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 #"I Can't" - 4:10 #"Nothing Touches Me" - 3:46 #"Thinking About You" - 2:12 #"Phillipa Chicken" - 3:44 #"You" - 3:19
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