The band on every critic's top-10 list, Radiohead, strolled into Chicago Friday night for a fabulous sold out show. With tickets in the parking lot going as high as $150, this was a very anticipated show in Chicago. After catching America's ear with the radio hit "Creep" in 1993, Radiohead put out two of the best records I own with 1995's "The Bends" and 1997's "OK Computer" (all on Capitol). Knitting together some of the finest musicianship with the cynical snarl of lead singer Thom Yorke, this Oxford, England band has, albeit a mystery to them, found themselves on the top here in America.

The crowd settled in to a mesmerized state with "Airbag" from "OK Computer". The computer driven buzz and the agitated leads of this song came searing through the crowd. Yorke made us all believe it when he crooned "...an interstellar burst, I'm back to save the universe..". Not saving anything for later, the band snuck right into "Karma Police", this year's most unlikely popular single. At this point I already got the feeling that I was viewing history in the making as the crowd almost got teary from their happiness. With his cocky pose, Yorke energetically skipped right through "The Bends" as guitarist Ed O'Brien scratched through the hard-hitting stop-on-a-dime riffs of this killer song.

Despite the noise from an unruly fan, the band managed to set the eerie churchlike mood for "Exit Music (For a Film)". There was a chill running down my spine as Yorke sang "...sing us a song, a song to keep us warm, there's such a chill, such a chill...". The acoustics of the sterile Rosemont Theater were unbelievable as the band crept through this beautiful song complete with their churchlike organs. A 60's swirl at the beginning of "Subterranean Homesick Alien" was met with great applause as each audience member seemed to be here to see their magical heroes. Bassist Colin Greenwood funked up this lilting number. The effect laden "Lucky" was kept clean and crisp with the jazz like snareshots of drummer Phil Selway. Ed O'Brien's wah wah gave the song a broad and echoed background. The jangly Beatles-like bent notes signaled the beginning of the exquisite "My Iron Lung" which was one of many highlights on this stellar night. The words "...we're too young to sleep, too cynical to speak..." seemed autobiographical as the band clung together like they were all alone and a long way from home but still enjoying every minute of it. "Planet Telex" prompted a great response from the Chicago folk as Yorke pushed his vocal cords to the maximum on an adrenalized version of this song from "The Bends". The intimate environment of the theater kept the lovely "No Surprises" chirpy and innocent with it's Sesame Street plunky notes. Surely this song could never be better in a hockey arena.

While choosing to ignore yells of "Creep", the band almost chose to ignore the whole "Pablo Honey" album. They did, however, play the nostalgic "Lurgee" from "Pablo Honey". The relatively unknown "Talk Show Host" led right into a groovy version of "Bones" as O'Brien and bassist Greenwood kept the searing and chaotic backbeat throbbing. "Paranoid Android" met with possibly the loudest applause of the evening, as Yorke swayed in time to the eerie percussive effects punching the background of this early single from "OK Computer". Guitarist Ed O'Brien and drummer Phil Selway stared each other down as they kept up with the intricate bass and guitar syncopation on this awesome song. The band closed out with "Pearly" and "The Tourist". As Yorke, accidentally unplugged his guitar, a roadie brought him another thinking the guitar was the problem. Problems behind them, the band lumbered through the waning moments of the show with the country and western stylings of "The Tourist". The end was slow and sad, but the show was fast and incredible.

I have to admit that I was hoping to hear "High and Dry" from "The Bends", but with a set of 20 songs, it was hard to have missed much from their three albums. Radiohead, in a quiet and unassuming way, came to Chicago and smashed the standards by which we judge pop music. They sneak up on you like a car wreck, and before you know it, you and everyone around you is caught up in it. This band towers over anything out right now, catch them live if it is at all possible before an "interstellar burst" snatches them away from us, the undeserving listening public.

-Jeff Keele

Concert Direct
04.98