obtained it, but damn the album after a few listens feels like a jigsaw falling into place | DiceMan
10.25.09 | I have 3 and 4 on order from amazon. A friend is supposed to give me 7. I don't feel like I'm missing much other than that. | robertsona
10.25.09 | those are their best albums and the ones that show the most range (i.e. youll be able to pick out what you like about radiohead)
so yeah youre good | kitsch
10.25.09 | i love every single track, its my favorite album of all time. packt and glasshouse are great. so are knives and pyramid. i really cant rank that album. |
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