Search - Radiohead: The Astoria London Live on DVD

5 star reviews may represent starved Radiohead fans

William C. Smith | Bettendorf, IA United States | 02/03/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I love Radiohead. Repeat, I love Radiohead. They put out the best 4 albums in a row since the beatles in the 60's. That being said...

This is the worst produced DVD I have ever seen.(!) It features perhaps 8 cameras with random selection of camera choice at almost exactly 4 second intervals. It is almost impossible to become interested in any part of the proceedings because you don't have the opportunity to watch any one of the fellas do ANYTHING for more than 4 seconds at a time. I can't believe anyone allowed this to happen. Who thought this was a good idea? He (or she) should be forced to watch this abomination. It's like staring into a strobe lite for an hour.

The only saving grace is that it is "filmed" at a time when the Band was beginning to ferment. Play it, but don't you dare watch or your likely to wind up in convulsions on the floor.

Come on boys, enough is enough. Give us a good, modern DVD, in at least dolby 5.1. I wouldn't care if you just used one camera. Please. Pretty please.

By the way. Would everyone please drop any references to the band called Coldpl_y (sorry, my fingers won't allow me to type the complete name)? How did Radiohead ever get linked with this completely unoriginal and mediocre band?"

VERY GOOD

Levi Stofer | Lawrenceville, GA USA | 12/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The year was 1994. Radiohead was soon to release their brilliant sophomore album "The Bends" coming off of a large tour promoting their debut smash "Pablo Honey." This concert mixes material from both. While I am definitely more of a fan of The Bends than Pablo Honey, it is always a delight to see "Creep," their infamous hit single. Several other tracks from the first album stood out as well (most notably "You" and the grand finale of "Blowout" which is worth the price of admisson by itself.) Other highlights included "The Bends", "My Iron Lung", "Just", and a truly hypnotic "Street Spirit." Any fan of Radiohead would be insane not to own this (if not just to see Thom with his hair died blonde and Phil WITH HAIR.)

Overall, the songs range from good to mind-blowing which leaves the show with a rating of VERY GOOD. Jonny Greenwood is spectacular with the rest of the group feeding off of his wild energy. And as always, Thom Yorke is so entertaining to watch. This is what rock and roll is all about."

This will blow you away...

J. Abbas | 11/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have had a VHS copy of this show for years, and it's about the most kick-ass guitar-driven rock concert you could ever ask for... This covers most of Pablo Honey and some "new songs," as they play many songs from The Bends a year before it was released... Pretty standard set list from back then: You, Bones, Ripcord, Black Star, Creep, The Bends, My Iron Lung, Prove Yourself, Maquiladora, Vegetable, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, Stop Whispering, Anyone Can Play Guitar, Street Spirit, Pop Is Dead, Blow Out... High points are the spectacular opening "You," a rare live performance of "Black Star", and the sheer artillery of their amazing B-side "Maquiladora." The only downside to this DVD: After hearing this, you'll kick yourself for not having heard of Radiohead until 1999."

Why wasn't Pablo Honey recorded this way????

PlanR | 04/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Performed in 1994, several months before the release of The Bends, this concert is a time capsule of a time when the band was just beginning to realize their full potential.Smoke'em if you got'em and be prepared to be amazed. From the very first song, more precisely from the very first riff of the very first song, the band seems to be proclaiming itself as "The Next Great Band" ready to join rock royalty. The intensity of the set is nothing short of astounding. Jonny is in top form, monumental riffs abound. Ed, a fantastic guitarist in his own right, adds just the right touches when called upon and blows the roof off the place, from time to time. Colin and Phil hypnotically keeping rythym, only hinting at what we would hear from them on subsequent records and Thom, well he is just being Thom. I've been a fan since Pablo Honey, with OK Computer and KID A being my favorite albums. I"ve seen them live twice, in 2001 and 2003, phenomenal shows but i also wish i would have been at this show. Live at Astoria will give you a greater appreciation of their earlier work. In a word; Mind-Blowing (or is that two words?)"