Radiohead – OK Computer (Capitol - 1997)
Track Listing (53:21):
1. Airbag (4:44)
2. Paranoid Android (6:23)
3. Subterranean Homesick Alien (4:27)
4. Exit Music (For a Film) (4:24)
5. Let Down (4:59)
6. Karma Police (4:21)
7. Fitter Happier (1:57)
8. Electionnering (3:50)
9. Climbing up the Walls (4:45)
10. No Suprises (3:48)
11. Lucky (4:19)
12. The Tourist (5:24)
Styles: Alternative Pop/Rock, Britpop.
Moods: melancholy, earnest, eerie, nocturnal, theatrical, poignant, gloomy, paranoia, reflective, somber.
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There's a lot of dispute as to whereas
OK Computer should be classified as progressive rock or not, but I won't go into the dispute here because quite frankly – who cares?
With
OK Computer, Radiohead have established themselves as one of the greatest rock bands of the modern era. How? Using the textured soundscapes from their previous album
The Bends as a precursor, Radiohead have elevated their previous excellent effort with an almost masterful effort combining atonal, dissonant and memorable melodies, with a touch of subtle complexity. Radiohead have come a long way since their debut with Pablo Honey; the anthemic guitar and almost cringe-inducing choruses from that album are nowhere to be heard here.
Moreover,
OK Computer signifies that Radiohead have leaned more towards progressive rock by stripping away many of the obvious elements of the relatively simple alternative rock, creating music that is subtle, textured and that which challenges the listener. But in saying that,
OK Computer also contains the hit mainstream single “Karma Police.” In fact, "Karma Police" – despite containing catchy melodies - is actually more complex than one first might have apprehended; the structure is somewhat ominous - it doesn't seem to have a traditional chorus.
Moving on to the real highlight of the album; the complex, multi-segmented "Paranoid Android" is quite simply a masterpiece no matter how you look at it. The track is almost a prefect example of sheer beauty mixed with subtle complexities that take nothing away from the music. A good example of this is the way they introduce 7/4 time signatures almost furtively, and adding in brass amongst other layering. It also contains one of the most perfect changes in all of rock (at around the 3:30 mark) that sums up what Radiohead are all about in an instant; they're about beautiful melodies and harmonies that are elegantly constructed which hooks the listener in and doesn't let up.
Other highlights are the ambient “Exit Music (for a Film) with an uplifting epic finale (a great example of impeccable changes of dynamics and mood), the shimmering “Let Down,” and the brilliant “Lucky.”
Although some compare
OK Computer with works like Pink Floyd’s psychedelic album
Dark Side of the Moon, there are, of course, many dissimilarities, with the main one being that Radiohead's concepts are more captivating.
Two main recurrent themes present are neurasthenia and luddism. The album satirises technology and man's embrace of it in the information age. The lyrics speak volumes about the excesses of modern technology and how our inventions tend to threaten our essential humanity. This is why Radiohead’s work strikes a chord. The band taps into something distinctly unique to the post-modern condition. More importantly, they are trying to eek meaning out of what it is to live in the computer age, with all its chaos and requirements of the human psyche.
All in all,
OK Computer is a thoroughly astonishing demonstration of musical brilliance and becomes even more impressive with repeated listens, revealing stratagems such as electronica rhythms, eerie keyboards, odd time signatures, and complex syncopations.
What makes
OK Computer different from other similar-sounding albums that employ the same techniques in general is it contains lyrical as well as musical masterpieces displaying songwriting at near its best throughout. It also contains an intermission track “Fitter Happier,” which employs the famous Stephen Hawking computer voice and really makes Radiohead's intentions clear if all else fails.
As for the musicians: Thom Yorke's voice is amazing as it effortlessly shifts from a sweet falsetto to darker tones; and the Greenwood brothers are geniuses, enough said.
OK Computer is the album that establishes Radiohead as one of the most inventive and inspiring guitar rock bands of the modern era and has fittingly received a Grammy award as well as succumbing to a huge amount of appreciation both critically and commercially.
Rating: 9.5/10
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Highlights (click to download):
Paranoid Android
Exit Music (For a Film)
Lucky