Radiohead

Biography

Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwood (bass), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals) and Philip Selway (drums, percussion). They have worked with producer Nigel Godrich and artist Stanley Donwood since 1994.

Formation and Early Years (1985–1991)

The members of Radiohead met while attending Abingdon School, an independent school for boys in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. In 1985, they formed the band On a Friday, a reference to their usual rehearsal day in the school's music room. The group consisted of Yorke on vocals, O'Brien and Jonny Greenwood on guitars, Colin Greenwood on bass, and Selway on drums. After finishing their A-levels, the members went to university but continued to rehearse on weekends and holidays. In 1991, the band regrouped, sharing a house in Oxford, and began recording demos.

Pablo Honey and "Creep" (1992–1994)

After signing a six-album record deal with EMI in late 1991, the band changed their name to Radiohead, taken from the song "Radio Head" on the Talking Heads album "True Stories". Their debut single, "Creep," was released in 1992 and initially achieved little success in the UK. However, the song became a surprise international hit in 1993, particularly in the U.S. and Israel. Radiohead's debut album, "Pablo Honey," was released in February 1993. While it received some positive reviews, many critics found it underdeveloped. The success of "Creep" led to extensive touring, but the band grew weary of the song and the pressure to replicate its success.

The Bends (1995)

Radiohead's second album, "The Bends," released in 1995, marked a significant shift in their musical style. The album was produced by John Leckie and featured a more layered and expansive sound than their debut. It received widespread critical acclaim and helped establish the band as more than one-hit wonders. Songs like "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High and Dry" showcased a greater emotional depth and musical complexity. "The Bends" is often cited as a turning point for the band, influencing a generation of British rock acts.

OK Computer (1997)

Released in 1997, "OK Computer" is widely regarded as a landmark album of the 1990s and one of the greatest albums of all time. Produced by Nigel Godrich, the album saw the band move away from guitar-driven rock towards a more experimental and conceptual sound, with themes of anti-capitalism, consumerism, and alienation in the modern world. The album's dense, layered sound and abstract lyrics were a significant departure from their previous work. "OK Computer" won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and was nominated for Album of the Year.

Kid A and Amnesiac (2000–2001)

For their next albums, Radiohead took an even more radical stylistic departure. Recorded in the same sessions, "Kid A" (2000) and "Amnesiac" (2001) incorporated influences from electronic music, krautrock, jazz, and 20th-century classical music, with a decreased role for guitars. The albums were met with a divided but largely positive reception, with many praising the band's willingness to experiment. "Kid A" became their first number-one album in the US.

Hail to the Thief (2003)

Radiohead's sixth album, "Hail to the Thief," released in 2003, was seen as a synthesis of their previous rock and electronic styles. The band aimed for a more spontaneous recording process, capturing many tracks live in the studio. The lyrics were influenced by the political climate of the time, particularly the "War on Terror." It was their final album under their contract with EMI.

In Rainbows (2007)

After parting ways with EMI, Radiohead self-released their seventh album, "In Rainbows," in 2007 through a pay-what-you-want model on their website. This innovative release strategy garnered significant media attention. The album itself was critically acclaimed for its more personal and intimate lyrics and its blend of electronic and rock elements, and is considered by many to be one of their best works.

The King of Limbs (2011)

"The King of Limbs," released in 2011, was an exploration of rhythm and was developed using extensive looping and sampling. The album was shorter and more rhythmically complex than its predecessors and received generally positive reviews, though some found it less accessible.

A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)

Radiohead's ninth and most recent studio album, "A Moon Shaped Pool," was released in 2016. The album features prominent orchestral and choral arrangements by Jonny Greenwood, performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra. Many of the songs had been written years earlier. The album was noted for its beautiful and sparse soundscapes and received widespread critical acclaim.