|
|
|
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customers
|
|
|
The most helpful favorable review
The most helpful critical review
66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
Believe me, this is the album of my life!
I was really, really sad with some reviews here. So I decided to "stop whispering" and to start shouting... This is an album that takes a long time to grow on you, but when it does...Let me explain: In the beginning of 1994, I found this album in a local store. Since then, I was very curious to hear new bands (I didn't even knew who Radiohead was). At the...
Published on May 1, 2000 by Eduardo Ribeiro Bandeira
|
› See more 5 star, 4 star reviews |
 |
90 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
Solid first effort remains a curio in the Radiohead oeuvre
The alternating bars of 12/8 and 11/8 that drive "Pablo Honey's" opening track, "You," should have given some indication to the masses that Radiohead would not be forever content to dwell in indie rock's lo-fi world. Though a solid debut effort, "Pablo Honey" gives little indication that Radiohead would go on to influence an entire generation of bands (Coldplay, Travis,...
Published on February 3, 2005 by Eddie Konczal
|
› See more 3 star, 2 star, 1 star reviews |
|
|
66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
Believe me, this is the album of my life!, May 1, 2000
I was really, really sad with some reviews here. So I decided to "stop whispering" and to start shouting... This is an album that takes a long time to grow on you, but when it does...Let me explain: In the beginning of 1994, I found this album in a local store. Since then, I was very curious to hear new bands (I didn't even knew who Radiohead was). At the moment I heard it, I decided to buy it. I wasn't wrong at all. It quickly became my favorite album, I used to hear it all the time in my school days...Some time later, "Creep" became famous and I thought "Oh, now the world will discover this fantastic band!" But I was wrong... All the songs here are extraordinary, though my favorite ones are "Lurgee", "Vegetable", "Ripcord", "I can't" and, of course, "Thinking about you". I started to play them all the time with my own band and "Anyone can play guitar" remains as the ideal song to remind us of that distant age of innocence. Today we're all lawyers, doctors and this kind of stuff, but "The Pablo Honey Appreciation Society" (that was the name of the band!) still takes us on a trip to the past. The melancholic lyrics, the angst in Thom's voice, the rage full of emotion that only Jon can take from his guitar, it's all here. Then came "The bends" and "OK Computer" (their masterpiece). For my disappointment, when "The bends" was released nobody gave it the attention it deserved (this mistake only was corrected after Ok Computer's huge success). I agree that OK Computer is an historic album, and I understand that people who became Radiohead's fans after it aren't very fond of "Pablo Honey", but it's not fault of the album itself. After so many years, whenever I listen to it (and it happens at least twice a week) I became more sure of its perfection...Although I love every single song of the greatest band in the world, this album is still my favorite...I have a sugestion: Buy this album as if it was made by another artist. I hope that it causes you the same emotions it causes me whenever I hear it! This is definetely the album of my life!P.S. "Creep" is not the best song here!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
90 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
Solid first effort remains a curio in the Radiohead oeuvre, February 3, 2005
The alternating bars of 12/8 and 11/8 that drive "Pablo Honey's" opening track, "You," should have given some indication to the masses that Radiohead would not be forever content to dwell in indie rock's lo-fi world. Though a solid debut effort, "Pablo Honey" gives little indication that Radiohead would go on to influence an entire generation of bands (Coldplay, Travis, Doves, Keane, et al).
"Pablo Honey" is most famous for the hit single "Creep," a simple post-grunge pop song completely atypical of the Oxford quintet's style. In fact, the song was never originally intended for the album. As the story goes, Thom Yorke had written it years before and was strumming it in the studio, when a passing record exec heard it and insisted on including it on the record. The rest is history, as they say. Though "Creep" ranks among Radiohead's least distinctive songs, it did put them on the music world's map, for which we should be eternally thankful.
Beyond "Creep," only a few songs stand out: "You" with its driving odd meters; the heartfelt ballad "Thinking About You;" the energetic "Ripcord;" and the dynamic "Stop Whispering," which starts as a catchy pop tune but builds to a ferocious crescendo that foreshadows Radiohead's evolution towards more complex arrangements. "Pablo Honey's" performances and production values are solid but lackluster, and may disappoint those expecting the studio wizardry and technical virtuosity Radiohead would go on to achieve on "The Bends," "OK Computer," and "Kid A."
All in all, "Pablo Honey" is a decent record, far overrated by the indie mavens who disowned Radiohead after they went "art rock," and unlikely to satisfy those more familiar with their later, more progressive work. It's a worthwhile debut, but remains a curio in Radiohead's increasingly impressive and accomplished oeuvre.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
An extraordinary production and an even more amazing debut: own it, March 24, 2006
Back in 1993, it wasn't easy to hear much around besides grunge. Yet, Radiohead's "Creep" managed to make it in between Nirvana's, Pearl Jam's and Green Day's hits to catch the ear of many who -like me- continue to be devoted fans of their work to this day.
From the opening guitar line of "You" it is hard not to get caught by the magic of their musical phrasing. This is all pre-Oasis, pre-Travis. This is indie prog rock in the making, with these guys fabricating a new electric sound in songs like "How Do You?" and balancing it off in others like "Thinking About You" where the acoustic guitar can be just as powerful. Then, combining the two in "Ripcord" and making you feel like rock music first started to be played like this.
"Pablo Honey" is not Radiohead's best work (that honor would probably belong to "OK Computer"). Yet it's an extraordinary production and an even more amazing debut. Many bands since and before them would want to have their best album ever be half as solid as Radiohead's first one.
Own it.
UPDATE (06/03/08): Thanks for the clarification about "pre-James". Indeed James were making music before Radiohead.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
You've GOT to be CRAZY..., August 7, 2002
...I used to listen to OK Computer 24 hours a day - 7 days a week...then I got hooked on The Bends....Then Kid A....Then Amnesiac (with any other Radiohead CD I can find)...and I always just left Pablo Honey as the "other" album...the "rock" album that was a bit premature...I wrote it off....good listen, but not really addicting.Boy was I wrong...just like any other of their albums, you need to listen to it a lot to get the full appreciation. I realize now that it IS 100% radiohead. Every aspect of their music is in here - in a wonderful raw form. There are times when I think this is their best album....I'm not kidding!!! The guitar throughout this album is fantastic...the whining background feeds, the distortion, the acoustic...it's all there. You rocks with an amazing combination of angst and sincerity...Creep (all you people that CRY about it being a sell-out song or whatever, give me a break...YOU ruined that song for yourself if you listened to it too much - or - if are influenced by what others think who's the real sell out) is one of the finest songs of the decade...the Punk influence in How Do You is wonderful - amazing lyrics across all these by the way...social message of Stop Whispering....Thinking About You might be my favorite radiohead song...so pure and unbridled...Anyone Can Play Guitar - I don't even really need to mention - it's another of their best...Ripcord - one of the most underated songs...Vegetable....Prove Yourself...I Can't...Lurgee...Blow Out....I can't get enough of any of these. Seriously - you can't call yourself a radiohead fan if you don't appreciate this gem!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
An amazing debut full of emotion and honesty., August 25, 2000
It's amazing to think how much Radiohead have progressed from "Pablo Honey" to "OK Computer." I can't see how people can slam this album. Just goes to show the true nature of all snobby ... intellectual music fans who praised "OK Computer." I think you could describe "Pablo Honey" as bittersweet. It's depressing but hopeful at the same time. It starts out with the killer musically and lyrically opening track "You" followed up the famous "Creep" which was reuined by too much radio play and the world marking Radiohead as a one-hit wonder. I see how Radiohead could regret writing it but it's still an amazing song and speaks with real honesty. "How Do You?" is a fast paced post-punk rock song about a betrayal. The next two songs are my favorite on the album. "Stop Whispering" has a great catchy guitar riff with light drumming in the background that starts out slowly and rises along with Thom Yorke's vocals. It may not be fancy or really creative but it does something to me inside. "Thinking About You" is a beautiful light acoustic song. The lyrics are about questioning a relationship and weather to pursuit it or not. "Anyone Can Play Guitar" is one of Radiohead's most uplifting tunes. It has an under surface message that really you can do anything in life. It also brings up a funny image of Thom Yorke as Jim Morrison. "Ripcord" has an average silent than loud rock sound. "Vegetable" has a beautiful guitar chord going through while Thom Yorke silently sings. "Prove Yourself" has a great message and really spoke to me when I first heard it. "I Can't" is much like the other songs on the album. "Lurgee" and "Blow Out" put a nice touch to the ending of the album. My only thing I have to say is..what the heck is an edited version of Creep doing at the end as a hidden track? Oh well I hate to sound cheesy but this is an album that has helped me through the hard times and it is as grand and sincere as "The Bends" and "OK Computer."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
Before Radiohead were interesting..., June 9, 2004
...they sounded like every other guitar rock band on the planet, and if there's anything Radiohead usually aren't, it's generic.Alas, Radiohead's debut has not aged well at all in any way. Momentary flashes of the group's later brilliance pop up occasionally (most notably in the horrendously-overplayed (yet still high quality) "Creep" and the wonderful "Anyone Can Play Guitar"), but for the most part, it's a group trying to find its voice and failing miserably, as most of this album will be forgotten as soon as you're done listening to it. Some would say that this album was ahead of its time when it came out. No it wasn't. Radiohead sounded like every other post-grunge outfit on the radio at that time. It can't really be "ahead of its time" if its sound can be classified by the time period it was released in. Some would also say that you shouldn't come down so harshly on this album for being such an early release by the band, and this may be true. However, just going by the differences between Pablo Honey and The Bends (their second album), the jump in quality between the two is staggering. Even the difference in quality between Pablo Honey and the My Iron Lung EP (released the year after Pablo Honey) is pretty noticeable. Overall, what we're left with are the very sketchy beginnings of one of the greatest bands in rock and roll. Some of you Radiohead fans might be tempted to buy it just to make your collection complete. Don't. You'll probably only listen to this album once and put it away on a shelf somewhere. Your money would be much better spent elsewhere. Also, those of you thinking about buying Pablo Honey as an intro to the group should think again. The Bends makes a much better introduction to the group's sound.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
They won't be a nothin', anymore, March 13, 2003
Where it all began, the Oxford boys' debut album shows surprising maturity for a first attempt, although it does pale in comparison to what followed. I'm always interested to see how bands develop style and maturity, so of vourse this album appealed to be from the outset. BUT! The songs are very well developed. In fact, if Radiohead had been content to remain stuck in this groove, they could STILL have gone on delighting millions. EVERYBODY knows 'Creep' of course, but some of the other songs have even more bite, such as "Stop Whispering" and "Blow Out". I was forunate to see Radiohead just after "The Bends" was released, and they included most of this album in the set - it completely blew my mind, and this was well before "Paranoid Android". Evident on this album, is Radiohead's collective youth - here we have a bunch of guys just out of college with lots of energy, and guitars to make noise with. Not that this album is merely a bunch of noise, it's carefully arranged and expertly plotted noise (on SOME songs) with more scaled-down acoustic songs interspering. Like all Radiohead albums, this is a CD I can only listen to in entirety - I hate leaving bits out, because it's all part of a bigger picture. If you only liked "The Bends", then you'll DEFINITELY like this one. If you only liked "OK Computer", you'll PROBABLY like this one, and if you only liked "Kid A" you might want to give this a quick listen before parting with your cash! If you like more than one Radiohead album, GET THIS NOW!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
The most sincere Radiohead album, February 16, 2006
The real strength behind Radiohead's debut, "Pablo honey", is the sincerity it sweats: Thom Yorke was in a real low-self esteem crisis when he wrote the lyrics for the songs. So, apart from the debuts from the Ramones and the Sex Pistols or albums such as Scott Walker's "Scott 4", Suede's "A new morning" or Wilco's "Summerteeth", you will never listen to anything as sincere and honest as Pablo Honey.
All the twelve tracks are filled with that late-teenage angst, kind of "I've graduated, now what?" feeling. So Thom is singing "why should I believe myself?" ("You"), "I'm playing with myself, and what do you care when the other men are far, far better" ("Thinking about you"), "I work, I bleed, I beg, I pray, but I'm better off dead" ("Prove yourself"). All penned with grunge distortion, not-so-well-recorded drums, and lots of guitar tension.
The best moments, though, are the tracks 8 and 11, "Vegetable" and "Lurgee". The first features the best Thom Yorke vocals so far, p*ssed off with the ones that don't believed the band. You listen to the song and see a vendetta desire in his eyes: "I worked hard, died hard (...) I spit on the hand that feeds me, I will not control myself".
And oh, "Lurgee". Have you ever been in a situation when you are with your lover and don't know what to do, and all you see is mess and confusion and breakdowns? Or have you ever been in a situation when your lover has gone and you feel a sigh of relief? So have been Thom, and he explains with a few, simple words: "I feel better now you're gone, I got better, I got strong".
Since then, Radiohead grew up and made better albums, such as "OK Computer" and "Kid A". But no one is as sincere, honest and true as "Pablo honey". As I consider sincerity the most remarkable, important feeling we can have, the album deserves five stars - you must have it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4 and 1/2 Stars, Really, July 28, 2001
Although it doesn't tread the same experimental grounds that Radiohead's subsequent albums do, Pablo Honey is a very good album in it's own right. Something of a traditional album in British Pop, but featuring a sound and style that, even then, separated them from the rest of the pack. The band's potent three-guitar army is alternately pleasantly quiet and embracingly noisy. The quaint acoustic revertebrations of Thinking About You are a nice contrast to the noisy burst of feedback that precedes the chorus in the classic Creep. The album is pure BritPop, and very good too, but also features long instrumental sections with punchy guitar solos and feedback-drenched atmospherics that the band hasn't returned to since. They weren't the greatest of songwriters at the time (some songs, such as Anyone Can Play Guitar display a lyrical naivety that would no doubt embarrass Yorke now), but the band's sound is impeccable, and when they hit, they really hit. Radiohead will probably never return to this sound again; and while more recent experimental masterpieces like OK Computer and Kid A are unquestionably better albums, it's often nice to go back to this debut and know that Thom Yorke really CAN sing when he's not busy looping himself or singing backwards, and that he in tandem with Ed O' Brien, and (especially), Johnny Greenwood really are good guitar players in the traditional sense. And that's not to discount Phil or Colin (who puts in some really good bass parts)'s contributions, either. A very nice album that you shouldn't overlook.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Not as bad as some say.., August 13, 2004
Okay, so "Pablo Honey" is an obvious anamoly in Radiohead's catalogue. It showcases a band that had yet to find an identity (it's amusing to see Thom Yorke in his early days, with his bleached blonde Cobain-like hair doo..knowing what his demeanor would become a few years later). But if you disregard all of that, and forget about the masterpieces in modern music they'd go on to make, it's pretty fun at times.
Take "You", the opening cut. Even at this point, the band was screwing around with bizarre time signatures, throwing a bar of 5/8 in after three bars of 6/8, which throws the tempo off. The intro is really good. Really really good. The rest of the song is pretty cool too; it's catchy, it rocks. No complaints.
We all know "Creep", I'm not even gonna elaborate on it. I will say that I've never been a big fan of the song, but it's still a "90's modern rock" staple.
Even "How Do You", a punky little rant about someone (can't recall who) is fun because it shows a side of the band we'd never really see again. Although the band still uses a lot of subtle humor in their music, this is a different kind of 'having fun'.
It slows down a little bit in the middle. "Stop Whispering" is quite plodding, IMO, and it goes on and on forever. "Thinking About You" is a boring accoustic song. "Ripcord" and "Vegetable" are also pretty forgettable, at least to me.
"Anyone Can Play Guitar" is a decent tune with a good hook. It has some goofy vocal mannerisms from Thom that we'd never see again. "Prove Yourself" goes from soft to haunting in verse to chorus, and is one of the better cuts on here. "I Can't" and "Lurgee" are both really good mid-tempo ballads. Finally, there's "Blow Out", the obvious standout on the album. It begins with an almost jazzy intro and first verse, then explodes into an epic of layered guitars and distortion, recalling My Bloody Valentine or Sonic Youth.
I've touched on every song, as it turns out, so make your own decision here. If you want to hear Radiohead before they became the most important band in the world and before they really developed a niche (but were still able to churn out some good music), throw your bias out the window for now and give "Pablo Honey" a try. It's certainly not an essential album along the lines of "OK Computer" or "Kid A", but it's pretty good for what it is.
Best Songs: Blow Out, Lurgee, You, I Can't.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
|
|
| |
|
|
|
