Blue Plate Special: Radiohead
Radiohead, an influential English rock band formed in 1985, is known for its experimental music that has significantly shaped alternative rock. When the band broke onto the scene in 1993 with their album Pablo Honey and their massive hit Creep, I was instantly a fan and have followed them ever since. Everyone knows the single, but that song (which the band is sick of) just scratches the surface of their talent IMO.
The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny and Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway, and has been working with producer Nigel Godrich and artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. Their early work gained them international recognition, while albums like “The Bends” and “OK Computer” solidified their critical acclaim. Radiohead’s later albums, such as “Kid A” and “Amnesiac,” marked a shift towards electronic and diverse musical styles. They are also noted for their innovative approach to the music industry, including the pay-what-you-want release of “In Rainbows.”
Radiohead’s achievements include selling over 30 million albums by 2011, winning six Grammy Awards, and receiving multiple Mercury Prize nominations. Their influence extends beyond their music, with their internet-based promotion and distribution methods setting a precedent in the industry. Known for blending various genres like art rock, electronica, and experimental rock, their style originates from Yorke’s songwriting, harmonically developed by Jonny Greenwood and collectively arranged by the band. Radiohead’s diverse influences range from classic rock and jazz to electronic music, shaping their unique sound. Their legacy is marked by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 and recognition as one of the greatest artists by Rolling Stone.
Some of my favorite selections from their catalog:
Creep – from the album Pablo Honey (1993)
Weird Fishes / Arpeggi – from the album In Rainbows (2007)
Pyramid Song – from the album Amnesiac (2001)
Everything In Its Right Place – from the album Kid A (2000)
Fake Plastic Trees – from the album The Bends (1995)
Lotus Flower – from the album The King of Limbs (2011)
Paranoid Android – from the album OK Computer (1997)
Idioteque – from the album Kid A (2000)
Backdrifts – from the album Hail To the Thief (2003)
