Radiohead - OK Computer

streetwaves · 06-13-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninetales

This review looks like it has scaruffi fingerprints all over it (not necessarily a bad thing), although i do disagree with your assessment of what constitutes a "true work of art". Albums that are "challenging" will differ completely from listener to listener in that some won't find Can or Pere Ubu's sound challening at all. Saying something is challenging without context could easily just mean an album you didnt like right after the first listen, which could apply to Ok Computer and you.

In other words I doubt that bands like Neu! or Faust would be challenging for you in the sense that they would "turn you off at first" anymore. It doesnt mean you like them any less or that they are any less great.

In regards to OK Computer itself I dont think its amongst the greatest albums ever but it is still really good. I think i rate it similar to OP in the 7/10 range. I can certainly see why its so popular though. It has this sort of a desensitizing feeling to it that might be the perfect album to portray the internet age. It feels more like a refusal to admit guilt than depression. Like an overweight conscience remaining silent. You can do all kinds of terrible things over the internet while hiding in anonymity that it might not even seem like youre doing anything wrong at all. This is what i see in OK Computer. Its the soundtrack to a young internet and all of its loyal followers.

Just for the record, I think Scaruffi's a dick.

Re: challenge, I see what you mean that Can/Ubu type stuff actually isn't challenging to me anymore. With that said, I don't really agree with the comparison. Whereas I maybe disliked a band like Can when I first heard them because I wasn't used to the sound and the things they did on their records, I am used to Radiohead's sound. OK Computer is an album that I think is entirely accessible, and I don't consider it a challenge whatsoever. I actually think as a pop album it's pretty much as solid as you can hope for.

Ninetales · 06-13-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetwaves

Just for the record, I think Scaruffi's a dick.

Re: challenge, I see what you mean that Can/Ubu type stuff actually isn't challenging to me anymore. With that said, I don't really agree with the comparison. Whereas I maybe disliked a band like Can when I first heard them because I wasn't used to the sound and the things they did on their records, I am used to Radiohead's sound. OK Computer is an album that I think is entirely accessible, and I don't consider it a challenge whatsoever. I actually think as a pop album it's pretty much as solid as you can hope for.

Haha the scaruffi comment wasnt meant as an insult. i find his tastes interesting and i currently use him as a music source more than any publication (RS, P4k, etc).

and fair enough. I guess i just dont agree that something needs to be "challenging" to be considered great

streetwaves · 06-13-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninetales

Haha the scaruffi comment wasnt meant as an insult. i find his tastes interesting and i currently use him as a music source more than any publication (RS, P4k, etc).

and fair enough. I guess i just dont agree that something needs to be "challenging" to be considered great

No problem. As a source he's fine. He's obviously heard a lot of music and is a decent source for finding more obscure stuff. He's got RS and P4K beaten in that regard by far.

I don't necessarily think it needs to be challenging to be great, but most of the records I think most highly of are on the more challenging side. However, even though I think OK Computer is a very solid pop record, I think there are much better ones that I even do consider to be great despite their poppy-ness (Pet Sounds, Odessey and Oracle, etc). Just don't think OK Computer is one of them.

**Janszoon** · 06-13-2013, 11:44 PM

I agree with this review. I like a few songs from OK Computer but never understood all the praise, even when it was new. I really don't understand how it's continued to be so well regarded after all these years.

Justthefacts · 06-14-2013, 11:02 AM

The only time I'll ever listen to this record is usually when I'm off my face on marijuana.

Circus Horse · 06-20-2013, 07:24 PM

I think a lot of great albums are a product of the time they are written in, and kickstart a shift in popular music.

At that time in the UK, Britpop was the dominant music scene and I think "OK Computer" was one of the albums that took rock music in a different direction in the same way Nirvana or the Sex Pistols did.

Sure, it's a great album, but would it be great if it was released in 1994?

Probably not, but it'd still be good.

Personally, I think there are a lot more great albums released in 1997 that are much better than OK Computer.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, We are Floating in Space"
"Blur"
"The Lonesome Crowded West"
"Homework"
"Brighten the Corners"

And "The Mollusk", which is Ween's best album.

**Janszoon** · 06-20-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Circus Horse

I think a lot of great albums are a product of the time they are written in, and kickstart a shift in popular music.

At that time in the UK, Britpop was the dominant music scene and I think "OK Computer" was one of the albums that took rock music in a different direction in the same way Nirvana or the Sex Pistols did.

Sure, it's a great album, but would it be great if it was released in 1994?

Probably not, but it'd still be good.

Personally, I think there are a lot more great albums released in 1997 that are much better than OK Computer.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, We are Floating in Space"
"Blur"
"The Lonesome Crowded West"
"Homework"
"Brighten the Corners"

And "The Mollusk", which is Ween's best album.

Yes, The Mollusk is a great album. Give me that over OK Computer any day of the week.

consumemedia · 07-22-2013, 10:57 AM

Honestly I feel that In Rainbows is their finest achievement

Justthefacts · 07-22-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consumemedia

Honestly I feel that In Rainbows is their finest achievement

I like you, friend me. It's true.

Surell · 07-25-2013, 12:07 PM

NO IT AINT.

but I like TKOL

06-13-2013, 11:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I agree with this review. I like a few songs from OK Computer but never understood all the praise, even when it was new. I really don't understand how it's continued to be so well regarded after all these years. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

07-22-2013, 10:57 AM	#18 (permalink)
consumemedia Groupie Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 36	Honestly I feel that In Rainbows is their finest achievement __________________ Adam Perlow Consume Media Athens, GA

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06-20-2013, 07:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
Circus Horse Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 17	I think a lot of great albums are a product of the time they are written in, and kickstart a shift in popular music. At that time in the UK, Britpop was the dominant music scene and I think "OK Computer" was one of the albums that took rock music in a different direction in the same way Nirvana or the Sex Pistols did. Sure, it's a great album, but would it be great if it was released in 1994? Probably not, but it'd still be good. Personally, I think there are a lot more great albums released in 1997 that are much better than OK Computer. "Ladies and Gentlemen, We are Floating in Space" "Blur" "The Lonesome Crowded West" "Homework" "Brighten the Corners" And "The Mollusk", which is Ween's best album.