Radiohead - Pablo Honey

Doesn't really foreshadow the future greatness of the band...

Today, I made an amusing discovery in the bottom of one of my desk drawers - the cassette tape single from when this album first came out of "Creep." I was 12 years old at the time, and like many people who went through adolescence in the early nineties, I had just really started to get heavily into music thanks to Nirvana. I loved "Creep" when I first heard it, so I picked up this single, and if you've never heard it, the B-Side of "Creep" is a song called "Faithless, the Wonder Boy," and it truly is outstanding (unfortunate that it wasn't put on Pablo Honey). So, I bought this album (back in the day), and while I still loved the two songs on the "Creep" single, the majority of Pablo Honey didn't do much for me.

I was thinking that Radiohead was just another "Nirvana clone," (as a LOT of people were), so it took me until O.K. Computer came out to give them another chance. Of course, I've been a huge fan of pretty much everything they've released since that point (and even before it - "The Bends" is probably my FAVORITE Radiohead album).

But, enough rambling, it's been many years since I listened to Pablo Honey as a whole album, and my musical tastes have evolved quite a bit from when it first came out, so I was kind of expecting that these past 15 years would help me appreciate it more.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. While I pretentiously dismissing the album for pathetic reasons (as I had back in the day), the music it contained still just didn't resonate with me (for the most part - "Stop Whispering," and "You" are pretty sweet songs). In particular, I couldn't help thinking "why am I listening to this, when I could be listening to "The Bends," or "OK Computer?" The album is extremely straightforward, and really doesn't hint much at the direction this band was going to take.

Oh well, I'm sure glad they DID got that direction. Pablo Honey may still not be my favorite album, but Radiohead is definitely still one of my favorite bands. August 9, 2008

3 out of 5 Stars

For all intents and purposes, The Bends was Radiohead's true debut. Indeed, many Radiohead fans pass over this album as if it never existed. However, listening to the album, one immediately hears a promising collection of tunes, that, while not as fleshed out as those on follow-up The Bends, makes clear the direction the band would eventually settle in. "Blow Out", ending on a long instrumental break of distorted guitars, and "You", the album's opening salvo (not to mention its odd time signature), signal the band's experimentation on future endeavors. And while the band seemingly has difficulty writing compelling material, there are highlights scattered throughout, whether it be the U2-esque buildup of "Stop Whispering", the lilting "Lurgee" or the Jim Morrison-mocking "Anyone Can Play Guitar". The true highlight, however, comes in the form of the self-loathing monster hit "Creep", which is still a radio staple today. Best bit: Lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood's two notes of distortion before the chorus (which, ironically enough, was done to try to "ruin" what he considered a poor song). July 21, 2008

Great look back!

An album I seemed to have overlooked, Pablo Honey is a great look back at the roots of Radiohead. Everyone remembers "Creep", but the album reveals a more primal grunge-alt-rock side of this musically mature band. July 20, 2008

Best Band Ever

This is the first CD of the best band in the entire universe. Buy it. Buy them all and ascend to the highest level of existence. July 5, 2008

Awesome Rockers

I've never been much into head bangin' music. But, I heard their song "Creep" on the tv show Rockstar Supernova, and was floored. I bought the CD and love to crank it up. They are real trendsetters in the music business. Rock on!!! June 7, 2008

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