Radiohead - OK Computer
 

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I’ve never understood the fascination nearly everyone appears to have with Radiohead’s OK Computer (1997). Compared to the usual extremely positive review this album gets, my review is quite negative. In reality, though, I see my view of this album is being pretty fair. I don’t say it’s a “bad” album simply because I’m annoyed at the praise it receives. That wouldn’t wouldn’t be the truth, because it’s certainly not bad. But is it good? At times maybe, but it doesn’t approach greatness and it certainly doesn’t approach being the greatest record of all-time (or of the 90s, or of 1997, to be frank).

If I wasn’t aware of the tremendous praise this album receives, I’d literally never be able to guess it. For something so universally-acclaimed, the listening experience is thoroughly ordinary. Forget the complaints that Thom Yorke sounds “whiny”, or that it’s “too depressing”. My criticisms are not as superficial as that, and such complaints really should be ignored. My main problem is that there is a lack of substance to this record. Basically, this is slightly more intelligent pop music for people who have a bit more interest in music than your average listener. Comparisons to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon are fairly well-justified in that both records are not particularly interesting from a creative standpoint, but have the kind of blend of musical competence and style that makes them extremely popular with the mainstream music press (and therefore with their readers).

After all, both are exceedingly accessible records. Unless a person isn't accustomed to "different" sounding music at all (likely the type of person that complains about Yorke's vocals or the album's "depressing mood") it can’t be said that OK Computer ever delves into any sort of challenging territory. While that’s not a requirement for a record, I do think it’s a requirement if the record is to be taken seriously as a true work of art, a masterpiece, and one of the “greatest ever”. There are records from the 60s that are likely to surprise you more than this album ever could. And if your mind is open, those are the type of surprises that win you over and reward you the most in the end, I think. Albums like Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Velvet Underground & Nico, and of course Trout Mask Replica from the 60s; or Can's Tago Mago, Faust's self-titled debut (or even So Far or Faust IV, which are more accessible), or Pere Ubu's The Modern Dance from the 70s. These albums do things that surprise the listener, but it's not a gimmick (as opposed to some of the studio gimmickry Radiohead's guilty of here), rather they do this in pursuit of a purer form of expression. They of course may turn you off at first (or forever), but I think the beauty is in that potential to truly reward you.

So, in conclusion, OK Computer is by no means a bad record. It’s a totally competent, easily-accessible pop album that is sort of a victim of its own incredible success. Yes, it's bothersome that it frequently overshadows what I consider to be true masterpieces. But I don’t “hate” it, and I don’t complain that the singer sounds whiny, or that the lyrics are “depressing”, or anything like that. I just don’t think it’s done anything to deserve its status, and at least at the time, it doesn’t sound like Thom Yorke did either: “We write pop songs … there was no intention of it being ‘art’.”

6.5-7/10

OK Computer for me is an easy 9 before "Fitter Happier", about a 5 or 6 including and after

^ my feelings exactly. The band were apparently listening to many of what are considered "classic albums" (Dark Side, Sgt. Peppers, Bitches Brew, even Can), so I think that kind of tone is evident. A lot of albums don't work out when the intent is to mirror some past artist's opus.

Though the songwriting isn't my favorite of theirs, I do think their concept was dead-on for the time (or still is) and is one a lot of artists haven't really tackled. Some of their best songs are on this album as well, but the whole album just doesn't stack up to later work, or even the Bends really.

While I don't necessarily agree with your opinion here, I still concede that this review was very well-written and insightful and I really, really hope you write more reviews!

At least you have Kid A.

At first I hated "Fitter Happier" as well, but now I avoid skipping it and actually like it. As strange as it is, it ties the album together thematically.

OK Computer is an easy 10 for me. There are just too many classic songs on it for the rating to be any lower IMO. "Let Down" especially: what a tune.

Agreed

I forgot to mention that I personally like "Fitter Happier" and is definitely essential to the album's concept but I stand by all else stated.

Def pretty epic album...I remember taking a ton of pills and drinking and getting all loopy and then laying in bed with my head phones on and this being one the albums i used to space out too !!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Honestly I feel that In Rainbows is their finest achievement

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

NO IT AINT.

but I like TKOL

That's a shit record.

Awesome Japanese Blow-Up poster avatar. Great film.

I've listened to this album 2 or 3 times now, and I pretty much agree with the original poster. It's not a bad album, but it's not particularly great either. It's just sort-of "meh."

Your comment about the dark side of this moon is completely wrong. Not interesting from a creative point? Seriously have you even listened to it? Agree with some of your comments about ok computer. Personally I love the album and think it's a great statement. But your comments about the dark side of the moon are in my opinion wrong. But they're your opinions. great review though

this a 10/10 album for sure

In Rainbows was used in Twilight. I rest my case bro.

Definitely one of the greatest albums of all time. One doesn't have to like it to respect it.
I don't love Nevermind by Nirvana, but I respect it.

Lol, really? Uh oh.

By the way, I like the album more than I respect it. Not that I like it much either, but I think it's more of a likable album than it is some achievement worthy of respect. I say this in response to a couple posters above.

Re: DSOTM, let's agree to disagree. I don't find Dark Side of the Moon very interesting, even if it is well-produced and "well-crafted".

Yeah 15step is in the credits, it's pretty awkward, they needed mo money, can't blame em. It's probably worse that I know this than that they did it.

Epic still.

I havent listened to this band in forever -.-

I listened to all Radiohead albums chronologicly.
I like them, but i don't really understand the amount of praise.
I thought listening to them was pretty relaxing. I remember falling asleep after finnishing the last song on the bends, but in a good way xP.

I kind of agree -- when I go back and listen to it, it doesn't seem to be as great.

Things to consider though -- so many people have been influenced by Radiohead -- its easy to see how they could start to appear bland in comparison -- their music has been subtly dispersed into everything (its all over TV anymore). And at the time, grunge rock was in major decline -- Radiohead was pretty refreshing.

But some of the tracks definitely seem a little generic in 2014 though. "Lucky" is still incredible IMO.

Exactly

Although the album may now be a victim of its own success (like Nirvana's Nevermind), one can only true understand its impact on the world while reviewing it within the time. Also, compared to Pablo Honey or The Bends, Ok Computer isn't as accessible (with B-sides from the era, Airbag / How Am I Driving? and No Surprises/Running from Demons, more on the experimental side) and thus not the pop album that you so claim. However good review.

Originally Posted by JakeATLBraves24 View Post
"Let Down" especially: what a tune.

I agree too.

I feel OK computer is slightly overrated. However, it deserves to be.

Great album.

Here are a few albums which came out the same year which I'd listen to with equal enthusiasm:

around the fur
homogenic
hard normal daddy

Nevermind sucks and Dolittle is overrated look at me I'm so cool.<OP

Do you have a list of albums that you do consider great art? I'd be interested to listen.

Just so u know I was taking a stab at the guy that reviewed the album.I actually like Radiohead.

Seeing as u have Unknown Pleasures as your profile here are some Post-Punk essentials

In the Flat Field - Bauhaus
Marquee Moon - Television
The Idiot - Iggy Pop
The Modern Dance - Pere Ube
Metal Box - Public Image Ltd
Entertainment! - Gang of Four
Juju - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Real Life - Magazine
Chairs Missing - Wire
Youth of America - Wipers
Fear of Music - Talking Heads
Pornography - The Cure
Vs. - Mission of Burma
Let Love In - Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
This Nation's Saving Grace - The Fall
White Light From the Mouth of Infinity - Swans
Turn On the Bright Lights - Interpol