Manic Hedgehog is the title of
English alternative rock group
Radiohead's fourth and final
demo tape, released in October 1991 on
audio cassette. It was named after an
Oxford record shop.
Background and recording
"I Can't" differs from the later version on the album
Pablo Honey. Although it was played throughout 1991 and 1992, it was the first song from that album to be dropped from Radiohead's live set.
"Nothing Touches Me" was a live favourite at the time, dealing with the subject matter of a prisoner who is also a talented painter. It is in the style of the
alternative rock dominant in 1991, and played a major role in helping Radiohead get a record deal; however, it never appeared on any album.
"Thinking About You" also differs from the later version on
Pablo Honey. Here it is a
Britpop-style thrash, with
Thom Yorke's vocals muted due to sound equipment problems. The song was later released on the
Drill and
Itch EPs.
"Phillipa Chicken" was a favourite of
EMI, Radiohead's later record company, until the band decided to drop it. It is notable for its
stream of consciousness lyrics, and its bassline has been compared to that of
The Beatles' "
Ticket to Ride".
"You" is a rock song with many time changes. It was later re-recorded several times and also found released later on
Pablo Honey.
Release
It was distributed around
Oxford for £3 when the band was still known as "On a Friday", and received favourable reviews from a local music magazine,
Curfew.
Cover art
The tape features cover art by frontman Thom Yorke of an ink-penned alien with a distorted and stretched head, and the phrase "Work Sucks".
Track listing
- "Nothing Touches Me" - 3:46
- "Thinking About You" - 2:12
- "Phillipa Chicken" - 3:44
