#50 – OK Computer

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So, we begin with an Alt-Rock, Art-Rock classic, an album that influenced Rock music well into the noughties, one that successfully blended influences and genres in a paradoxically accessible yet challenging way. From the progressive fury of ‘Paranoid Android’, to the Bitches Brew influence of those enchanting, gliding keys on ‘Subterranean Homesick Alien’, to the Pet Sound-esque, chiming guitar riff on ‘No Suprises’, this is an album that wears its influences on its sleeve, managing to balance strong social and political themes whilst keeping things musically fresh and interesting.

The political and social context is still very much relatable and apparent to modern life, and OK Computer played into fears of the future, of capitalism and isolation, and of technological dependency, that are relevant now more than ever. It does this without being (too) overwrought, and without sullying the undeniably brilliant compositions underneath.

Highlights include the wailing, synth-fuelled climax of ‘Exit Music (For a Film)’, the hauntingly uplifting chorus of ‘Let Down’, and the final, jazz-tinged unravelling in ‘The Tourist’, as the album comes to a close with the ring of a bell.

However, it isn’t without flaws; ‘Electioneering’ is arguably out of place musically, even if it is perhaps the most overtly political song on the album, and the ‘concept’ (thought the band are keen to stress that this is not a Concept Album) isn’t thread particularly clearly or strongly through the tracks; the slightly heavy-handed, robot-voiced, spoken-word piece, ‘Fitter Happier’, attempting to rectify this, but not with complete success.

Overall though, this is a daring and well-realised slice of Art-Rock that laid the foundation for leagues of imitators, and shaped the Alternative Rock scene for a good few years (maybe not entirely for the better). It showed, for the first time in a long time, that Rock music was allowed to be clever, was allowed to take risks, and that the public were willing and able to accept interesting structures and sizeable concepts.

The collection of ideas presented in OK Computer was message to others in the Alt-Rock game that they had to step up. How would Radiohead top this? How indeed…

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1639060) Solid list man. I didn't take you for a Jandek fan.

Originally Posted by Plainview (Post 1639063) Still got loads of his stuff to hear, but listened to the first album and thought it was amazing, so emotional and eery and haunting. Really dig what I've heard, but he's got a huge discography to go through! What are the highlights?

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1639067) I think I've only heard about a third to half of his catalogue. My favourites are Interstellar Discussion, Blue Corpse, Chair Beside the Window, I Threw You Away, and Six and Six.

#49 - 808s and Heartbreak

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From the time I first started formulating this list, I knew I wanted at least one Hip-Hop album in here; I felt it needed representation as a genre, a genre that I listen to a surprising amount (surprising to myself, at least). Plenty of albums crossed my mind: from Paid in Full, to Good Kid Mad City, to Bizzare Ride II the Pharcyde, to The Cold Vein.

But the truth is, I cheated, because 808s and Heartbreak isn’t really Hip-Hop at all. What it is, is an Electro-R&B odyssey into the man behind the ego.

This album was criminally underrated when it was first released, with critics finding West’s new direction unpalatable and unsatisfying. In truth, they were probably just shocked and challenged by the sparse and dark soundscapes and subject matters, the coldness and melancholy that was wrapped up so tightly and profoundly within the pop melodies. But this bold and wintry approach to pop song-writing has undeniably had a hugely resounding impact on the Hip-Hop and R&B genres, and it’s now difficult to find any pop Hip-Hop album that doesn’t draw from the production aspects laid down here.

The emotional sincerity is emphasised and complimented by the stripped back production, with the Roland TR-808 laying down heavy, laborious beats that drive down the atmosphere into a place far removed from usually highly ego driven and high-spirited tracks that colour West’s earlier work. He pairs this with the use of auto-tune, at first a practice that was a source of derision in the music press, but one that West uses here to increase the detached and chilling atmosphere, distancing himself from his humanity with an artificial, ghostly echo.

But this paradoxically makes the album more personal than ever, and as West tells us how “a Dad cracked a joke, all the kids laughed, but I couldn't hear him all the way in first class” on ‘Welcome to Heartbreak’, we really feel his pain and frustration in how he has traded emotional wealth for the material.

This is an album forged in the fires of pain and helplessness, West having endured a break-up and the death of his Mother before the album’s recording, and as he subsequently proved on Yeezus, it is in this dark place that his music really comes alive.

The critics that derided it originally probably didn’t imagine it would become the most influential album made by a Hip-Hop artist in its decade, but their opinions are irrelevant; the fact that it resonated with so many artists, so many creators of music, tells you all you need to know.

As fashionable as it is to dislike Kanye, and popular Hip-Hop music in general, there is genuine, confronting emotion here; a perfect suiting of music and theme, and for that reason, it’s on this list. Sorry, Eric B. and Rakim!

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds (Post 1639774) I really hope you complete this, because there are a bunch of albums on there I should probably listen to.

Originally Posted by Plainview (Post 1639029) 8. Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy - Sun Ra 9. Bitches Brew - Miles Davis 20. Drukqs - Aphex Twin 22. Journey in Satchidananda - Alice Coltrane 26. Tago Mago - Can 38. Filth - Swans 45. Ready for the House - Jandek 47. Machine Gun - The Peter Brötzmann Octet

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1640102) Excited for these ones in particular (also fixed #47 for you, though I'm sure people will get the idea if you keep it just as Brotzmann). I notice you have a lot of Fahey on there, have you heard Womblife? That one's my favourite of his because it's so different from the rest of his work (and anyone else's).

Originally Posted by Plainview (Post 1640244) No I'll amend that, only fair to give all eight of them credit! Yes I really love Fahey but have neglected to listen to his 90's stuff, I'll definitely check it though. Do you have any recs for artists similar to Brotzmann? Other European Free Jazz artists or whatever?