I am consistently amazed at how popular Radiohead has become. Their music is so complex, abstract even, with time signatures all over the place, influences from Rock, Krautrock & 70s Scandinavian rock, Jazz, Electronica, Ambient, and World Music. How does a band like this sell out stadiums worldwide? Because Thom and Jonny are creative geniuses. They are consistently challenging their sound, taking risks, and never settling for staleness or mediocrity.
I lived in London from 1993-2007 and was able to see them several times at relatively small venues (Astoria, Brixton, Kentish Town) before they exploded. I also saw a few of their bigger shows (a buddy worked at Wembley and got us in + backstage passes! I saw their 'Hail' tour at Earls Court, and miraculously scored tickets to their Portland show on their 'Moon Shaped Pool' tour (+ The Smile when they came around), but when I am standing there listening and see a sea of people (as they open the show with the gorgeous, but slow 'Daydreaming' - I am stumped as to how their complex sound translated to many millions.
Especially when they dropped 'Kid A.' Nobody was prepared for it, 'OK Computer' may have hinted at a change, but nothing sounded like 'Kid A.' They most likely lost many guitar-loving fans who wanted more of 'The Bends,' but they also gained many, many others. As an artist, I fully respected their willingness and boldness (at the height of their career) to take such a creative risk. That's what it's all about. And, let's be honest - Oasis never took any risks. They just cranked out album after album that sounded the same (same with Red Hot Chili Peppers).
To answer your question - here's my order:
*Kid A & In Rainbows (tied 1st).
*Moon Shaped Pool (devastatingly beautiful record. Thom's 'Blood on the Tracks'?)
*The Bends, OK Computer, KOL (tied - over the years I have loved these albums, but some of the tracks are now overplayed and I find myself listening to them far less than the ones above. In fact, I can't remember when I last played OK Computer).
*Hail & Amnesiac (tied - 'Hail' would have been better had they edited it and trimmed it down 'Amnesiac' sounds like outtakes from Kid A).
*Pablo
I would also put the 1st Smile album near the top, as it is essentially a Radiohead album without the other members. Live, the songs really become jazzy (thanks to Tom Skinner- no wonder he was headhunted by Jonny!). As much as I love the first Smile record, however, I have yet to listen to their 2nd. My musical interest and curiosities have been deep in other pots, and it hasn't been calling out to me. I'll get to it eventually, tho.
Michael, wow, thanks for sharing those terrific stories and the discog ranking! I think their creative risk-taking has always been part of Thom and Jonny's appeal as artists. The latter's film scores are yet another layer in that narrative. Also, positioning AMSP as Thom's "Blood on the Tracks" is a great call, makes more and more sense the longer I consider the similarities. Always a pleasure, thanks for reading!!
PS: Make sure you carve out time for that second Smile record--I thought it was even better than the first.
I'll always be partial to "The Bends," and there are moments in my life where "Kid A" is the perfect tonic, but pound for pound, "In Rainbows" might be the best Radiohead album. And that it came out the way it did only cements that status. Great read, and a great reminder that I'm overdue for another listen to this album!
Fantastic article Matt. Radiohead is my 19-yr old son's fave band (there are plenty like him) and while we often talk about In Rainbows, we have never yet discussed HOW it was released. I had kind of forgotten that this was revolutionary at the time. Thanks for nailing that aspect, bringing it back to the fore - and talking about how the music had to live up to the hype that was created out of the anti-hype, and how it did so. Cheers!
I am consistently amazed at how popular Radiohead has become. Their music is so complex, abstract even, with time signatures all over the place, influences from Rock, Krautrock & 70s Scandinavian rock, Jazz, Electronica, Ambient, and World Music. How does a band like this sell out stadiums worldwide? Because Thom and Jonny are creative geniuses. They are consistently challenging their sound, taking risks, and never settling for staleness or mediocrity.
I lived in London from 1993-2007 and was able to see them several times at relatively small venues (Astoria, Brixton, Kentish Town) before they exploded. I also saw a few of their bigger shows (a buddy worked at Wembley and got us in + backstage passes! I saw their 'Hail' tour at Earls Court, and miraculously scored tickets to their Portland show on their 'Moon Shaped Pool' tour (+ The Smile when they came around), but when I am standing there listening and see a sea of people (as they open the show with the gorgeous, but slow 'Daydreaming' - I am stumped as to how their complex sound translated to many millions.
Especially when they dropped 'Kid A.' Nobody was prepared for it, 'OK Computer' may have hinted at a change, but nothing sounded like 'Kid A.' They most likely lost many guitar-loving fans who wanted more of 'The Bends,' but they also gained many, many others. As an artist, I fully respected their willingness and boldness (at the height of their career) to take such a creative risk. That's what it's all about. And, let's be honest - Oasis never took any risks. They just cranked out album after album that sounded the same (same with Red Hot Chili Peppers).
To answer your question - here's my order:
*Kid A & In Rainbows (tied 1st).
*Moon Shaped Pool (devastatingly beautiful record. Thom's 'Blood on the Tracks'?)
*The Bends, OK Computer, KOL (tied - over the years I have loved these albums, but some of the tracks are now overplayed and I find myself listening to them far less than the ones above. In fact, I can't remember when I last played OK Computer).
*Hail & Amnesiac (tied - 'Hail' would have been better had they edited it and trimmed it down 'Amnesiac' sounds like outtakes from Kid A).
*Pablo
I would also put the 1st Smile album near the top, as it is essentially a Radiohead album without the other members. Live, the songs really become jazzy (thanks to Tom Skinner- no wonder he was headhunted by Jonny!). As much as I love the first Smile record, however, I have yet to listen to their 2nd. My musical interest and curiosities have been deep in other pots, and it hasn't been calling out to me. I'll get to it eventually, tho.
Michael, wow, thanks for sharing those terrific stories and the discog ranking! I think their creative risk-taking has always been part of Thom and Jonny's appeal as artists. The latter's film scores are yet another layer in that narrative. Also, positioning AMSP as Thom's "Blood on the Tracks" is a great call, makes more and more sense the longer I consider the similarities. Always a pleasure, thanks for reading!!
PS: Make sure you carve out time for that second Smile record--I thought it was even better than the first.
I second Matt’s assessment: Wall of Eyes >. A Light for Attracting Attention. Happy listening!
In Rainbows discs 1 & 2 are the top of heap. I love Hail to the Thief, Kid A, Amnesiac, OK Computer but i hopelessly love IR.
I'm basically in the same zone as you. OK Computer is a close second for me, Kid A would be third in my Radiohead album rankings. Thanks for reading!
I'll always be partial to "The Bends," and there are moments in my life where "Kid A" is the perfect tonic, but pound for pound, "In Rainbows" might be the best Radiohead album. And that it came out the way it did only cements that status. Great read, and a great reminder that I'm overdue for another listen to this album!
Thanks for reading Matt :) great Matts think alike RE: where this one ranks in the band's catalog.
Fantastic article Matt. Radiohead is my 19-yr old son's fave band (there are plenty like him) and while we often talk about In Rainbows, we have never yet discussed HOW it was released. I had kind of forgotten that this was revolutionary at the time. Thanks for nailing that aspect, bringing it back to the fore - and talking about how the music had to live up to the hype that was created out of the anti-hype, and how it did so. Cheers!