Radiohead albums ranked and reviewed
Ranked #8,666 in Music, #235,659 overall
Who are Radiohead?
Pablo Honey (1993)
Pablo Honey
Amazon Price: $4.74 (as of 06/03/2012)
Pablo Honey, Radiohead's first album, has ranked lowest on my list, but don't let that fool you, Pablo Honey is a solid first album from a band who were still finding their feet. Every fan, and the band itself, may well owe the whole Radiohead back catalogue to their hit song "Creep", the second track on the album, and the song that put these alternative kings on the map.
The Bends (1995)
The Bends
Amazon Price: $3.98 (as of 06/03/2012)
The Bends, with it's rock-out hit "Just" and melancholic 90s anthem "Street Spirit" showcases a band getting into the swing of 90s guitar music. Snarling guitars and lyrics alike, The Bends is a must for those who are into to the Nirvanas and REMs of this world.
OK Computer (1997)
OK Computer
Amazon Price: $5.47 (as of 06/03/2012)
As you can see, my number 2, but Ok Computer is the album you're most likely to see topping "best of" charts all over the internet. An album met with rave reviews everywhere. Haunting and sophisticated, lyrically and musically perfect, an album you'll see in any muso's collection, and an undisputed gem of alternative music's history. Hits include the six minute alternative answer to Bohemian Rhapsody, "Paranoid Android" and the anthemic "No Surprises" and "Karma Police".
Kid A (2000)
Kid A
Amazon Price: $7.44 (as of 06/03/2012)
In my view, the album that cemented Radiohead's status as one of the most influential bands of their time, or indeed any time. Kid A was a gutsy move from guitar based music to experimental soundscapes and electronic, synth-driven anthems. This came as an unexpected follow-up to the hugely acclaimed OK Computer, and followed years of radio silence (no pun intended) from the band HQ. At the time it was met with mixed reviews, but has since been featured in best album lists in every publication from NME to Pitchfork and beyond. An album that opened the door for electronics and computing to become a big part of alternative music for the 21st century.
Amnesiac (2001)
Amnesiac
Amazon Price: $5.42 (as of 06/03/2012)
Recorded at the same time as Kid A, Amnesiac was seen as something of a sister album, the two have even been dubbed the "double album that never was". If indeed they were a double album, Kid A would see more of people's CD players. Indeed, both have a similar atmosphere to them, but in spite of hit tracks "I Might be Wrong" and "Pyramid Song", Amnesiac just lacks that little bit of extra bite audible in it's predecessor.
Hail to the Thief (2003)
Hail to the Thief
Amazon Price: $5.22 (as of 06/03/2012)
In my view, this is the Radiohead album with the least continuity. Recorded in two weeks of sessions in America, the production was perhaps rushed. Still worth a listen, but a few tracks that would maybe have not made the cut with longer to evaluate. A return to a rockier form, and still a solid effort!
In Rainbows (2007)
In Rainbows
Amazon Price: $8.48 (as of 06/03/2012)
Famed as the world's first "Pay-what-you-like" album, released solely through their own website to start with. This album deserves recognition purely for giving the music industry a much needed kick-start. It's not the fresh release approach taken that gets this album to number three on my list, but it's shear beauty. This time, the rock-out tunes include "15 Step" (used on the Twilight soundtrack, if you're interested) and "Bodysnatchers", which are interlaced with the gorgeously melodic "Nude" and "Videotape" on an album to be remembered.
The King of Limbs (2011)
The King of Limbs
Amazon Price: $6.56 (as of 06/03/2012)
The King of Limbs, Radiohead's 2011 album saw the band return to a more experimental form we've seen over the years from them. Stand out single "Lotus Flower" (complete with a very special show from frontman Thom Yorke) drew a lot of attention to and album that proved they haven't lost any of their magic. From the electronic bass-blowout "Feral" to flowing acoustic number "Give up the Ghost", the intricate percussion and evergreen compositions of guitarist Jonny Greenwood give this an album a real flow, as you can see, their 4th best in my book.
Selected Tracks
Some great starting points for the new Radiohead fan
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyramid Song | Radiohead | Amnesiac | |
| The National Anthem | Radiohead | Kid A | |
| 15 Step | Radiohead | In Rainbows | |
| There, There | Radiohead | The Best of Radiohead | |
| Just | Radiohead | The Best of Radiohead | |
| Paranoid Android | Radiohead | OK Computer | |
| No Surprises | Radiohead | OK Computer |
What do you think?
Am I right or am I wrong? What would you change about my rankings?
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KilleenMcG
Mar 4, 2012 @ 1:11 pm | delete
- My top 3, in the following order, are:
The Bends
Kid A
OK Comp.
Love this band - great lens!
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LivedOrcen
Feb 29, 2012 @ 6:27 pm | delete
- I love radiohead, it's excellent to listen when you are in the mood. Karma Police is my favorite (Sorry for being that cliche!)
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MissyLeigh
Feb 22, 2012 @ 4:32 pm | delete
- I heart Radio Head. Great Lens!
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webkangaroo
Feb 22, 2012 @ 10:34 am | delete
- Hey good lens. Give me "Black Star" at 200 dB's and I'm happy.
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TenPoundTenor
Feb 18, 2012 @ 5:48 pm | delete
- Good lens. Ok, Computer is one of my favorite albums.
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What do you think?
We won't all agree on this one, so let's put it to a vote!
by BenJacklin
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