Customer Reviews

Itch

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent album for all Radiohead fans, just read the reviews. I'm just writing this to offer all of you a bit of help. I live in England, and have noticed that the prices on www.amazon.co.uk are much better than you poor people stateside are offered by www.amazon.com. It takes on average a week and a bit to deliver, which was perfectly acceptable for me anyway, but even with the pound being especially strong at the moment, you will make a big saving. This difference is even bigger on any imported albums, as of course in the band's native England we do not have to import them. Maybe while you americans are on amazon.co.uk you could write a review or two as well, as your reviews seem to be on the whole much more intelligent and eloquent than my own compatriots. Good luck :)

Itch is a wonderful Radiohead album. It is filled with a sound that is obviously the transition between Pablo Honey and The Bends. This is before they got their own record label and after they were labeled a "One Hit Wonder" with "Creep."

This Japanese import starts off with "Stop Whispering," which in my opinion is the best song on Pablo Honey. The catchy vocals and pop guitars show that Radiohead can make pop music in their own way. This is labeled a US Version, except Im not quite sure where its different, there may be an extra guitar solo in the middle, not too sure.

"Thinking About You" sounds like early 90s punk rock with Brit-Rock vocals. Very weird. Its okay, very ameteurish, but this is Radiohead in 1994, not 1997.

"Faithless, the Wonder Boy" is an obvious transition to The Bends, sounds a little like what was popular for that time in Britain. Very light until the pre-chorus where some heavy guitars come in, showing a little bit more Bends attitude.

*"Banana Co." is a very popular Radiohead B-Side. This particular song is an acoustic version. To me this song sounds a little like "Fake Plastic Trees." I love the acoustic guitar solo! Wow its beautiful. This is a really great song, you can even hear bass (I think, unless Jonny was playing some bass notes with the chords).

"Killer Cars" is my favorite Radiohead B-Side, and it seems to be one of Radiohead's favorite songs, esp Thom. Even if you have another version, this one is great. Its a Live/Acoustic in Chicago, which was their first US spot. (AND I LIVE THERE!) This song really has a catchy tune, great lyrics and vocals and nice guitars.

"Vegetable" is on Pablo Honey, and isn't really my favorite, but this is nice. The guys are really into it, and so is the crowd, so its very energetic. (Thom says "No Screaming" to the crowd) and the song really picks up as Thom says "Im not a vegetable" and it sounds so great and lively. (Again, live in Chicago)

"You" is the opener to Pablo Honey, starting with a great riff, moving into this heavy song that your feet can't help but move to. This is a nice song, one of Radiohead's first, on an early EP most likely as On A Friday.

"Creep (Acoustic)" is really one of the highlights of the album. The soft vocals and airy guitars make this song so powerful. This is the "very" form instead of the f'in version. The song is very light until "I want a perfect soul" when you can almost feel Thom's pain in "I'm a Creep." The closing of the song is so powerful. Thom's beautiful voice is so loud and breathy that the hairs on your arm stand straight up. Simply a wonderful song.

PROS- Wonderful versions of “Killer Cars,” “Banana Co.,” “Stop Whispering” and “You.” The rest is available elsewhere. Interesting addition to a Radiohead collection. CONS- It is pricey. It is only 8 songs, its not revolutionary music in any way, but it is good, and I do recommend it. GREAT TRANSITION BETWEEN PABLO HONEY AND THE BENDS!!!

Before I get flamed to oblivion, let me make it clear: I'm a huge Radiohead fan. OK Computer and the Bends are my two favorite CDs, and I bought Itch to complete my collection.

And its decent. There are a number of good songs on the CD, notably Vegetable and You. But its mainly a collection of B-Sides from RH's Pablo Honey days, before the band hit their stride with The Bends. If you're an obsessive fan that wants everything, you'll find tracks here you can't get anywhere else, but for the average listener its a mediocre experience not worth the high price.

It's hard not to notice the amazing cost of this CD, and so the most important question is whether it's worth the investment. "Itch" consists of songs that are good by normal rock and roll standards. When one looks back at the Radiohead backcatalogue, however, it is pretty clear that these tracks are among the least interesting the band ever recorded. Several of these are live versions of songs which were included on "Pablo Honey." The acoustic version of 'Creep' is probably the only great revelation among these songs which are merely alternate versions.

On the other hand, there are also a few previously unreleased songs here, and this is where the e.p. really has potential. Nevertheless, as good as 'Banana Co.' and 'Faithless, the Wonder Boy' are, they don't really merit [the] investment. This all having been said, the band in question is indeed Radiohead, and any avid fan of the band will probably want to take the leap in order to own these songs.

The bottom line though is that "My Iron Lung" is an e.p. that sells for basically half the price of "Itch," one can find the same exact acoustic version of "Creep" on it as well, and the songs on it are a lot more accomplished than the ones you will find here on this Japanese import e.p.

Do yourself a favour and visit www.amazon.co.jp if you want this album for cheaper. It costs about 2,745.00 japanese yen, the equivalent to about 26$ US dollars. It'll take longer to ship to the states, but you will be getting it for less money. Just a tip. :)
Oh, you can also do this with amazon.co.uk and all other imported items...check into it before buying!

I bought this CD for one reason, Killer Cars. One of Radiohead's best songs. The only other version I owned was on a bootleg unplugged disc that I got a few months ago. The bonus is that every song on this disc kills. It's a great compliment to anyone's CD library.

This EP import was originally released in Japan after the release of Pablo Honey. It's all unreleased in the USA. It includes Stop Whispering(US version), Thinking About You(fast version), Faithless The Wonder Boy, Banano Co., Killer Cars(live), Vegetable(live),You(live), and a acoustic version of Creep with just Thom. A real gem in your RH collection, but probrably a waste for the people who only like RH's big hits. Live songs are all good and the b-sides are so-so.

There's no denying that Radiohead sticks out among the unlistenable crap that surfaced in altern-rock lately. With its softly surreal lyrics provided by Yorke, and the smashing instruments from the rest, Radiohead makes this disc a must-have for music lovers in general.

An import that is a must have. The US versions of stop whispering and been thinking about you are excellant. The song killer cars is one that makes me wish I lived in the UK so I could see them live. A few of the songs are a little slower and average, but still well worth listening to.

Radiohead is my favourite band and Itch EP happens to be my favourite Radiohead's single. I simply love it. Thom's vocals are so great in live performances on this album, and I like the guitars very much, especially in Banana Co and Creep. Extremely recommended!