To have been listening to rock and alternative music in 1993 when Radiohead blasted into the charts with “Creep” would be something indescribable and wonderful. I, unfortunately, was not among the privileged ears. With the release of Pablo Honey the music industry would forever be changed by a band that would insistently challenge the industry, themselves, and the hearts and minds of their fans.
The 2009 2 CD/1 DVD edition is a special treat for the most hardcore, obsessed fans and for those who are only just beginning in the tutelage of Thom Yorke and Co.
Disc 1 is simply a re-issue of the original 1993 release. And like the majority of Radiohead fans, Pablo Honey is my least favorite in their ridiculously solid and creative back catalog. That is not to say that it is not a good album. As a standalone, when not compared to their later releases, it is quite enjoyable. The album is better than that, and I think it is always difficult to review an album fairly when in comparison to the works that made Radiohead who they are today, it will always pale in comparison.
Of course, the most popular single “Creep” is the band’s most hated. But is it the best track? Hardly. Standouts are the opening track “You,” “Stop Whispering,” “Thinking About You” and “Lurgee.”
But the 2009 edition isn’t about the re-issue of the album; it is about the second disc and the accompanying DVD, the real golden treats …the nuggets. The 22-track second disc contains demos, a remix, live versions and other b-sides from “Creep,” “Anyone Can Play Guitar,” “Pop is Dead” and “Stop Whispering” singles. There are also four tracks from the BBC Radio One Session recording in June of 1992.
The DVD contains the music videos for the four singles, a live performance of “Creep” from Top of the Pops in September of 1993, and 9 of the 17 song setlist from the May 27, 1994 Astoria Theater performance in London. For all you setlist junkies out there (and I am among you), the full set can be found here: Astoria Theater Setlist.
Other goodies in the box set contain the sleeve covers for the 4 singles and the Drill EP, and an 8-page booklet with band pictures circa 1993.
Pablo Honey (standalone album) – 3 out of 5 stars
Pablo Honey (2 CD/1 DVD) – 4 out of 5 stars
Disc 2 Tracklist:
(Taken from Drill EP)
1. Prove Yourself (Demo)
2. Stupid Car (Demo)
3. You (Demo)
4. Thinking About You (Demo)
(Taken from “Creep” single)
5. Inside My Head
6. Million Dollar Question
7. Yes I am
8. Blow Out (Remix)
9. Inside My Head (Live)
10. Creep (Acoustic)
11. Vegetable (Live)
12. Killer Cars (Live)
(Taken from “Anyone Can Play Guitar” single)
13. Faithless, the Wonderboy
14. Coke Babies
(Taken from “Pop Is Dead” single)
15. Pop is Dead
16. Banana Co. (Acoustic)
17. Ripcord (Live)
(Taken from “Stop Whispering” single)
18. Stop Whispering (U.S. version)
(BBC Radio One Session – 22/06/92)
19. Prove Yourself
20. Creep
21. I Can’t
22. Nothing Touches Me
DVD Tracklist
(Music Videos)
Creep
Anyone Can Play Guitar
Pop Is Dead
Stop Whispering
(Top of the Pops – 16/09/93)
Creep
(The Astoria, London – Live: 27/05/94)
You
Ripcord
Creep
Prove Yourself
Vegetable
Stop Whispering
Anyone Can Play Guitar
Pop Is Dead
Blowout
Editors Note: Popwreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of Pablo Honey to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album Pablo Honey and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.
Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10th.
