Its been a while since I've done one of these but I think that with the announcement that Radiohead will be releasing their 8th studio album "King Of Limbs" this Saturday there is no better time. The sheer epicness of their past work cannot be overstated enough and because of it, this Essential 5 post will not be like the others.
Very few times I listen to an album from beginning to end in one sitting. Much less enjoy every second of it. Radiohead is the exception. Some of their work (Pablo Honey, The Bends, In Rainbows) fit a more traditional/linear cohesiveness that is greatly appreciated by the masses. Others such as Kid A, Amnesiac and Ok Computer border on lunacy with structures and references that will challenge even the their most die hard fans. Genius pretty much sums up all of them. This is why I cannot simply pick their 5 most essential songs so I will pick their 5 most essential songs out of each of their studio albums. Again, most of their hit singles, like Karma Police, High and Dry , Fake Plastic Trees, etc will be excluded from the list since since they are already known by everyone with an ounce of good taste.
Their albums show the natural progression into maturity bands tend to take, but I challenge anyone to show me a better example of its uniqueness.
Massive post ahead. Enjoy.
