Rank radiohead albums [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

Jayw

02-14-2011, 04:06 PM

It seems like we have some radiohead fans on the board. I have been listening to all the albums lately and trying to decide which one is my favorite. With a new album due out this Saturday what is your personal ranking of albums?

Lets just stick to studio albums.

From least favorite to most.

7- Pablo honey(93)- My least favorite album. Creep was fine but it is hard for me to really get into the album as a whole.

6- The bends(95)-Much improved over their first release, seems like they are starting to find their sound.

5- Kid A(00)- This was the first album I bought and the first time I heard radiohead. I was into the stoner high school thing I had no idea what I stumbled upon.

4- OK computer(97)- A complete album great flow.

3- Amnesiac(01)- Nearly a perfect CD. There are a few misses for me that bring it down a notch. I can't stand morning bell.

2- In rainbows(07)- An epic release. I also saw them live in stl for the in rainbows tour. My favorite concert to date. I skipped over the 2nd cd at first, then I discovered some real gems.

1- Hail to the thief(03)- Every song is fantastic. From start to finish no need to hit the skip button. A journey.

I found it incredibly difficult to put a rank on the top 3 but just calling it a tie would be a cop out.

RoseBlood

02-14-2011, 04:17 PM

Least to Most:

Pablo Honey
Amnesiac
The Bends
Ok Computer
Kid A
Hail to the Thief
In Rainbows

KnoxHarrington

02-14-2011, 04:19 PM

Least to most:

Pablo Honey
Hail to the Thief
Amnesiac
The Bends
Kid A
In Rainbows
OK Computer

HBox

02-14-2011, 04:22 PM

That's really interesting. I've never heard anyone who said that Hail To The Thief is bad, but I've also never met or heard anybody ranking it above The Bends, OK Computer or In Rainbows. Here's my list.

7. Pablo Honey - I think this is everyone's 7. It's not bad. That's all I'll say about it.

6. Hail To The Thief - Personally, I think it's their only post-Bends stumble. Not that it makes it a bad album, or even merely a good album. After it came out I listened to it on my commute to NYC to and from for a month straight. This is 6 because I'm grading on a Radiohead curve.

5. Kid A - It took me YEARS to "get" this album. Once I did I was hooked. I personally prefer Amnesiac....

4. Amnesiac - mainly because of Pyramid Song. My favorite song from the two albums tips this in Amnesiac's favor.

3. The Bends - Although I will say that The Bends might be Radiohead's biggest accomplishment. It sounds nothing like any of their other records and yet it's a classic. I can listen to this front to back any day.

2. OK Computer - This would be their game changer and it took me awhile to "get" this one too. Not nearly as long as it took me to "get" Kid A/Amnesiac but a while. Paranoid Android hooked me immediately but the rest of the album took longer. I'm constantly amazed by what I'm hearing every time I listen to it.

1. In Rainbows - I never thought anything would top OK Computer in my mind. And yet In Rainbows constantly grows on me, an accomplishment for an album that I liked a hell of a lot when I first listened. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, 15 Step, Reckoner, All I Need, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Videotape, Up On The Ladder, I'm hopelessly in love with every one of these tracks.

HBox

02-14-2011, 04:29 PM

I also saw them live in stl for the in rainbows tour. My favorite concert to date. I skipped over the 2nd cd at first, then I discovered some real gems.

I saw them two nights in a row when they were touring for In Rainbows at the All Points West festival. I had the best of both worlds. The first night I was right up against the stage. I had camped up at the stage at 1 pm and stayed there until they came on at 9. From 3 pm on I was standing all the way through. It was still worth it. They started with 15 Step and everyone up there with me knew every lyric and sang along. It was that way through the entire show. Some chick next to me started crying half way through Lucky. For some people it was like a religious experience.

The next night I hung way back, laid on the grass, relaxed and zoned out to the music. I will never forget hearing Pyramid Song while staring straight up into the summer night sky. Two nights I will never forget.

I cannot wait to see them again when they get around to touring for King of Limbs.

keithy_19

02-14-2011, 04:30 PM

7. Hail to the Thief
6. Amnesiac
5. Pablo Honey
4. The Bends
3. In Rainbows
2. Kid A
1. OK Computer

Jayw

02-14-2011, 04:54 PM

That's really interesting. I've never heard anyone who said that Hail To The Thief is bad, but I've also never met or heard anybody ranking it above The Bends, OK Computer or In Rainbows. Here's my list.

To be honest my numbers probably fluctuate depending on what song I just heard that blew me away for the 50th time. But I really love the slightly sad sound of hail to the thief.

I just listened to OK computer and just hearing exit music (for a film) makes me want to move it up.

Thats what I was feeling though going through each playlist, to each their own.

keithy_19

02-14-2011, 05:22 PM

I'm the only one here so far to have Pablo Honey not at the bottom.

I know that they have much better records, but for whatever reason that one sticks with me.

Jayw

02-14-2011, 05:28 PM

I'm the only one here so far to have Pablo Honey not at the bottom.

I know that they have much better records, but for whatever reason that one sticks with me.

I will go as far as saying I avoid it completely (is that like a radiohead sin?). I can't get through a listen without skipping a shitload of songs. I discovered radiohead late though,Kid A, and didn't become a diehard fan a few years later when I got to college.

HBox

02-14-2011, 05:43 PM

I think most Radiohead fans try to pretend Pablo Honey doesn't exist., I don't think it's bad, but considering everything that followed, it's not the same band. I mean look at this:

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PECnzN8P6KQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Including Pablo Honey is like trying to place a Flaming Lips album in a list of best Pearl Jam albums.

Jayw

02-14-2011, 05:51 PM

I don't think it's bad, but considering everything that followed, it's not the same band. I mean look at this:

I didn't make it that long into that video lol. It looks and sounds like a completely different band thats for sure

keithy_19

02-14-2011, 05:58 PM

I will go as far as saying I avoid it completely (is that like a radiohead sin?). I can't get through a listen without skipping a shitload of songs. I discovered radiohead late though,Kid A, and didn't become a diehard fan a few years later when I got to college.

It's possibly because it was the first album of theirs I bought. So it has sentimental value added to it.

spoon

02-14-2011, 11:32 PM

Philly Franko

02-14-2011, 11:43 PM

I will be checking them out and downloading some of thier tunes...Love good Music...

A.J.

02-15-2011, 05:08 AM

Mojo would have loved this thread. :glurps:

STD

02-15-2011, 09:52 PM

7- Pablo honey (93)

6- Hail to the thief (03)

5- Amnesiac (01)

4- Kid A (00)

3- In rainbows (07)

2- OK computer (97)

1- The Bends (95)

Love most but the Bends is just fucking epic, yet so is OK...and rainbows...you get the point.
That's exactly how mine would go. Maybe it's because it came before the rest, and it's partly nostalgia, but nothing has been able to overtake The Bends for me.

Pablo Honey is not only bad on the Radiohead scale, I think it's bad on any. It's Creep, then a bunch of shit. I can't think of any band that made a bigger jump from one album to the next. It's pretty remarkable.

spoon

02-15-2011, 11:16 PM

That's exactly how mine would go. Maybe it's because it came before the rest, and it's partly nostalgia, but nothing has been able to overtake The Bends for me.

Pablo Honey is not only bad on the Radiohead scale, I think it's bad on any. It's Creep, then a bunch of shit. I can't think of any band that made a bigger jump from one album to the next. It's pretty remarkable.

My list is like an std, it's catching.

:wallbash::lol:

Terry Pabb

02-16-2011, 12:24 AM

instrument

02-16-2011, 05:28 AM

it would also be interesting to see where you "jumped on the bandwagon"

the only people i know who act like pablo honey doesn't exist is people who started listening at ok computer.

KnoxHarrington

02-16-2011, 06:41 AM

it would also be interesting to see where you "jumped on the bandwagon"

the only people i know who act like pablo honey doesn't exist is people who started listening at ok computer.

Yeah, but at the time, I don't think anyone could have been able to tell just how brilliant Radiohead really was, or was going to be. They seemed like, on first glance, just another one of the flood of "alternative" acts that popped up in the wake of Nirvana's success. "Creep" was, and is, a brilliant song, but there were tons of acts with that one great song too at that point.

It wasn't until "The Bends" that they revealed just what an incredible band they were, and then with "OK Computer", they became something else entirely, something completely new. "Pablo Honey" isn't as bad as some say, but it's juvenilia.

spoon

02-16-2011, 09:27 AM

Yeah, but at the time, I don't think anyone could have been able to tell just how brilliant Radiohead really was, or was going to be. They seemed like, on first glance, just another one of the flood of "alternative" acts that popped up in the wake of Nirvana's success. "Creep" was, and is, a brilliant song, but there were tons of acts with that one great song too at that point.

It wasn't until "The Bends" that they revealed just what an incredible band they were, and then with "OK Computer", they became something else entirely, something completely new. "Pablo Honey" isn't as bad as some say, but it's juvenilia.

Great take on this Knox. To me, I HATED that song at first too, and the band bc of it. That song was my first look at the band and with the video they just seemed exactly as you said, another copy act. In fact I thought worse at the time bc Creep seemingly was a targeted attempt to fit an outsider mold and it just rubbed me the wrong way.

After The Bends came out and I listened to it at a Tower Records listening booth (so sad and outdated now) I was shocked. Creep and one or two other songs on that cd fit their "Bends" sound looking back and they grew on me. While I still rank it last, it isn't complete garbage.

However, to me Radiohead's more recent work is too convoluted and lack the organic feel that The Bends mastered, and OK Computer still managed to keep in spite of a completely different feel. Live the shows they put on are outstanding, but for me they haven't come close to those two cds with the later work bc it's too divergent but clearly that was intended. It's where they went as a band and I still like it, but to me it's just not as good. The Bends and OK Computer are both in my top 20 cds all-time list, the others don't even come close. That being said, In Rainbows had a little more form and seemingly came back a little to my favorite incarnation of Radiohead. Yet it's still too all over the place and noisy to me to get into a great cd discussion. It all comes down to what you are looking for, and interesting enough I like their current style now in other bands, just not them over the course of 8-12 songs. They need more contrast and form once in while on the newer works.

Still looking forward to a new cd! Great thread/discussion too. Forgot one thing, PapaBear sucks. That is all.

HBox

02-16-2011, 11:06 AM

One thing that is often overlooked is how amazing this video is. Sorry, can't embed. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIFLtNYI3Ls)

spoon

02-16-2011, 11:44 AM

One thing that is often overlooked is how amazing this video is. Sorry, can't embed. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIFLtNYI3Ls)

One of my favs in vid and song.

STD

02-17-2011, 01:51 AM

One thing that's interesting to me about them is they always have a song that fits onto the next album. You can hear them shifting into something else, while they've already just shifted. It's pretty awesome. I only just recently found out that Planet Telex was the only song they wrote in the studio while recording The Bends, so it had to be the last song they wrote during that period. Which makes perfect sense, because it's a song that could be on OK Computer. Probably the only song on The Bends you could say that about. And like Spoon said about Creep, that's a Bends song stuck on a shitty Pablo Honey album.

They also do tend to do a song that you can revert backwards with too. Like they're aware of their own lineage and are saying, "Hey, we're still Radiohead. Don't worry." Kid A was a pretty frightening first listen. I didn't know what the fuck was going on at first. But they threw Optimistic smack in the middle of it all, which could have been on OK Computer, and it made me exactly what it's song's title (but not necessarily the song itself) suggested I be.

Another thing I'll say about The Bends, since I love it so, for better or worse, the two biggest current British bands owe their entire careers to that album, which is impressive. And to different parts of that album to boot, because it was just that goddamn diverse. Coldplay took the High and Dry approach. Muse took the Just approach. And they've built two polar opposite sounds, while being shockingly derivative to the very same album. I guess they've matured into their own sounds in recent years (I'd fucking hope so), but still, fuck those two bands (although Origin of Symmetry was pretty sweet).

Kublakhan61

02-17-2011, 01:56 AM

7. Pablo Honey
6. Hail to the Thief
5. In Rainbows
4. Kid A
3. OK Computer
2. The Bends
1. Amnesiac

Pablo Honey is dead last because, for me, it just isn't interesting enough given the rest of the catalog. Hail to the Thief almost made me quit being a fan. I thought the doubled song titles and the Anti-Bush messaging was trite (I know Thom said it wasn't JUST about Bush...) In Rainbows was OK but after about a month I didn't care that it ever happened.
Kid A, I LOVE but, OK Computer had a greater impact on me. The Bends has better songwriting. And, Amnesiac is just by far my favorite.

underdog

02-17-2011, 05:45 AM

KnoxHarrington

02-17-2011, 06:07 AM

7. Pablo Honey
6. The Bends
5. OK Computer
4. Hail To The Thief
3. In Rainbows
2. Amnesiac
1. Kid A

I've been a fan since Creep came out, and when Kid A came out, it shook me and hit me in a way very few albums ever have. It's still heavy in my rotation to this day. They're also one of those bands who changed their sound at a point, and it pissed all the "opies" and "jims" of the world off ("WHY DOESN'T EVERYTHING SOUND LIKE CREEP!"), yet they were evolving and I loved it because their sound continued being relevant to my life (radiohead's relevancy actually increased big time to me). NIN is definitely another band that this same thing happened to.

Well, that's why I'm still a Radiohead fan, but not still a Weezer fan. Weezer did attempt to evolve once, with "Pinkerton", but when that album failed commercially and got mixed reviews, they retreated back to churning out basically the same record over and over and over, and I'm just tired of them now and no longer have interest in what they do.

Jayw

02-17-2011, 09:20 AM

One thing that's interesting to me about them is they always have a song that fits onto the next album. You can hear them shifting into something else, while they've already just shifted. It's pretty awesome. I only just recently found out that Planet Telex was the only song they wrote in the studio while recording The Bends, so it had to be the last song they wrote during that period. Which makes perfect sense, because it's a song that could be on OK Computer. Probably the only song on The Bends you could say that about. And like Spoon said about Creep, that's a Bends song stuck on a shitty Pablo Honey album.

They also do tend to do a song that you can revert backwards with too. Like they're aware of their own lineage and are saying, "Hey, we're still Radiohead. Don't worry." Kid A was a pretty frightening first listen. I didn't know what the fuck was going on at first. But they threw Optimistic smack in the middle of it all, which could have been on OK Computer, and it made me exactly what it's song's title (but not necessarily the song itself) suggested I be.

Really interesting take. I think you are so right about the way you can see the transition from each album. Bravo my man. The way that they can change their sound from album to album but not completely destroy what makes them 'radiohead' is fucking brilliant.

Jayw

02-17-2011, 09:27 AM

They're also one of those bands who changed their sound at a point, and it pissed all the "opies" and "jims" of the world off ("WHY DOESN'T EVERYTHING SOUND LIKE CREEP!"), yet they were evolving and I loved it because their sound continued being relevant to my life (radiohead's relevancy actually increased big time to me). NIN is definitely another band that this same thing happened to.

I get the NIN thing that is another band I shied away from at first but in recent years I have explored deeply and seen some real genius. I just downloaded their live album a few weeks ago and was blown away.

Oh shit 2 days away from new radiohead album and not even a set-list! I wonder if you will be able to download it at midnight Friday night.

spoon

02-17-2011, 11:22 AM

Great take STD (wow that sounds weird)! I love NIN as well, and Ghosts is amazing. I put that shit on and you feel like you're in a movie being hunted down or suddenly dealing with something so tragic. It evokes so much emotion and energy every time I play it.

Barnaby Jones

02-18-2011, 05:18 AM

It's arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!

HBox

02-18-2011, 05:38 AM

I just gave it a listen. Uh.... Flying Lotus anyone?

Terry Pabb

02-18-2011, 08:17 AM

I just gave it a listen. Uh.... Flying Lotus anyone?

Yeah I noticed that too. Seems that collaboration rubbed off some.

I really like Little By Little, Lotus Flower, and Separator. The album as a whole reminded me more of a Thom Yorke solo album though.

Jayw

02-18-2011, 08:36 AM

It's arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had no idea, downloading now woot.

Jayw

02-18-2011, 08:43 AM

The album as a whole reminded me more of a Thom Yorke solo album though.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I need to give it a day, but you nailed it man sounds like eraser 2.

disneyspy

02-18-2011, 08:52 AM

i'll rank em-they all suck

Jayw

02-18-2011, 09:01 AM

i'll rank em-they all suck

That is the line of the day for me. nice job sir

Kublakhan61

02-18-2011, 09:47 AM

The album as a whole reminded me more of a Thom Yorke solo album though.

I disagree with that. The music is very good and seemed to be very Johnny Greenwood driven, but then Thom just whined all over it.

I found the Eraser to be a difficult listen, this was much better - i.e. Greenwood is holding Thom's hand.

Terry Pabb

02-18-2011, 11:10 AM

I disagree with that. The music is very good and seemed to be very Johnny Greenwood driven, but then Thom just whined all over it.

I found the Eraser to be a difficult listen, this was much better - i.e. Greenwood is holding Thom's hand.

I enjoyed Eraser, just re-listened to a few songs in fact. Eraser had more rhythm than I'd remembered, while King of Limbs is a lot more ethereal.

There isn't really a stand out track for me, but I do like the album overall. My only real complaint is that he never really comes out of soft, falsetto singing.

Kublakhan61

02-18-2011, 01:48 PM

I enjoyed Eraser, just re-listened to a few songs in fact. Eraser had more rhythm than I'd remembered, while King of Limbs is a lot more ethereal.

There isn't really a stand out track for me, but I do like the album overall. My only real complaint is that he never really comes out of soft, falsetto singing.

I agree about Thom's voice - I guess after 15 years of it I'm just ready to pack it up and say thanks for the memories. I listened to this album a few times today and it was a bit of a chore for me.

I think when Thom did Eraser and Johnny did Bodysong, I shifted in my expectations of Radiohead. I just want more Johnny on each record. I won't be buying this one - this is the first time that's happened for me.

HBox

02-18-2011, 01:52 PM

I'm liking this a lot more hearing it at home than I did when I was listening to it at work this morning. That being said none of the songs are really grabbing me yet. Codex is probably my favorite so far. Radiohead albums usually grow on me so I'll see where this lands on the list in a couple years.

There two things I will definitely say: this is their most mellow album so far and it sounds more like Kid A/Amnesiac than any other of their albums.

Jayw

02-18-2011, 03:18 PM

After many rotations today I am satisfied, but I wouldn't say thrilled. It is no in rainbows but TKOL has its moments. I really love the second half of the album starting at 'feral', its a slow build up to the main event lotus flowers. Then you get hit with codex after lotus flowers. Then a slow fade to a nice ending track 'seperator'.

My favs
-lotus flowers
-codex
-little by little
-separator

The best outcome of this album will be the new tour dates.

HBox

02-18-2011, 03:25 PM

If I didn't know Nigel Godrich was the producer I would have sworn that Flying Lotus produced at least Bloom. A lot of the album sounds influenced by Flying Lotus but in no track is felt more strongly than Bloom.

underdog

09-26-2011, 06:56 AM

Anyone get tickets to the Roseland shows?

They're on an hour long Colbert tonight.

HBox

09-26-2011, 07:00 AM

Anyone get tickets to the Roseland shows?

They're on an hour long Colbert tonight.

I tried but...... no.

They are touring next year though so not all is lost.

underdog

09-26-2011, 07:13 AM

I tried but...... no.

They are touring next year though so not all is lost.

I was looking forward to this, as they're playing like 4 blocks from my house. But I also failed at getting tickets.

HBox

09-26-2011, 07:57 AM

I was looking forward to this, as they're playing like 4 blocks from my house. But I also failed at getting tickets.

I didn't get my hopes up for getting tickets. With the size of Roseland I knew it was going to be a longshot.

spoon

09-29-2011, 04:42 PM

At the radiohead show now & reminded of how much I hate djs right now.

spoon

09-29-2011, 04:44 PM

Anyone get tickets to the Roseland shows?

They're on an hour long Colbert tonight.

Guess I answered that one.

HBox

09-29-2011, 04:53 PM

While this thread is active I have to say that all of the new songs they have released or performed since The King of Limbs came out are better than the majority of The King of Limbs. The Butcher, Superconductor, The Daily Mail and Staircase, replace the 4 weakest King of Limbs songs with them and you have a far superior album.

Spoon you are a very lucky man and for tonight I hate you more than any other human being.

spoon

09-29-2011, 04:58 PM

Eh, so far this dj barrage is making my ears bleed. Weirdest setup to get in ever too. Thank God I didn't have to get in that travesty they called a will call line!

spoon

09-29-2011, 05:01 PM

Might I add, by shitty djs I include udog...oh wait, he's not here! Ohhhhhhhh!

spoon

09-29-2011, 05:35 PM

Four tet with live percussionist actually pretty cool.

HBox

09-29-2011, 05:52 PM

Four tet with live percussionist actually pretty cool.

Damn, Radiohead isn't on yet? This is gonna be a late night. Whether I got tickets last night or tonight I would have had to work the next day. I saw the Foo Fighters Monday and they played until 11:45 and because I just missed the train at Secaucus I didn't get home until 3am. This would have been just as bad.

I still would have gladly done it.

underdog

09-29-2011, 06:02 PM

At the radiohead show now & reminded of how much I hate djs right now.

My name is D.J. :sad:

underdog

09-29-2011, 06:03 PM

Might I add, by shitty djs I include udog...oh wait, he's not here! Ohhhhhhhh!

Uncalled for. :down:

underdog

09-29-2011, 06:03 PM

I'm going to go wait outside the roseland and throw stuff at spoon when he leaves.

spoon

09-29-2011, 06:20 PM

Would it piss u off if I said they started at 10 for both shows.

underdog

09-29-2011, 06:24 PM

Would it piss u off if I said they started at 10 for both shows.

Not really.

Did you get tickets normally, or did you have the hookup or something?

How was last night's show?

spoon

09-29-2011, 07:22 PM