The essential Radiohead
Our critics offer a crash course on one of the most important rock bands working today.
Star-Telegram.com
Iconic British rock band Radiohead returns to North Texas for the first time in a decade Sunday, performing at Dallas’ Superpages.com Center.
While the sold-out show is in support of the quintet’s latest record, In Rainbows, frontman Thom Yorke and company have been turning out mesmerizing, maddening works of art for 15 years. Here’s a primer on the many sounds and styles of one of music’s most influential acts.
Listen to Preston and Christopher's introduction.
"Stop Listening" from Pablo Honey (1993): Radiohead’s debut reflects the band’s roots in college rock — lots of sturm und drang and pretty melodies designed to grab listeners quickly.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "Stop Whispering"
"(Nice Dream)" from The Bends (1995): A stunning, accomplished sophomore effort that expands and sharpens Radiohead’s sound. The dark undertones become more pronounced and, with My Iron Lung, frontman Thom Yorke is already lashing out at those who expect he and his bandmates to keep churning out the same ‘ol thing.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "(Nice Dream)"
"No Surprises" from OK Computer (1997): Many consider this Radiohead’s masterpiece, a dense, foreboding record shot through with moments of unspeakable beauty and chilly paranoia. Yorke, fully in the grasp of impending Y2k hysteria, fashions one mesmerizing track after another.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "No Surprises"
"Morning Bell" from Kid A (2000): In response to the staggering success of OK Computer, Yorke and company pulled an about-face with this fourth album, jettisoning much of what had made them famous and plunging into a headspace dominated by ambient, glitchy effects and electronic experimentation.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "Morning Bell"
"Pyramid Song" from Amnesiac (2001): Radiohead goes further down the rabbit hole, further exploring the themes first surfacing on Kid A. In fact, many of the tracks here were pieced together during sessions for Kid A.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "Pyramid Song"
"Idioteque" from "I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings" (2001): Considered an EP by the band, this eight-song collection remains the only official live Radiohead release. A snapshot of the band’s 2001 tour in support of Kid A and Amnesiac, Wrong captures Yorke and company in their element.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "Idioteque"
"There There" from Hail to the Thief (2003): Widely hailed as a return to form, Radiohead’s sixth album fuses the soaring, melodic rock of Pablo Honey and The Bends with the nervy electronic angst of Kid A and Amnesiac.
Listen to Preston and Christopher discuss "There There"
"Faust Arp" from In Rainbows (2007/08): In Rainbows made a splash late in 2007 when the quintet, now freed from a major label contract, offered the album for download on its Web site. Having fine-tuned their sound from Thief, Radiohead now sounds like a band poised for the next century.
Preston and Christopher discuss "Faust Arp"
