Pablo Honey
E**N
Love the CD
Great CD. Worth the wait.
P**?
An excellent reissue package for an underappreciated album.
The first disc in this package is simply a re-issue of the original Pablo Honey album, an album which features unique moments in the Radiohead catalogue and also establishes elements of their sound that would be further developed on The Bends and OK Computer. But the album is often simply dismissed by critics as something derivative of other acts and/or lacking in quality next to later Radiohead albums. (It's a viewpoint also often directed towards Blur and their debut Leisure, also a great record.) I think so much of that posturing is just a result of not giving the record a chance on its own terms. Songs like "You," "Blow Out" and "Creep" retain their immediate power to this day, and the album as a whole really does not suffer from a feeling of datedness (like much of the other alt-rock of the 1993-4 era.)The bonus features in this package really help to further establish Pablo Honey as a worthy starting point in the Radiohead discography by putting the 12 album tracks in a broader context of the band's work at the time. The second disc features the long out of print debut EP "Drill" and it's four demo tracks. The version of "You" and "Prove Yourself" were already fine at that point, while the jangly power-pop version of "Thinking About You" is revelatory for those yet to have heard it, and it makes one wonder how much potential Radiohead could have had to explore quite different musical avenues. The rest of the second disc gives all of the b-sides and released live tracks from the era, including the "Pop Is Dead" ep (another wrongly maligned release.)Finally, a DVD features the four videos from the period (The staged live show of "Creep," the humorous rock star posturing of "Anyone Can Play Guitar," the fun and enegetic "Pop is Dead," and an REM-esque video for a faintly U2-esque song "Stop Whispering.") In addition to the videos, all of the tracks from the 1994 Astoria concert dvd from the Pablo Honey era are here (unfortunately the concert is broken up, so the other tracks appear on the reissue for The Bends) and there is also a cut performance of Creep from Top of the Pops, which is silly, as TOTP always is.The videos and the Astoria tracks really cement how much Radiohead stood out against the hundreds of alt-rock bands of the time. Thom certainly had his own voice at the time, even if it wasn't the exact voice he would keep over the next 7 albums. The power of the live performances really brings out the full energy of all the tracks, and all of the songs played prove to stand as excellent live material.Also included in the package are cards for each of the EP covers with replicated coverart. There is also a reproduction of the original album booklet. All 3 discs come in cardboard slip-cases.An excellent package that presents Pablo Honey-era Radiohead in a proper light, as an excellent and emerging band with a great live show and some real range to their musicianship and lyricism. So, enjoy it again for itself and if you are a more recent fan who never got into it the first time, now is a great time to get over the negativity you've probably heard lobbed toward this record and give it a go on its own terms.
C**R
Why do people hate this album?
I admit Radiohead have changed their style over the years, but how can you not like this album? Pablo Honey is awesome and more energetic than other albums. Pablo Honey includes more guitar riffs and fast-paced songs. I welcome the variety, and no; I'm not just saying that because it's Radiohead.If I had never heard Pablo Honey and had based my opinions off of reviews, I would have avoided this album. But I am glad I bought it. Don't be so quick to dismiss the earlier years of Radiohead.
M**X
Worth getting, but not a must have
This is a review specifically for the collector's edition of Pablo Honey. The album speaks for itself really, not as good as Radiohead's later work, but a solid starting effort that is worth a place in a fan's collection. The collector's edition, on the other hand, is not as necessary. The second disc is mostly demos and live versions of songs on the first disc, though there are a few otherwise unreleased songs worth listening to. "Inside My Head," "Pop is Dead" and "Faithless the Wonderboy" come to mind for this. I'd say listen to the samples of the bonus songs first, or buy it used like I did. There's also an acoustic version of Creep and what I'm pretty sure is the radio version seeing as the only difference is that it censors out the occasional f bomb in the song. So if you can't get enough Creep and want to hear it acoustic (it sounds a bit weird, honestly, but I like it) then this could be for you. All in all not a bad purchase, I just wouldn't pay too much for it.
R**T
a magnificent debut
Pablo Honey marked the era of alternative rock of different style departing from the earlier predominant pop rock, metal, and punk genres. Pablo Honey includes the hit single Creep which is a completely experimental and stylistic change in both lyrics and roughness of the songs. This can be best defined by Jonny's aggressive guitar playing style and Thom's romantic voice.
H**O
Another 90's goodie
I almost forgot how good this was until I ordered it here from Amazon.com After that I have saved this one because of it's authenticity during this music period and the fact that it will influence kids from the time in which it was recorded through the process of manufacturing then to distribution at various vendors.
U**E
all you ok computer freaks can suck it! this is their best album where they ...
all you ok computer freaks can suck it! this is their best album where they actually played different styles before they fell in the ok computer hole. they used to write songs not "compositions". this has more balls than the rest of their works combined!!
M**N
Radiohead
Excellent cd
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