Radiohead - Pablo Honey (1993)

Devoid of Ok Computer's intricacy, lacking the killer hooks that so propelled 'The Bends', Pablo Honey still resembles a veritable treasure throve of lost gems. Packed in sardine-like the tunes straightforward approach create a dizzy aural feast. It was Radiohead’s first long player and it introduced a band with the craft to write perfect pop songs. Forget the fact that there were more cerebral Radiohead packages on the way; just feel the noise. The album wakes up with a cranky 'You'. It's more than a little spirited with Thom Yorke's vitriol contrasting with the ever so twinkly guitars shards. There are fractured glimpses of something more complicated on 'Anyone Can Play Guitar' that directly spits in the face of most of the other simpler, more accessible tracks on the album. Yorke's vocals are at times a little ropy (is that John Lydon on How Do You?). He was still in the process of honing one of the most distinctive voices in modern rock but his grip on what it took to create sublime guitar/vocal nuances is touching. If ‘Stop Whispering’ does not blow you away you need to return to the Blade Runner set. Hushed vocals, struggling to stay afloat on sea of shimmering guitars, somehow rising phoenix-like to a point where you can almost hear the tears cascading down the singers face.

The next track 'Thinking About You' just bleets sadness, the acoustic interfacing with that natural human spirit riding in on Yorke's heart breaking words. The melody is open, inviting and devoid of the intricacies that would later propel the band. Play this song to a young child, as a Montessori building block to the later challenges that lie ahead in the discovery of this most important bands music. 'Creep' could have easily become a heavy shackle around Radiohead's ambition because of the ferocity with which it shoved them into the glare of U.S. interest. It is special of course, but Radiohead's ability saw them break free from an audience baying for its loser charm. Radiohead had it in their power to offer greater canvasses of sound.

Radiohead's direct approach doesn't always find its target with the result that one of two cringeworthy moments pop in from time to time. 'Ripchord' and 'How Do You' are complete fodder that take a simple half idea and turn it into something with much less cop. 'Pablo Honey's true heart lies in the triumvirate of tracks that make up the latter stages of the album. 'Prove Yourself' is several layers of simple riffs, rolled over by an angst ridden Thom Yorke whose lyrics resemble a contemporary's over Seattle way. Thankfully Yorke's words were an effective valve as opposed to a declaration of intention. 'I Can't' has astonishing intensity, like a beleaguered man searching for some worth, it somehow raises its own stakes to succeed against the odds. Of course, the searing, jangling guitars add able support but the vocals are at the same time underachieving and powerful. 'Lurgee' has that alarming quality coming forth at will. Decidedly more lo-fi but no less affecting, the 3 minutes it fills are among the most beautiful you'll ever hear. 'Pablo Honey' is a frighteningly good album with strong songs popping out at its strained seams. It works as a superb antidote to the bands more electronic noodlings that require a lot more patience and an almost forensic approach to discovering what was intended. This is Radiohead telling you how it is, master storytellers with the best soundtrack colouring in the already vivid scenes.

Rating: 8/10

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