Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band that formed in Oxfordshire in 1986. The band's lineup, which has remained the same since its inception, consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway.

Radiohead released their first single, "Creep", in 1992, followed by their debut album Pablo Honey (1993). Although initially unsuccessful, the song became a worldwide hit when it was re-issued a year later. The band's popularity in the United Kingdom increased with their second album, The Bends (1995). With dense guitar atmospheres and Yorke's expressive falsetto singing, the album was warmly received by music critics. Radiohead's third album propelled them to even greater attention. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation, OK Computer (1997) was acclaimed worldwide, and has often been named a landmark record of the 1990s.

The band's next recordings, Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001), saw Radiohead reach their peak of global popularity even as their music divided fans and critics. The period marked a change in the band's style, with influences including experimental electronic music as well as Krautrock, jazz and modern classical music. Radiohead's shift away from standard rock songwriting also resulted in greater flexibility, with each member playing a wider range of instruments in the studio and at live concerts. The band's sixth album, Hail to the Thief (2003), mixed guitar-driven rock, electronic influences and topical lyrics, and was seen to blend styles from throughout the band's career. Radiohead are currently without a record label, and have recently completed their seventh studio album, titled In Rainbows. In late September 2007, a website appeared which allowed fans to preorder a digital download of the album or a "discbox" which includes the In Rainbows CD, a bonus CD from the recording sessions, a vinyl copy of In Rainbows with bonus tracks, and a hardcover book. While the discbox release costs £40, preordering the digital release allows fans to decide how much they want to pay for the album.