Welcome back to a new appointment with Musical Disclosure. Today we talk about one of the most successful British rock bands, emblematic in music of the transition from the nineties to the 2000s: Radiohead.

 

The band's story begins in 1985, when singer Thom Yorke and bassist Colin Greenwood, schoolmates in Oxford, decide to form a band together with Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway (guitarist and drummer): On A Friday is born, referring to the day of the week the group meets for rehearsals. Shortly after, Jonny Greenwood, Colin's younger brother and future lead guitarist of the group, joins as a keyboardist. After various concerts, the group attracts the attention of some record labels, including EMI, with which a contract is signed for the release of six albums. Among the label's requests is also to change the name: On A Friday becomes Radiohead, inspired by the song "Radio Head" by Talking Heads. The band's first single is the famous "Creep," which achieves worldwide success following the release of the debut album "Pablo Honey" (1993). The song, with its decadent atmosphere, conveys a sense of discomfort and inadequacy that has elevated it to a true generational anthem. However, it is only with the subsequent album "The Bends" (1995) that Radiohead manages to win the hearts of the British, being labeled at home as the "new U2." Following the end of the recordings for "Pablo Honey" and during the related tour, Thom Yorke already begins working on the new project, initially titled "The Benz," which immediately excites then co-producer Kolderie. Produced by John Leckie, with contributions from Nigel Godrich and Jim Warren, "The Bends" can be considered an alternative rock album. It combines tracks driven by acoustic guitars like "High And Dry" and "Fake Plastic Trees," with poignant ballads like "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," moving through the psychedelia of "Planet Telex" and the grunge of "The Bends." Yorke's extremely personal lyrics address various themes, from consumerism to loss of identity, from illness to social rejection. The album cover is the first created in collaboration with Stanley Donwood and shows a resuscitation mannequin, with an expression that, as described by the artist, seems to be halfway between ecstasy and agony simultaneously. Six singles are drawn from the album, thanks to which the band reaches fourth place in the UK chart, without, however, managing to replicate the success of "Creep" internationally. In addition to largely positive reviews from critics, certainly more so than "Pablo Honey," "The Bends" is nominated for Best British Album at the 1996 Brit Awards, elevating Radiohead from meteors in the music world to an acclaimed band.

We invite you today to immerse yourself in the sweetly melancholic atmosphere of "High and Dry," the second single released in 1995.