How Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien Became a Master of Guitar Textures and Soundscapes

Guitar gods come and go, but Ed O’Brien of Radiohead is still a bit of an underrated pioneer of modern guitar work. Jonny Greenwood might soak up most of the attention as the band’s other incredible guitarist, but there’s something to be said about O’Brien’s style that has remained so fascinating through the years. 

Videos by American Songwriter

In short, Ed O’Brien’s approach to the guitar is all about adding texture. One would think that would be the bare minimum for a rhythm guitarist, but far too many contemporary rock guitarists opt for a bit too much basic simplicity. O’Brien, on the other hand, crafts gorgeous soundscapes in just about every track he touches.

Ed O’Brien Inspired Countless Musicians To Pick Up the Guitar and Get Weird With It

Some might dismiss Ed O’Brien’s guitar work for the simple fact that he doesn’t draw a lot of attention. That’s downright unfair. He gloriously supports the songwriting efforts of Thom Yorke, and I don’t think there’s a single song that he’s worked on with Radiohead that doesn’t sound full, bold, and ethereal. And shockingly enough, he learned how to play the guitar in Radiohead. Now that’s inspiring.

So, how does he do it? It all comes down to the very nature of his style. He’s more interested in fleshing out a song as part of a broader vision rather than showboating his own skills. But in taking a more controlled approach, he really does show off his skills.

O’Brien is also heavily influenced by a number of genres, most notably post-punk. He cited Andy Summers (from The Police) as his first big influence in terms of guitar playing. He has also mentioned The Smiths, U2, Siouxsie And The Banshees, and R.E.M. as additional influences.

It’s worth noting that what he took from these influences was their ability to create space and atmosphere in their music. You won’t hear run-of-the-mill rock-and-roll guitar solos in an R.E.M. song. That’s what got O’Brien’s attention.

“They were great guitarists, but they weren’t lead guitarists,” he once said. “My favorite guitarists know when not to play. Then you make more of it when you do play. Make it count.”

If there’s one thing a young aspiring guitarist can take away from O’Brien’s legacy, it’s that less can be more. But what you do create needs to be really intentional.

Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.