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'''Radiohead''' are a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[alternative rock]] band from [[Oxford]] and nearby [[Abingdon, England|Abingdon]]. |
'''Radiohead''' are a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[alternative rock]] band from [[Oxford]] and nearby [[Abingdon, England|Abingdon]]. |
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The band's style is notable for its variety and versatility, which can be explained partly through the musical accomplishment and eclectic musical tastes of its members. Lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, is currently the BBC's Composer in Residence and is adept at numerous instruments aside from the guitar, such as the [[Ondes Martenot]] and harmonica. Ed O'Brien, apart from his normal duties as guitarist and vocalist, is a skilled drummer. Thom Yorke, lead singer and pianist also plays several different instruments including guitar. Though Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood hold the main creative influence within the band, [[songwriting]] is chiefly a collaborative effort, though such roles have become less distinct in recent times. For example, Colin Greenwood was particularly influential in writing "Dollars and Cents" from album ''[[Amnesiac]]''. |
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This spirit of creative collaboration is also shown in the band's close relationship with [[record producer|Producer]] John Leckie and, particularly, [[Nigel Godrich]], who has worked with the band since the recording of ''[[The Bends]]'' and has often been dubbed the "sixth member" of the band. However, this collaboration ended following the completion of the Radiohead's last offering, ''[[Hail to the Thief]]''. [[Graphic art|Graphic artist]] [[Stanley Donwood]] is another candidate for "sixth member". He has produced, with Yorke's help, all of the artwork for the band since their ''[[My Iron Lung]]'' [[EP (format)|EP]]. He also has a great deal of influence over the public image of the band and input into the themes and concepts of Yorke's lyrics. When collaborating with Donwood, Yorke often takes on the [[alias]] of "Tchock", "Tchocky", or "Dr. Tchock". |
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==Lineup== |
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*[[Thom Yorke]]: lead vocals, [[acoustic guitar]], [[rhythm guitar]], [[piano]] and [[laptop]] |
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*[[Jonny Greenwood]]: [[lead guitar]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[modular synthesizer]], [[Ondes Martenot]], [[glockenspiel]] and [[laptop]] |
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*[[Ed O'Brien]]: supplemental guitar, [[effects pedals]], backing vocals, auxiliary [[Percussion_instrument|percussion]] |
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*[[Colin Greenwood]]: [[bass guitar]], keyboards, [[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]], and [[synthesisers]] |
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*[[Phil Selway]]: [[drums]], percussion |
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== Overview == |
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{{main|Radiohead overview and influence}} |
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Radiohead are regarded as being among the most fearlessly creative and popular bands of their era. In general, their music is more complex than that of other pop musicians, incorporating a wide range of influences across [[genres]] and time periods, but they identify with the [[punk rock|punk]] and [[post-punk]] movements rather than with [[progressive rock]]. |
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Radiohead have sometimes been cited as an "[[outsider]]" band within the [[mainstream]], or vice versa. Some fans assume the band to be the natural inheritors of the mantle of [[R.E.M.]], [[Pink Floyd]] or even [[The Beatles]], though Radiohead have not enjoyed the same commercial success as these groups; [[Pink Floyd|Pink Floyd's]] ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'' has so far sold over 40 million copies worldwide, whereas Radiohead's much-acclaimed ''[[OK Computer]]'' has sold just over 8.4 million copies. However, reportedly members of these bands cited Radiohead numerous times as one of the greatest modern rock bands. Examples include [[Michael Stipe]] (at one point a quasi-mentor to Thom), who is a great fan of the band's work, and [[Paul McCartney]], who lists them as one of his favourite acts. |
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Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood are chiefly responsible for [[songwriting]], with Yorke initiating a song and Greenwood developing it, though the entire band is often involved. They all contribute lyrical and artistic ideas to each step of writing and recording music. |
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All five members are highly respected musicians. Jonny Greenwood in particular is an incredibly talented and versatile musician; he is currently the BBC's Composer in Residence and is adept at numerous instruments aside from the guitar, notably the [[Ondes Martenot]], harmonica and many that have never been recorded. Ed O'Brien, apart from his normal duties as guitarist, is a gifted drummer as well. |
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This versatility and openness in the band has grown more pronounced over time. In recent years, especially, band members have embraced less clearly defined roles in the band. For example, [[bassist]] Colin Greenwood wrote much of "Dollars & Cents", a track on ''[[Amnesiac]]'', by playing string [[sampling (music)|samples]] from [[Alice Coltrane]]'s work on top of a simple [[bassline]], inspiring his brother Jonny's subsequent [[arrangement]]. Yorke switched to bass guitar on the song "The National Anthem". During an average live show one can expect all of them, with the exception of drummer Phil Selway, to play an assortment of instruments. |
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[[record producer|Producer]] [[Nigel Godrich]] has worked with the band since the recording of ''[[The Bends]]'', where he assisted producer [[John Leckie]]. He has contributed significantly to their sound, and has often been dubbed the "sixth member" of the band. However, after 5 recorded LPs and numerous EPs with the band, he won't contribute to Radiohead's follow-up to ''[[Hail to the Thief]]''. [[Graphic design|Graphic artist]] [[Stanley Donwood]] is another candidate for "sixth member". He originally met Yorke at the [[University of Exeter]] and has produced, with Yorke's help, all of the artwork for the band since their ''[[My Iron Lung]]'' [[EP (format)|EP]]. He also has a great deal of influence over the public image of the band and input into the themes and concepts of Yorke's lyrics. Yorke is always credited under an [[alias]], usually "Tchock", "Tchocky", or "Dr. Tchock", when collaborating with Donwood. The two also created the band's official website together at [http://www.radiohead.com/ Radiohead.com]. |
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Early influences include [[The Beatles]], [[Cardiacs]] (whom the band supported early in their career), [[The Smiths]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Joy Division]], [[Pixies]], [[Talking Heads]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[U2]], [[Jeff Buckley]], [[Big Star]], [[King Crimson]], [[Roxy Music]], [[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]], [[Queen]], [[Nirvana]] and [[the Jam]], among others. Later influences have included jazz musicians like [[Charles Mingus]], [[Miles Davis]], [[Ornette Coleman]] and [[Krautrock]] pioneers such as [[Kraftwerk]], [[Neu!]] and [[Can (band)|Can]], whose song "Thief" Radiohead have covered live. [[Electronic music]] artists like [[Aphex Twin]], [[Squarepusher]], and [[Autechre]] have also been cited as important influences on ''Kid A'' and ''Amnesiac''. The work of Polish composer [[Krzysztof Penderecki]] informed some of Radiohead's string-oriented songs such as "How To Disappear Completely", but more significantly, French composer [[Olivier Messiaen]], who made much use of the Ondes Martenot, is a longtime idol of Jonny Greenwood, whose work is held in high regard by the band. Members of Radiohead are also fans of [[reggae]], [[dub reggae]], and classic [[soul music]], particularly [[Booker T. & the M.G.'s]] for Colin. The band have expressed love for [[OutKast]] and old school hip-hop. Artists they have invited to [[open]] for them on tour include [[Sigur Rós]], [[Supergrass]], [[Spiritualized]], [[Sparklehorse]], [[Beck]], [[Stephen Malkmus]] (of Pavement), [[Low]], [[Clinic]], [[Four Tet]] and the [[Beta Band]], among others. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===(1986–1991) Formation and first years=== |
===(1986–1991) Formation and first years=== |
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The Radiohead story began in the mid-Eighties at [[Abingdon School]], a private boys-only school located just outside the city of Oxford, which mild-mannered drummer Phil Selway, guitarist Ed O'Brien, guitarist/vocalist Thom Yorke, bassist Colin Greenwood and Colin's multi-instrumentalist brother Jonny all attended. The five of them formed a band after they began practicing in the school's music room, with the initial name of 'On a Friday'. On a Friday played their first gig in August 1986, at Oxford's Jericho Tavern. |
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[[Image:Curfewcover.jpg|thumb|right|''On A Friday'']] |
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The Radiohead story began in the mid-Eighties at [[Abingdon School]], a private boys-only school located just outside the city of Oxford. Mild-mannered drummer Phil Selway was a year above guitarist Ed O'Brien and guitarist/vocalist Thom Yorke, bassist Colin Greenwood a year below them, and Colin's multi-instrumentalist brother Jonny two years below him. Though the five didn't know each other that well, they began meeting up in the school's music department, which Yorke describes as "great—no one came down there, and there were these tiny rooms with soundproofed cubicles". Colin remembers Abingdon's music school as a place "where we would all run and hide away from the tedious conformity of timetables and uniforms". It wasn't long before the boys formed a more or less permanent band, playing music heavily influenced by acts like [[Joy Division]], [[Pixies]], [[Magazine (band)|Magazine]], [[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]], [[Elvis Costello]] and [[The Smiths]]. After trying and ditching a series of names, they finally settled on ''On A Friday'' in honour of the day they regularly rehearsed. They rehearsed on Friday because they had school every other day. The band played their first gig in August 1986, at Oxford's Jericho Tavern (the gig was recorded by the late, great Michael Gerzon who was well known in and around the Oxford area for his many live recordings that he made. The tape is now part of the Michael Gerzon collection in The British Library, National Sound Archive). Jonny Greenwood, Colin's younger brother, became the final addition to the band when Colin took him along to rehearsals as a shortcut to babysitting him. Soon he began to take his keyboard along and play any parts they wanted on top. It was a long time before Jonny became an official member of the band. |
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Music was put to the side by the band upon entering college. After four years of inactivity, the band began releasing demos (such as the [[Manic Hedgehog Demo]] and performing live again in Oxford in 1991, also appearing on the cover of local magazine ''Curfew''. |
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Even though the band were already fairly certain that they wanted to keep playing together, when it came time for college, all chose to bow to parental pressure and continue their education, putting music on the back burner. For almost four years On A Friday didn't play a single gig, and they rehearsed only during holiday breaks. In 1991, the band reemerged to release its first [[Demo (music)|demo]] [[Magnetic tape|tapes]]. Their second one, the [[Manic Hedgehog demo tape|''Manic Hedgehog'']] demo tape (named after an Oxford record shop and released in October), brought the group to another gig in the Jericho Tavern. In the meantime, the band had already appeared on the cover of ''Curfew'', a magazine based in Oxford. |
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===(1992–1995) ''Pablo Honey'' and ''The Bends''=== |
===(1992–1995) ''Pablo Honey'' and ''The Bends''=== |
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[[Image:Jonny Greenwood.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Jonny Greenwood]] |
[[Image:Jonny Greenwood.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Jonny Greenwood]] |
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As On a Friday's live bookings increased, various record labels began to show an interest. Eventually the group signed a 6-album recording contract with [[EMI]]. The band also changed their name to Radiohead, the title of a song on [[Talking Heads]]' ''[[True Stories (album)|True Stories]]'' album. |
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After spending a year trying to break into the consciousness of the British music press, they finally did become well-known with "[[Creep (song)|Creep]]" in 1992. The band subsequently released ''[[Pablo Honey]]'' in 1993, began touring America, and nearly broke up over the pressure. The band's debut release was a self-produced EP, described by Chris Hufford as "not a clever move". "A huge conflict of interests. I think Thom was very insecure of my involvement. I'd had that happen to me as an artist when one of our managers acted as producer. There was definitely some friction on that front. Otherwise it was a treat; we fired out the songs". The 4-track Drill EP came out in March 1992 with Prove Yourself as the lead track. It reached 101 in the UK singles chart. The band then hired Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade, who produced Buffalo Tom's "Let Me Come Over," as producers. The album was finished in three weeks in an Oxford studio. Although representing a style from which the band would later move, songs like the big self-loathing hit "Creep," "Anyone Can Play Guitar," "Thinking About You," and "You" were popular. Because the album kept on breaking around the world, the ''Pablo Honey'' supporting tour moved into its second year. |
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The band's debut [[Extended play|EP]] was self-produced. However, shortly after releasing ''[[Drill (EP)|Drill]]'' in [[March 1992]], the band hired [[Paul Kolderie]] and [[Sean Slade]] to produce their first full-length [[studio album]]. Radiohead's first album was finished in three weeks in an Oxford studio. With the release of single "[[Creep (song)|Creep]]" in 1992, the band began to receive interest from the music press. The band subsequently released ''[[Pablo Honey]]'' in 1993, began touring America, and nearly broke up over the pressure of this sudden success. Although representing a style from which the band would later move, songs like the hit "Creep," "Anyone Can Play Guitar," "Thinking About You," and "You" gained considerable popularity. The ''Pablo Honey'' supporting tour moved into its second year as the album continued to break internationally. |
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However, some critics and record buyers labelled the band as a "one-hit-wonder" on the heels of ''Creep'''s massive success. The band were fully aware of this, and began work on their second album immediately after the tour finished. The hiring of producing legend [[John Leckie]] to make their next record showed that the band had further developed as musicians and the latter contributed significantly to the sound of the album. "The best part about working with John Leckie," Jonny recalls, "was that he didn't dictate anything to us. He allowed us to figure out what we wanted to do ourselves". Previous producers Kolderie, Hufford and Slade participated in the mixing process and the selection of tracks. Nevertheless, the first sessions were exceedingly difficult, as the pressure to make a follow-up that would build on the success of ''Pablo Honey'' created high levels of tension within the band. Recalling these sessions, Leckie said: "It was either going to be Sulk, The Bends, Nice Dream, or Just. We had to give those absolute attention, make them amazing, instant smash hits number 1 in America. Everyone was pulling their hair and saying, 'It's not good enough!' We were trying too hard!" Thereafter, the band responded by seeking a change of scenery, quitting the studio and touring [[Australasia]] and the Far East. Trying new songs while touring relaxed the atmosphere and helped in making their second album. |
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Radiohead set to work on their second album. The hiring of producing legend [[John Leckie]] contributed significantly to the sound of the album. "The best part about working with John Leckie," Jonny recalls, "was that he didn't dictate anything to us. He allowed us to figure out what we wanted to do ourselves." Nevertheless, tensions were high as the pressures of creating a superior follow-up mounted. Recalling these sessions, Leckie recounted: "It was either going to be Sulk, The Bends, Nice Dream, or Just. We had to give those absolute attention, make them amazing, instant smash hits number 1 in America. Everyone was pulling their hair and saying, 'It's not good enough!' We were trying too hard!" The band responded by seeking a change of scenery, quitting the studio and touring [[Australasia]] and the Far East in an attempt to relax the atmosphere. |
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Hufford claimed that "it made them re-evaluate what they were good at and enjoyed doing. Playing live again put the perspective back on what they'd lost in the studio". The EP ''[[My Iron Lung]]'' (1994) was released between the two albums while the band were touring and saw them in a transitional stage between the pop-like ''Pablo Honey'' and the musical depth of their sophomore album. Having worked the songs in on the road, they returned to Britain and completed the album at once in a fortnight in late 1994. It was swiftly mixed and released in May 1995. It wasn't successful until their third single "[[Street Spirit (Fade Out)]]", which hit the Top 5 in UK. The album finally bounced to the charts in 1996. ''[[The Bends]]'' drew heavily on 1960s influences as well as the then-popular music exemplified by groups such as R.E.M. and [[the Pixies]]. Songs like "High & Dry", "[[Fake Plastic Trees]]", "My Iron Lung" (the band's response to their big hit "Creep") and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" were striking, original and profound, hinting that the group were growing as musicians and were on the way to lasting fame. |
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The EP ''[[My Iron Lung]]'' (1994) was released between the two albums while the band were touring and marked a transitional stage between the pop-rock of ''Pablo Honey'' and the musical depth of their second album. Having developed the remainder of the songs on the road, they returned to Britain and completed the album in a fortnight in late 1994, mixing and releasing [[The Bends]] in May 1995. Success for the album did not come until the release of their third single "[[Street Spirit (Fade Out)]]", which hit the Top 5 in the UK and pulled The Bends up the charts in 1996. |
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By early 1996, contemporaneous with the rise of [[Britpop]] bands such as [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Blur]], [[Pulp (band)|Pulp]], and [[Suede (band)|Suede]], Radiohead had received much critical acclaim for the album which is now considered by many critics and fans to be one of the best albums of the mid-1990s. |
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===(1996–1998) ''OK Computer''=== |
===(1996–1998) ''OK Computer''=== |
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Thom Yorke said that ''The Bends'' succeeded because "we had to put ourselves into an environment where we felt free to work. And that's why we want to produce the next one ourselves, because the times we most got off on making the last record were when we were just completely communicating with ourselves, and John Leckie wasn't really saying much, and it was just all happening". The band didn't know it at the time, but already one new song was recorded for the album: "Lucky", |
Thom Yorke said that ''The Bends'' succeeded because "we had to put ourselves into an environment where we felt free to work. And that's why we want to produce the next one ourselves, because the times we most got off on making the last record were when we were just completely communicating with ourselves, and John Leckie wasn't really saying much, and it was just all happening". The band didn't know it at the time, but already one new song was recorded for the album: "Lucky", specially produced in September 1995 for the [http://www.warchild.com War Child] charity's [[The Help Album]], which was an indicator of the bands next steps. With the assistance of engineer Nigel Godrich, Radiohead really did produce their next album themselves. They bought their own recording gear and went to work on ''[[OK Computer]]'' in early 1996. By July they had recorded four songs with producer Nigel Godrich at their rehearsal studio, Canned Applause, a converted shed with the latest recording equipment. Their plan was to stay away from traditional recording studios and the bad vibes they'd previously set off in the band. After recording four songs, and having learnt from ''The Bends'', they decided to perform the songs live, touring with [[Alanis Morissette]], before completing the record. The rest were recorded in actress [[Jane Seymour]]'s 15th-century mansion in St. Catherine's Court near Bath. Unfortunately, some of the same tension present during ''the Bends'' sessions appeared once again during the track selection for ''OK Computer''. By the end of the year the album was finished and in February and March it was mixed and mastered. |
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[[Image:Thom_yorke_radiohead2.jpg|thumb|right|Thom Yorke]] |
[[Image:Thom_yorke_radiohead2.jpg|thumb|right|Thom Yorke]] |
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On [[16 June]], [[1997]] ''OK Computer'' was released and received even greater acclaim than ''The Bends'' |
On [[16 June]], [[1997]] ''OK Computer'' was released and received even greater acclaim than ''The Bends''. It found Radiohead introducing uncommon musical elements, experimenting with [[ambient|ambience]] and [[noise music|noise]] to create a set of songs that many consider being a high point of late-twentieth-century rock music. It received a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and was followed by their big "Against Demons World Tour". [[Grant Gee]], the director of the "No Surprises" video, accompanied the band on their tour and filmed it, which resulted in the "fly on the wall" documentary ''[[Meeting People Is Easy]]'', which showed the band starting from their first and foremost tours and finishing in their late burn-out dates in mid-1998. |
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The band released two EPs ''[[Running From Demons|No Surprises/Running From Demons]]'' (1997) and ''[[Airbag/How Am I Driving?]]'' (1998) |
The band released two EPs ''[[Running From Demons|No Surprises/Running From Demons]]'' (1997) and ''[[Airbag/How Am I Driving?]]'' (1998). The more notable is the second, which has few songs that could best be described as a bridge between the progressive alternative rock of ''OK Computer'' and their subsequent experimental work. |
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During this time, Radiohead also contributed two songs to [[Baz Luhrmann]]'s 1996 adaptation of [[Romeo and Juliet]], "[[Talk Show Host]]" and "[[Exit Music (For a Film)]]". The former is a remix of one of the b-sides to "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (released in "The Bends") found also on the soundtrack to the film, while the latter was included in ''OK Computer''. |
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''OK Computer'' and [[The Verve]]'s final powerful alternative album—''[[Urban Hymns]]''—were regarded as a boost to the already dying Britpop movement, despite the fact that both records departed from the style. Nevertheless ''OK Computer'' is regarded by some as one of the greatest rock albums and still tops various charts. It defined Radiohead as top superstars and elevated them to the pantheon of the greatest bands of 1990s. |
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During this time, Radiohead also contributed two songs to [[Baz Luhrmann]]'s 1996 adaptation of [[Romeo and Juliet]], "[[Talk Show Host]]" and "[[Exit Music (For a Film)]]". The former is b-side to "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" found also on the soundtrack to the film, while the latter was included in ''OK Computer''. |
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===(1999–2001) ''Kid A'' and ''Amnesiac''=== |
===(1999–2001) ''Kid A'' and ''Amnesiac''=== |
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[[Image:Bear20Big.gif|130px|thumb|left|Radiohead's "Specimen Bear" icon]]Exhausted by |
[[Image:Bear20Big.gif|130px|thumb|left|Radiohead's "Specimen Bear" icon]]Exhausted by fame and on the verge of burning out following their "Against Demons World Tour" in mid-1998, the band spent the next year in relatively quiet. Thom Yorke later admitted that during that period the band were close to splitting up, and himself had developed mild [[depression]]. The band's only appearance was at the Amnesty International Concert in Paris ([[10 December]] [[1998]]). Thom and Jonny performed alone at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam, debuting a new work - "Egyptian Song". |
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The band |
The band began work on a follow-up to ''OK Computer'', but in a less organised fashion than with their previous albums. The band eventually secluded themselves in the studio to record - in the process paring down about 40 new songs to the 21 which ultimately made their subsequent two records. |
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Radiohead refused to create a stylistic sequel to ''OK Computer'', choosing instead a very different electronic style with minimal guitar work. The result was a more minimalist sound, but one which retained some of the lyrical and musical hooks of their earlier records. |
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Radiohead refused to make a follow-up of ''OK Computer'' in the same musical vein and chose to be even more ambitious than before, creating an experimental electronic album with minimal guitar work that complemented the lyrical and musical hooks of their earlier work with a more minimalist style. Yorke [http://www.insidecx.com/interviews/archive/radiohead2.html explained] that the band wanted "to experiment and find new angles, leave the old paths. We tried to treat the album like a song, let the album develop itself rather than giving it a shape and moulding it into a shape, and it worked. It was a completely different way we used for work and it was rather liberating". |
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Album number four, ''[[Kid A]]'', was released on [[October 2]], [[2000]] — three-and-half years after ''OK Computer''. Some pressings of ''Kid A'' included a hidden booklet within the case, containing artwork by Stanley Donwood and Tchocky (Thom's pseudonym). Like its predecessor, ''Kid A'' received a [[Grammy]] Award for Best Alternative Album, but some critics complained that the record was too self-indulgent and not radio-friendly. |
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Their next album, ''[[Amnesiac]]'', was released in June of the following year, and comprised further tracks from the same recording sessions. Conceived as complementary but distinct sequences of songs, the two albums are similar in style and influence; a connection made explicit in the selection of different versions of the song "Morning Bell" appearing on both records. ''Amnesiac'' is often viewed by critics as the less accomplished of the two works and has been criticised for a lack of cohesion. However, many fans and a growing number of critics refer to this lack of continuity as a deliberate device used by Radiohead to distinguish ''Amnesiac'' from ''Kid A''. The album did not quite match its predecessor's sales, but was nevertheless a commercial success. |
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After |
After ''Amnesiac's'' release, the band staged their own mini-festival in [[Oxford]]'s South Park; featuring [[Beck]], [[Sigur Rós]], [[Supergrass]], and [[Humphrey Lyttelton]] (who played [[trumpet]] on the album's closing track, "Life in a Glass House"). "I Might Be Wrong", initially planned as a third single release from the album, eventually expanded into the band's first live record: ''[[I Might Be Wrong|I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings]]''. Amongst others, it featured performances from concerts in Berlin, Paris and London, and contained one previously unreleased track, the long-time fan favourite "True Love Waits". |
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===(2002–2004) ''Hail to the Thief''=== |
===(2002–2004) ''Hail to the Thief''=== |
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On the heels of the ''Amnesiac'' tour the band took their new material on the road in [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] during July and August 2002. With the songs fleshed out and finalised during the tour, the band completed the album in a [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] studio. In 2003 the band released their sixth album ''[[Hail to the Thief]]'', which was rooted in less overt experimentation than its two predecessors. The lead single "[[There there]]" peaked at number 4 in the U.K. charts. The album's title was seen as a comment on the [[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000 U.S. presidential election]], even though the band denied this. ''Hail to the Thief'' gathered lukewarm reviews on release, mainly based on the fact that it was not considered 'genre-redefining' to the extent ''Kid A'' and ''OK Computer'' were analysed to be. |
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[[Image:Radioticket.jpg|175px|thumb|right|A Radiohead concert ticket stub, from the ''Hail to the Thief'' tour]] |
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On the heels of the ''Amnesiac'' tour the band took their new material on the road in [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] during [[July 2002|July]] and August 2002 prior to recording it. The recording process of the album was more like ''The Bends'' sessions, rather than the slower ''Kid A''/''Amnesiac'' sessions. With the songs fleshed out and finalised during the tour, the band completed the album in a [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] studio in a [[fortnight]]. In 2003 the band released their sixth album ''[[Hail to the Thief]]'', which was rooted in less overt experimentation than its two immediate predecessors but was still a long way from their earlier guitar-driven material. The atmospheric lead single "[[There there]]" peaked at number 4 in the U.K. charts. The album's title was seen as a comment on the [[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000 U.S. presidential election]]. Even though the band denied that they had any reference to [[George W. Bush]]'s election win, and the [[George W. Bush's first term as President of the United States|subsequent Bush presidency]], the view that it was might be seen as appropriate when taking into consideration the artwork and themes of some of the songs on the album, such as the track "[[2 + 2 = 5 (song)|2 + 2 = 5]]", which refers to [[George Orwell]]'s political commentary ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'' (see [[two plus two make five]]). In actual fact, the album's title is a nod (hostile or not) to the "thief" who leaked the album on the internet prior to release. |
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After the release of ''Hail to the Thief'', Radiohead embarked on a vast international tour, lasting about a year. The band showed a relaxed attitude during interviews and press conference and at the stage shows, they were dancing and grinning. The tour saw the band visiting Australia and Japan for the first time since their ''OK Computer'' tour in 1997–1998, more than 6 years prior. Radiohead again, in June 2003, headlined the main (Pyramid) stage on the Saturday of the [[Glastonbury Festival#Glastonbury_2003|Glastonbury Festival]]. |
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''Hail to the Thief'' gathered lukewarm reviews on release, mainly based on the fact that it was not considered 'genre-redefining' to the extent ''Kid A'' and ''OK Computer'' were analysed to be. However, in the greater scheme of popular music, many fans and critics consider it to be an on a par with Radiohead's previous work. The record revisits every era of Radiohead's sound, varying from experimental electronica to crunching guitars, and is infused with a certain swagger that band members attribute to the quick, energetic recording sessions. |
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About one year after the release of ''Hail to the Thief'', Radiohead released a new EP titled ''[[COM LAG (2plus2isfive)]]'', while on their 2004 tour in [[Australia]] and [[Japan]]. With 10 tracks, ''COM LAG'' is longer than the average Radiohead EP. It combines nearly all of the tracks released on the "Hail to the Thief" singles into one EP. The band finished touring and promoting ''Hail to the Thief'' in mid-2004 with a performance at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival#2004|Coachella Festival]]. |
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After the release of ''Hail to the Thief'', Radiohead embarked on a vast international tour, lasting about a year. The band showed a relaxed attitude during interviews and press conference and at the stage shows, they were dancing and grinning. The tour saw the band visiting Australia and Japan for the first time since their ''OK Computer'' tour in 1997–1998, more than 6 years previous. Many Australian fans were deeply upset by the cancellation of the last show merely hours before its scheduled start due to problems with Yorke's throat. Radiohead again, in June 2003, headlined the main (Pyramid) stage on the Saturday of the [[Glastonbury Festival#Glastonbury_2003|Glastonbury Festival]]. Like in 1997, the performance was greeted to huge crowd acclaim and positive press reviews. Also in 2003, Jonny Greenwood, with the help of his brother Colin Greenwood, composed, recorded and produced the soundtrack to the avant-garde documentary ''[[Bodysong (album)|Bodysong]]''. |
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About one year after the release of ''Hail to the Thief'', Radiohead released a new EP titled ''[[COM LAG (2plus2isfive)]]'', while on their 2004 tour in [[Australia]] and [[Japan]]. With 10 tracks, ''COM LAG'' is longer than the average Radiohead EP. It features live takes, remixes, and different versions of ''Hail to the Thief''-era songs, as well as a handful of acoustic and electronic numbers. The band finished touring and promoting ''Hail to the Thief'' in mid-2004 with an acclaimed performance at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival#2004|Coachella Festival]]. |
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===(2005–2006) Current recording sessions === |
===(2005–2006) Current recording sessions === |
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At first, the band stated that it's natural to record some more material on the heels of the previous record and started jamming in their Oxford based studio. This didn't last long, as Ed and Colin were expecting children, and the band wanted some time off after a three-album cycle. Free of any contractual obligations, Radiohead spent the rest of 2004 resting and devoting themselves to solo projects and recordings with other artists, only recording sporadically. They released the DVD version of their webcast television show, ''[[The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth Of All Time]]'', in December 2004. Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway had [[cameo appearance|cameo]] roles in the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (movie)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'', for which they recorded three songs, but their fictional band The Weird Sisters, fronted by [[Pulp (band)|Pulp]]'s [[Jarvis Cocker]], received only a few seconds of screen time. Jonny became a composer for the BBC, charged with creating classical pieces. He and Thom collaborated with many other artists for the [[Band Aid 20]] project, playing guitar and piano, respectively. |
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{{Future album}} |
{{Future album}} |
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Radiohead returned to recording sessions in early 2005, although they recorded on and off during the previous hiatus. The band got back together in January 2005, with Thom playing a selection of his new songs for the other members. From there, the rest of the band started adding their own parts. The recording process has been described as "unorganised", and very different to the way Radiohead have recorded before. Thom described this change to NME as similar to the way the band worked during the gap between ''OK Computer'' and ''Kid A''. For the first time in more than a decade, close collaborator Nigel Godrich won't participate in the making of the album. Ed O'Brien stated in late December "It's not an end of an era, (but) part of what you realise as a band is that all those records you made with Nigel, apart from ''Hail To The Thief'' we were a little bit in the comfort zone". |
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[[Image:Thomyorke_150405_37.jpg|thumb|275px|left|Thom Yorke, at the Trade Justice vigil, Westminster, April 2005]] |
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In early September, the band recorded a new song; "I Want None of This", for the War Child album [[Help; a Day in the Life|Help: a Day in the Life]]. It is a simple piano-based song, with a minimalist style & some haunting backing vocals. On September 30, Thom [http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/images/P1000008.jpg posted] a photo on their own on-line [[Dead Air Space|blog]][http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace] of what seems to be a list of 21 songs for the band to work on. However, this list is probably not exhaustive, as they are known to have many other tunes (see the [http://www.ateaseweb.com/mb/index.php?s=e9642075767b00046265ff4014388b52&showtopic=60694&st=0&#entry1574997 list] compiled by members of the ateaseweb.com fan site). The band continued their recording schedule in February and March with famous producer "[[Mark "Spike" Stent]], who's worked with [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] and [[Björk]]. "We've got some great songs but we won't release something we're not happy with. The thing with Radiohead is that each record has a different sound, it's really hard finding something that's different and sits well with us", said O'Brien. |
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After the tour, the band began rehearsing for the follow up album in their Oxford based studio. They went on hiatus as Ed and Colin were awaiting the birth of their children. Free of any contractual obligations, Radiohead spent the remainder of 2004 resting and devoting themselves to solo projects, only recording as a group sporadically. They released the DVD version of their webcast television show, ''[[The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth Of All Time]]'', in December 2004. Jonny and Thom collaborated with many other artists for the [[Band Aid 20]] project, playing guitar and piano, respectively. |
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It also appears unlikely that the band will re-sign with EMI. Their management also dismissed rumours that Warner Music were lining up to sign the band, saying: "The band (are) not looking for a record company in any way, shape or form. They are out of a contract, but they're not actively looking for another one. They're getting on with doing what they do". [[As of 2006]], the band remains out of contract and it remains to be seen what move they will take in that direction. |
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Radiohead returned to more regular recording sessions in January 2005, with Thom playing a selection of new songs to the other members, who in turn began adding their own parts. The recording process has been described by the band as "unorganised", and very different to the way Radiohead have recorded before. Perhaps the biggest change however is the choice of producer for the record: for the first time in more than a decade, close collaborator Nigel Godrich won't participate in the making of the album. Instead, the band are working with [[Mark Stent]] (who has previously produced albums by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Keane]] and [[Madonna (singer)|Madonna]]). |
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Apart from the few glimpses last year, it's difficult to tell what the next album will sound like. Jonny Greenwood said earlier in 2005 that he had been listening exclusively to [[dub reggae]] for months, so it is possible that that genre's influence will be audible on the new album. Guitarist Ed O'Brien in an interview with Radio 1 in December 2005, denied that the album would be acoustic sounding. Also, orchestral arrangements have been recorded, the use of which will likely give the album a different feel to ''Hail to the Thief'', which featured no guest musicians. Radiohead are known for their experimental nature, so new sounds are expected. The new album's released date is still unconfirmed, but fans are looking with anticipation to May 2006 where Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood will play a unique acoustic gig in front of 1000 fans, for [[Friends of the Earth]]. Tickets sold out in 15 seconds on the internet. A club tour of Britain has been scheduled for May and in June Radiohead will tour North America and Canada. Exact dates for the North American tour have not yet been released. The tickets for their UK tour sold out in a matter of minutes on the morning of [[March 25]]. |
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It appears unlikely that the band will re-sign with EMI. Their management have also dismissed rumours that Warner Music were lining up to sign the band, stating: "The band (are) not looking for a record company in any way, shape or form. They are out of a contract, but they're not actively looking for another one. They're getting on with doing what they do". |
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In a statement to the NME in March 2006, Radiohead made the following comments regarding the forthcoming tours and new material, "We're excited to be touring again, especially to play new songs to an audience. For the first time, we have no contract or release deadline to fulfil—it's both liberating and terrifying. |
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In early September, the band recorded a new song; "I Want None of This", for the War Child album [[Help; a Day in the Life|Help: a Day in the Life]]. The new album's released date is still unconfirmed. |
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"To keep things more fun and spontaneous, we will be playing new songs that are work in progress. We will also be releasing music to download when we are excited about it, rather than wait twelve months for a full blown album release. Music's not just about all-time greats—it's also a document of its time, and we want to be able to put out a song when it feels right". A download only ep or single is expected to co-incide with the the spring/summer tour. An album probably will follow later in the year. |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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{{main|Radiohead discography}} |
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<big>'''Studio albums'''</big> |
<big>'''Studio albums'''</big> |
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# ''[[Pablo Honey]]'' (1993) |
# ''[[Pablo Honey]]'' (1993) |
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| Line 116: | Line 85: | ||
# ''[[Amnesiac]]'' (2001) |
# ''[[Amnesiac]]'' (2001) |
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# ''[[Hail to the Thief]]'' (2003) |
# ''[[Hail to the Thief]]'' (2003) |
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<big>'''Selected EPs'''<big> |
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*1992: ''[[Drill (EP)|Drill]]'' |
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*1994: ''[[Itch (EP)|Itch]]'' (Japan/New Zealand) |
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*1994: ''[[My Iron Lung]]'' |
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*1997: ''[[Running From Demons|No Surprises/Running From Demons]]'' (Japan) |
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*1998: ''[[Airbag/How Am I Driving?]]'' (UK/US) |
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*2001: ''[[I Might Be Wrong|I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings]]'' |
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*2004: ''[[COM LAG (2plus2isfive)]]'' (Japan) |
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'''Other''' |
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*1995: ''[[Live Au Forum]]'' (France) |
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*1996: ''[[The Bends Pinkpop]]'' (Netherlands) |
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*2001: ''[[Amnesiac College EP]]'' (U.S. College Radio) |
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<big>'''UK Top 20 Singles'''<big> |
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*1993: "Creep" (re-release) (#7) |
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*1995: "[[High and Dry]]" (#17) |
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*1995: "[[Planet Telex]]" (#17) |
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*1995: "[[Fake Plastic Trees]]" (#20) |
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*1995: "[[Just (song)|Just]]" (#19) |
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*1996: "[[Street Spirit (Fade Out)]]" (#5) |
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*1997: "[[Paranoid Android]]" (#3) |
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*1997: "[[Karma Police]]" (#8) |
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*1998: "[[No Surprises]]" (#4) |
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*2001: "[[Pyramid Song]]" (#5) |
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*2001: "[[Knives Out]]" (#13) |
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*2003: "[[There there]]" (#4) |
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*2003: "[[Go to Sleep]]" (#12) |
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*2003: "[[2 + 2 = 5 (song)|2 + 2 = 5]]" (#15) |
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<big>'''US Singles: Modern Rock Chart'''<big> |
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*1993: "[[Stop Whispering]]" (#23) |
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*1993: "[[Creep]]" (#2) |
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*1995: "[[Just]]" (#37) |
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*1995: "[[Fake Plastic Trees]]" (#11) |
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*1996: "[[High and Dry]]" (#18) |
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*1997: "[[Let Down]]" (#29) |
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*1998: "[[Karma Police]]" (#14) |
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*2000: "[[Optimistic]]" (#10) |
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*2001: "[[I Might Be Wrong]]" (#27) |
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*2003: "[[There There]]" (#14) |
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*2003: "[[Go To Sleep]]" (#32) |
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<big>'''US Singles: The Billboard Hot 100'''<big> |
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*1993: "[[Creep]]" (#34) |
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*1996: "[[High and Dry]]" (#78) |
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==Multimedia== |
==Multimedia== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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===Collector links=== |
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*[http://www.rhdiscog.com/ RHDiscog.com - Radiohead Discography]: The most comprehensive Radiohead discography on the internet. |
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*[http://www.asuaf.org/~radiohead Track Resource]: A list of every officially released version of every Radiohead song. Includes scans of the releases from which each version is found. |
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===General links=== |
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{{commons|Radiohead}} |
{{commons|Radiohead}} |
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*[http://www.radiohead.com/ Radiohead.com]: The official Radiohead website. <!-- Please keep sentence "official Radiohead website" for Google --> The Messageboard has gathered a cult following. Members of the band occasionally post there. |
*[http://www.radiohead.com/ Radiohead.com]: The official Radiohead website. <!-- Please keep sentence "official Radiohead website" for Google --> The Messageboard has gathered a cult following. Members of the band occasionally post there. |
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*[http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/ Dead Air Space]: [[Dead Air Space|Radiohead's blog]] for its 7th LP |
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*[http://www.waste.uk.com/ W.A.S.T.E. Products Ltd.]: Official information service, fan club and Radiohead merchandise store. |
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*[http://www.radioheadfaq.co.uk/ Talk In Maths: 'A Not Even Remotely Official Radiohead FAQ']: Site packed with general information and facts about the band. |
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*[http://www.skwik.com/news/radiohead.shtml Radiohead News]: Latest headlines on Radiohead. |
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*[http://www.ateaseweb.com/ At Ease]: The largest fansite with detailed information on the band. Has an extremely popular message board. |
*[http://www.ateaseweb.com/ At Ease]: The largest fansite with detailed information on the band. Has an extremely popular message board. |
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*[http://www.greenplastic.com Green Plastic]: Another large Radiohead fan and news site. Very reliable source for Radiohead guitar tabs. |
*[http://www.greenplastic.com Green Plastic]: Another large Radiohead fan and news site. Very reliable source for Radiohead guitar tabs. |
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*[http://www.radioheadperu.com Radiohead Perú] Sitio web Peruano sobre Radiohead con contenido en español, foro, news, Tributos, etc. |
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*[http://www.radiohead-latinoamerica.com Radiohead Latinoamérica] Community and registry of Latinamerican fans and large and comprehensive website completely in Spanish including latest headlines, discografphy, gigography, contests, images, media articles and lyrics. |
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*[http://www.nepasavaler.net/ ne pas a.v.a.l.e.r.]: The main French fansite very detailed section on songs and discs. Very active forum. |
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*[http://www.antimusic.com/lowdown/05/radiohead.shtml The Radiohead Backlash] Article |
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*[http://www.radiohead-mexico.info/ Radiohead México]: The main Mexican fansite with content in Spanish. |
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*[http://www.greektheateronline.com/radiohead-greektheater.php Radiohead Greek Theater Los Angeles]: Radiohead Greek Theater Concert review |
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*[http://asylum2.7.forumer.com/index.php pull/pink revolving doors]: originally a forum about radiohead, now mainly about [[curling]] and radiohead. An extremely and intensely active forum. |
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*[http://radiohead1.tripod.com/band/index.htm Fitter. Happier.]: another band information website, also contains lyrics. |
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===Lyrics links=== |
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*[http://www.ez-lyrics.net/viewartist_12063.html Radiohead lyrics] Radiohead lyrics |
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*[http://www.geocities.com/radiohead_lyrics/ Monkey Picture Soundtrack]: An independent transcription and analysis of Radiohead's lyrics, devoted to demystifying Yorke's unclear vocal deliveries. |
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*[http://pulk-pull.org/ Pulk-Pull]: An on-going investigation of the band's music and art. |
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*[http://greenplastic.com/lyrics/]: Comprehensive list of all songs and their lyrics |
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{{Radiohead}} |
{{Radiohead}} |
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Revision as of 21:01, 5 April 2006
 | This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. |
Radiohead | |
|---|---|
| File:Radiohead grass.jpg Left to right: Phil Selway, Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Oxford, England, UK |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Members | Thom Yorke Jonny Greenwood Ed O'Brien Colin Greenwood Phil Selway |
Radiohead are a British alternative rock band from Oxford and nearby Abingdon. The band's style is notable for its variety and versatility, which can be explained partly through the musical accomplishment and eclectic musical tastes of its members. Lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, is currently the BBC's Composer in Residence and is adept at numerous instruments aside from the guitar, such as the Ondes Martenot and harmonica. Ed O'Brien, apart from his normal duties as guitarist and vocalist, is a skilled drummer. Thom Yorke, lead singer and pianist also plays several different instruments including guitar. Though Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood hold the main creative influence within the band, songwriting is chiefly a collaborative effort, though such roles have become less distinct in recent times. For example, Colin Greenwood was particularly influential in writing "Dollars and Cents" from album Amnesiac.
This spirit of creative collaboration is also shown in the band's close relationship with Producer John Leckie and, particularly, Nigel Godrich, who has worked with the band since the recording of The Bends and has often been dubbed the "sixth member" of the band. However, this collaboration ended following the completion of the Radiohead's last offering, Hail to the Thief. Graphic artist Stanley Donwood is another candidate for "sixth member". He has produced, with Yorke's help, all of the artwork for the band since their My Iron Lung EP. He also has a great deal of influence over the public image of the band and input into the themes and concepts of Yorke's lyrics. When collaborating with Donwood, Yorke often takes on the alias of "Tchock", "Tchocky", or "Dr. Tchock".
History
(1986–1991) Formation and first years
The Radiohead story began in the mid-Eighties at Abingdon School, a private boys-only school located just outside the city of Oxford, which mild-mannered drummer Phil Selway, guitarist Ed O'Brien, guitarist/vocalist Thom Yorke, bassist Colin Greenwood and Colin's multi-instrumentalist brother Jonny all attended. The five of them formed a band after they began practicing in the school's music room, with the initial name of 'On a Friday'. On a Friday played their first gig in August 1986, at Oxford's Jericho Tavern.
Music was put to the side by the band upon entering college. After four years of inactivity, the band began releasing demos (such as the Manic Hedgehog Demo and performing live again in Oxford in 1991, also appearing on the cover of local magazine Curfew.
(1992–1995) Pablo Honey and The Bends
As On a Friday's live bookings increased, various record labels began to show an interest. Eventually the group signed a 6-album recording contract with EMI. The band also changed their name to Radiohead, the title of a song on Talking Heads' True Stories album.
The band's debut EP was self-produced. However, shortly after releasing Drill in March 1992, the band hired Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade to produce their first full-length studio album. Radiohead's first album was finished in three weeks in an Oxford studio. With the release of single "Creep" in 1992, the band began to receive interest from the music press. The band subsequently released Pablo Honey in 1993, began touring America, and nearly broke up over the pressure of this sudden success. Although representing a style from which the band would later move, songs like the hit "Creep," "Anyone Can Play Guitar," "Thinking About You," and "You" gained considerable popularity. The Pablo Honey supporting tour moved into its second year as the album continued to break internationally.
Radiohead set to work on their second album. The hiring of producing legend John Leckie contributed significantly to the sound of the album. "The best part about working with John Leckie," Jonny recalls, "was that he didn't dictate anything to us. He allowed us to figure out what we wanted to do ourselves." Nevertheless, tensions were high as the pressures of creating a superior follow-up mounted. Recalling these sessions, Leckie recounted: "It was either going to be Sulk, The Bends, Nice Dream, or Just. We had to give those absolute attention, make them amazing, instant smash hits number 1 in America. Everyone was pulling their hair and saying, 'It's not good enough!' We were trying too hard!" The band responded by seeking a change of scenery, quitting the studio and touring Australasia and the Far East in an attempt to relax the atmosphere.
The EP My Iron Lung (1994) was released between the two albums while the band were touring and marked a transitional stage between the pop-rock of Pablo Honey and the musical depth of their second album. Having developed the remainder of the songs on the road, they returned to Britain and completed the album in a fortnight in late 1994, mixing and releasing The Bends in May 1995. Success for the album did not come until the release of their third single "Street Spirit (Fade Out)", which hit the Top 5 in the UK and pulled The Bends up the charts in 1996.
(1996–1998) OK Computer
Thom Yorke said that The Bends succeeded because "we had to put ourselves into an environment where we felt free to work. And that's why we want to produce the next one ourselves, because the times we most got off on making the last record were when we were just completely communicating with ourselves, and John Leckie wasn't really saying much, and it was just all happening". The band didn't know it at the time, but already one new song was recorded for the album: "Lucky", specially produced in September 1995 for the War Child charity's The Help Album, which was an indicator of the bands next steps. With the assistance of engineer Nigel Godrich, Radiohead really did produce their next album themselves. They bought their own recording gear and went to work on OK Computer in early 1996. By July they had recorded four songs with producer Nigel Godrich at their rehearsal studio, Canned Applause, a converted shed with the latest recording equipment. Their plan was to stay away from traditional recording studios and the bad vibes they'd previously set off in the band. After recording four songs, and having learnt from The Bends, they decided to perform the songs live, touring with Alanis Morissette, before completing the record. The rest were recorded in actress Jane Seymour's 15th-century mansion in St. Catherine's Court near Bath. Unfortunately, some of the same tension present during the Bends sessions appeared once again during the track selection for OK Computer. By the end of the year the album was finished and in February and March it was mixed and mastered.
On 16 June, 1997 OK Computer was released and received even greater acclaim than The Bends. It found Radiohead introducing uncommon musical elements, experimenting with ambience and noise to create a set of songs that many consider being a high point of late-twentieth-century rock music. It received a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and was followed by their big "Against Demons World Tour". Grant Gee, the director of the "No Surprises" video, accompanied the band on their tour and filmed it, which resulted in the "fly on the wall" documentary Meeting People Is Easy, which showed the band starting from their first and foremost tours and finishing in their late burn-out dates in mid-1998.
The band released two EPs No Surprises/Running From Demons (1997) and Airbag/How Am I Driving? (1998). The more notable is the second, which has few songs that could best be described as a bridge between the progressive alternative rock of OK Computer and their subsequent experimental work.
During this time, Radiohead also contributed two songs to Baz Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, "Talk Show Host" and "Exit Music (For a Film)". The former is a remix of one of the b-sides to "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (released in "The Bends") found also on the soundtrack to the film, while the latter was included in OK Computer.
(1999–2001) Kid A and Amnesiac
Exhausted by fame and on the verge of burning out following their "Against Demons World Tour" in mid-1998, the band spent the next year in relatively quiet. Thom Yorke later admitted that during that period the band were close to splitting up, and himself had developed mild depression. The band's only appearance was at the Amnesty International Concert in Paris (10 December 1998). Thom and Jonny performed alone at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam, debuting a new work - "Egyptian Song".
The band began work on a follow-up to OK Computer, but in a less organised fashion than with their previous albums. The band eventually secluded themselves in the studio to record - in the process paring down about 40 new songs to the 21 which ultimately made their subsequent two records.
Radiohead refused to create a stylistic sequel to OK Computer, choosing instead a very different electronic style with minimal guitar work. The result was a more minimalist sound, but one which retained some of the lyrical and musical hooks of their earlier records.
Album number four, Kid A, was released on October 2, 2000 — three-and-half years after OK Computer. Some pressings of Kid A included a hidden booklet within the case, containing artwork by Stanley Donwood and Tchocky (Thom's pseudonym). Like its predecessor, Kid A received a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album, but some critics complained that the record was too self-indulgent and not radio-friendly.
Their next album, Amnesiac, was released in June of the following year, and comprised further tracks from the same recording sessions. Conceived as complementary but distinct sequences of songs, the two albums are similar in style and influence; a connection made explicit in the selection of different versions of the song "Morning Bell" appearing on both records. Amnesiac is often viewed by critics as the less accomplished of the two works and has been criticised for a lack of cohesion. However, many fans and a growing number of critics refer to this lack of continuity as a deliberate device used by Radiohead to distinguish Amnesiac from Kid A. The album did not quite match its predecessor's sales, but was nevertheless a commercial success.
After Amnesiac's release, the band staged their own mini-festival in Oxford's South Park; featuring Beck, Sigur Rós, Supergrass, and Humphrey Lyttelton (who played trumpet on the album's closing track, "Life in a Glass House"). "I Might Be Wrong", initially planned as a third single release from the album, eventually expanded into the band's first live record: I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings. Amongst others, it featured performances from concerts in Berlin, Paris and London, and contained one previously unreleased track, the long-time fan favourite "True Love Waits".
(2002–2004) Hail to the Thief
On the heels of the Amnesiac tour the band took their new material on the road in Portugal and Spain during July and August 2002. With the songs fleshed out and finalised during the tour, the band completed the album in a Los Angeles studio. In 2003 the band released their sixth album Hail to the Thief, which was rooted in less overt experimentation than its two predecessors. The lead single "There there" peaked at number 4 in the U.K. charts. The album's title was seen as a comment on the 2000 U.S. presidential election, even though the band denied this. Hail to the Thief gathered lukewarm reviews on release, mainly based on the fact that it was not considered 'genre-redefining' to the extent Kid A and OK Computer were analysed to be.
After the release of Hail to the Thief, Radiohead embarked on a vast international tour, lasting about a year. The band showed a relaxed attitude during interviews and press conference and at the stage shows, they were dancing and grinning. The tour saw the band visiting Australia and Japan for the first time since their OK Computer tour in 1997–1998, more than 6 years prior. Radiohead again, in June 2003, headlined the main (Pyramid) stage on the Saturday of the Glastonbury Festival.
About one year after the release of Hail to the Thief, Radiohead released a new EP titled COM LAG (2plus2isfive), while on their 2004 tour in Australia and Japan. With 10 tracks, COM LAG is longer than the average Radiohead EP. It combines nearly all of the tracks released on the "Hail to the Thief" singles into one EP. The band finished touring and promoting Hail to the Thief in mid-2004 with a performance at the Coachella Festival.
(2005–2006) Current recording sessions
After the tour, the band began rehearsing for the follow up album in their Oxford based studio. They went on hiatus as Ed and Colin were awaiting the birth of their children. Free of any contractual obligations, Radiohead spent the remainder of 2004 resting and devoting themselves to solo projects, only recording as a group sporadically. They released the DVD version of their webcast television show, The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth Of All Time, in December 2004. Jonny and Thom collaborated with many other artists for the Band Aid 20 project, playing guitar and piano, respectively.
Radiohead returned to more regular recording sessions in January 2005, with Thom playing a selection of new songs to the other members, who in turn began adding their own parts. The recording process has been described by the band as "unorganised", and very different to the way Radiohead have recorded before. Perhaps the biggest change however is the choice of producer for the record: for the first time in more than a decade, close collaborator Nigel Godrich won't participate in the making of the album. Instead, the band are working with Mark Stent (who has previously produced albums by Oasis, Keane and Madonna).
It appears unlikely that the band will re-sign with EMI. Their management have also dismissed rumours that Warner Music were lining up to sign the band, stating: "The band (are) not looking for a record company in any way, shape or form. They are out of a contract, but they're not actively looking for another one. They're getting on with doing what they do".
In early September, the band recorded a new song; "I Want None of This", for the War Child album Help: a Day in the Life. The new album's released date is still unconfirmed.
Discography
Studio albums
- Pablo Honey (1993)
- The Bends (1995)
- OK Computer (1997)
- Kid A (2000)
- Amnesiac (2001)
- Hail to the Thief (2003)
Multimedia
Videos
- Live at the Astoria (1995, VHS)
- 7 Television Commercials (1998, VHS/DVD)
- Meeting People Is Easy (1999, VHS/DVD)
- The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth Of All Time (2004, DVD)
- Live at the Astoria [Re-release] (2005, DVD)
Books
- Radiohead: An Illustrated Biography by Nick Johnstone (1997, ISBN 0711965811)
- Radiohead: From a Great Height by Jonathan Hale (1999, ISBN 1550223739)
- Radiohead: Hysterical and Useless by Martin Clarke (2000, ISBN 0859653323)
- Exit Music: The Radiohead Story by Mac Randall, (2000, ISBN 0385333935)
- Radiohead: Back to Save the Universe by James Doheny (2002, ISBN 1560253983)
- Radiohead: A Visual Documentary by Tim Footman and Billy Dancer (2002, ISBN 1842401793)
- The Music and Art of Radiohead edited by Joseph Tate (2005, ISBN 0754639800)
- Radiohead: The Complete Guide to Their Music by Mark Paytress (2005, ISBN 1-84449-507-8)
- OK Computer by Dai Griffiths, from 33 1/3 series (2005, ISBN 0-8264-1663-2)
Dissertations
- "Authenticity in Rock Culture (Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Radiohead)" by Mark Mazullo (1999, University of Minnesota)
- "'How to Disappear Completely': Radiohead and the Resistant Concept Album" by Marianne Tatom Letts (2005, University of Texas at Austin)
Samples
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References
- Ross, Alex (August 20 and 27, 2001). The Searchers: Radiohead's unquiet revolution. The New Yorker.
- Rock On The Net: Radiohead
- AtEase Biography of Radiohead
External links
- Radiohead.com: The official Radiohead website. The Messageboard has gathered a cult following. Members of the band occasionally post there.
- At Ease: The largest fansite with detailed information on the band. Has an extremely popular message board.
- Green Plastic: Another large Radiohead fan and news site. Very reliable source for Radiohead guitar tabs.
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