Anyone Can Play Guitar

Nick and Austin aren't exactly back to save the universe, but they have returned for season 2, where they'll explore Radiohead's 1997 classic, OK Computer. For the first episode, the two spend the entire time discussing one song, the album's first single, "Paranoid Android." They wonder how such a weird music video got played so much on MTV, and ponder if some commentators take the lyrics far too seriously. Austin breaks down one of his favorite guitar solos, while Nick makes his way through The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. They also welcome their first special guest, Eric Evans, to discuss Colin's wild bass part. 

Song Discussed: 

"Paranoid Android"

With The Bends out of the way, the two wade through the remaining B-sides, a trove of recordings that find the band alternating between some of its most experimental and straightforward songs to date. Austin breaks down a couple of Johnny's guitar solos, while Nick frets about Yorke's latest anti-car track. The two also discuss the history of cursing in Radiohead's catalog. The episode ends with The Bends Awards, where they pick their favorite songs of the period. 

Songs Discussed: 

1:42 - "How Can You Be Sure"

7:23 - "Killer Cars" 

10:53 - "Maquiladora" 

17:43 - "Talk Show Host" 

25:05 - "Molasses" 

28:00 - "India Rubber" 

30:47 - "Banana Co"

35:20 - "Bishop's Robes"  

37:58 - The Bends Awards 

The "I Can't" Award: Most Improved Song

Austin: "My Iron Lung" 

Nick: "(Nice Dream)" 

The "Creep" Award: The Begrudgingly Best Song

Nick: "Fake Plastic Trees"

Austin: "Fake Plastic Trees" 

The "Blow Out" Award: Our Personal Favorite Song 

Austin: "Black Star" 

Nick: "Planet Telex" 

The "Million Dollar Question" Award: Best B-Side 

Nick: "Talk Show Host" 

Austin: "Trickster"

The back half of The Bends starts off with one of Radiohead's most popular songs, though Austin ponders whether "Just" might actually be the dividing line between casual and hardcore Radiohead fans. Nick remembers when his high school teacher threw the lyrics to "Black Star" in the trash. And the two admit that their guitar skills aren't as strong as they were in college while trying to tackle "Street Spirit (Fade Out)."  

Songs Discussed: 

2:15 - "Just" 

15:12 - "My Iron Lung" 

16:45 - "Bullet Proof … I Wish I Was" 

23:15 - "Black Star" 

30:18 - "Sulk" 

34:58 - "Street Spirit (Fade Out)"

After a shockingly good EP, Radiohead is back with its first universally acclaimed album, The Bends. Nick barely keeps it together when praising "Planet Telex," while Austin admits to putting off learning "Bones" until the last minute. The two express some difficulties with the title track, which may ruin their memories of playing the song often in public during college. But first, Nick challenges Austin to a brief game of spot the alternative rock riff. 

Songs Discussed: 

4:25 - "Planet Telex" 

12:20 - "The Bends" 

18:50 - "High and Dry"

26:15 - "Fake Plastic Trees" 

34:15 - "Bones" 

38:55 - "(Nice Dream)

This seven song EP came out one year after Pablo Honey, but almost sounds like a completely different band. Nick and Austin gush over the various guitar lines on the title track, before finding comfort in Yorke's new terrifying lyrical style. Austin admits to playing one song constantly for over twenty years, while Nick manages to come up with at least one negative thing to say. 

Songs Discussed: 

2:22 - "My Iron Lung" 

14:08 - "Trickster" 

21:00 - "Lewis (Mistreated)"

25:55 - "Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong" 

30:01 - "Permanent Daylight" 

34:22 - "Lozenge of Love" 

39:20 - "You Never Wash Up After Yourself" 

This week the two wrap up Pablo Honey by exploring the album's less discussed back half. Austin ponders why his high school band's cover of "I Can't" didn't win the talent show, while Nick contemplates how many times Radiohead can end a song by turning the guitars all the way up. Plus, the two hold a lightning round discussion for the album's mostly unloved b-sides, only to find out one of them has a secret favorite.  

Songs Discussed: 

1:46 - "Vegetable" 

8:20 - "Prove Yourself" 

9:15 - "I Can't" 

17:14 - "Lurgee" 

22:07 - "Blow Out" 

31:15 - "Coke Babies" 

33:40 - "Inside My Head" 

34:40 - "Million Dollar Question"

37:10 - "Yes I Am" 

38:02 - "Faithless the Wonder Boy"

Is Radiohead's 1993 debut album an underappreciated gem or a blemish on an otherwise spotless discography? The two make their way through the first half, where they drop some surprisingly strong opinions about the band's most popular song, which may lead to an unprecedented amount of hate mail. Along the way, Austin ponders whether "The Air I Breathe" has creepier lyrics than "Creep." Nick becomes despondent while describing his least favorite track.     

Songs Discussed: 

5:35 - "You" 

6:05 - "Creep" 

22:33 - "How Do You" 

25:47 - "Stop Whispering" 

31:40 - "Thinking About You" 

33:30 - "Anyone Can Play Guitar" 

40:22 - "Ripcord"

Ready to learn every Radiohead song on guitar? Nick and Austin set up the rules, and then dig into the band's first official release, the Drill EP. Released in 1992, the four songs cover a range of different styles, though it quickly becomes clear that some work better than others. Austin has harsh words for two of the tracks, while Nick admits to playing the most profane one at a church function when he was a teenager.   

Songs Discussed: 

6:18 - "Prove Yourself"

15:35 - "Stupid Car" 

21:13 - "You" 

32:30 - "Thinking About You"