Radiohead

In the world of alternative rock music, there are few bands that have been as influential and consistently innovative as Radiohead. The Oxford-based group consists of Thom Yorke (guitar/vocals), Ed O'Brien (guitar), Philip Selway (drums), and Colin and Jonny Greenwood on bass and lead guitar, respectively. Despite forming in the late 80s, their breakthrough didn't come until the release of their hit single "Creep" in 1992. Since then, they have released nine studio albums and have become known for their experimentation with new sounds and alternative marketing strategies.

About Radiohead

Radiohead began in 1985 when the band's members were still schoolmates in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Originally called On a Friday, the band played at local shows and practiced in the home of Colin and Jonny Greenwood's mother. Eventually, they caught the attention of record labels and signed with EMI in 1991. It was then that they changed their name to Radiohead and recorded their first EP, “Drill," which was released in 1992. Despite being a commercial failure, the EP caught the attention of critics and helped to establish the band's sound.

Following the release of “Drill,” Radiohead's single "Creep" became a smash hit and launched the band into the mainstream. Their debut album, “Pablo Honey,” was released in 1993, which included the hit single “Creep.” The album was moderately successful and received mixed reviews, but most critics believed that Radiohead would be a one-hit-wonder.

Radiohead, however, proved the critics wrong with their sophomore album release in 1995, “The Bends.” This album showcased a much more mature and complex sound than their debut album and is widely considered one of the band's best works. With the release of 1997’s “OK Computer," Radiohead cemented their status as one of the most closely watched and influential bands of the 90s. The album was widely considered the best record of the year and listed among the most important rock albums of the 1990s.

Despite the newfound success, Radiohead responded with two experimental follow-ups, “Kid A” and “Amnesiac,” that departed from their Brit-pop beginnings and experimented with less radio-friendly sounds. In addition, their lyrics became more politicized, and they took more influence from avant-garde composers like Krzysztof Penderecki, Olivier Messiaen, and Scott Walker.

With their next album, “Hail to the Thief,” in 2003, the band continued this experimental trend, creating their most political album to date. The themes were fueled by anger and objection, inspired by the US election and George W. Bush's candidacy.

In 2007, Radiohead released “In Rainbows," their seventh studio album. The band was now considered the most popular unsigned band in the world, having parted ways with EMI. They made the bold decision to publish their album online without a distributor and sell the album at whatever price the audience intended to pay. “In Rainbows” was a commercial and critical success, winning two Grammy Awards and being placed among Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time.

Radiohead's eighth album, “The King of Limbs” in 2011, marked a divergence from their previous sounds and was criticized as their weakest album. However, it still saw natural evolutions of previously explored directions and is considered to be an interaction between technology and the natural world.

The band continued to evolve with their ninth album release in 2016, “A Moon Shaped Pool.” The album showcased the band taking a more personal direction and moving beyond their existential dreads. It received critical acclaim, with Pitchfork giving the album a 9.1 out of 10.

Despite the band's success, members have been involved in many side projects over the years. Thom Yorke has released solo records such as “The Eraser,” “Tomorrow's Modern Boxes,” and “ANIMA." Jonny Greenwood collaborated with Paul Thomas Anderson to compose soundtracks for films like “There Will Be Blood,” “The Master,” and “Phantom Thread.” The band has also experimented with alternative marketing strategies, such as the unique “pay what you want” pricing for their album “In Rainbows."

Today, Radiohead's influence on alternative rock and experimental music is undeniable. Their willingness to push boundaries and create something new with each album has made them one of the most celebrated bands of their generation. With nine studio albums and a legion of fans spanning the globe, it's clear that Radiohead's legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.