10 Bands That Only Ever Released One Good Album

10. Amok - Atoms For Peace (2013)

Atoms For Peace might be a supergroup in name, but in reality, they're only one famous bass player away from being a Thom Yorke solo project. In 2009 Yorke pulled in long time Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrish and a handful of sessions musicians to help him tour his solo work. But, in 2013 the group released a debut record. It was an album of melancholic and ambient robot music, infused with a decent helping of soothing bass guitar from non other then Flea... , and oh my was it good.

This is stellar record, but it does feel like a project for Yorke to explore ambient texture, in ever more indulgent ways, rather than a group effort. Then again, it's hard for anything not to sound like Radiohead when Thom Yorke is involved.

But this certainly wouldn't be the same album if they had recruited a different bass player. Flea's approach to eliciting sounds from his instrument has changed drastically over the years. In the early days he would tear holes in his thumb due to the aggressive nature he played with. Eventually the hardcore approach gave way for the pocket groove of funk, and since the 2000s he's focused on creating subtle but engrossing melodies. With all the electronic sounds and strange ambience on this album, his bass imbues a warmth into the tracks, contrasting the haunting whale-song vocals of Yorke.