Radiohead. The mothers of dreariness, pessimism, and weirdness. Yeah right. OK Computer is the one album in my 40 CD collection that I can honestly just sit and listen to. Every song in this album is different but yet brilliant. Thom Yorke covers so many emotions in only 12 songs its amazing.
Airbag - 'In an interstellar burst I'm back to save the universe!'
A good, solid opener. Starts out with a simple guitar riff, then in come the bass and drums, and then Thom himself. It doesn't really hit dramatic heights like some of the songs, but has enough little sounds and blips to keep everyone happy. Its pretty obvious what this song is about, with the lyrics 'An airbag saved my life'. Leads beautifully into..
Paranoid Android - 'When i am king you will be first against the wall'
This song is probably the most epic of them all. It starts out quietly, with Yorke's falsetto coming through nicely. The one minute section repeats, then moves into a little riff that pops up later, which is essentially a bridge into the heavier section. I know i'm trying to describe the undescribable but what the hell. After a couple of lines, we have a guitar solo, which comes to a new dramatic high, and down into a strummy section. 'rain down raindown come on rain down on me from a great height.' Generally, I have no idea what the lyrics mean, but the
music is good and Yorke is an excellent singer so I just let it go. This section lasts a little over 2 minutes, and then wham, its back in your face for the outro which is a minute of guitar effects that all fit together so well, then abruptly, its over.
Subterranean Homesick Alien - 'They're all uptight'
After that epic one song ago, SHA is a lot quieter, with plinky/slidey guitars in the background, its all so mellow. The chorus steps it up a bit, but its moderate pace and noise restrictions and mellow guitars keep it peaceful. One of the weak links, i feel.
Exit Music (For a Film) - 'sing us a song'
This is from the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack. No, fool, not the original. This is definitely my favourite song on OK. Its largely Yorke and a strumming guitar, with a few effects coming in, until 2 mins 50 when the drums come in - the magic moment of the album. Its not hard to see the romeo and juliet theme with lines like 'pack and get dressed before your father hears us', 'breath, keep breathing' and 'I can't do this alone'. I am told the closing line 'I hope that you choke' is the equivalent to 'A curse on both your houses'. You really do have to hear this to believe it - when it gets going in the fourth minute Yorke shows what a great voice he has, and again, it jsut fits together so well.
Letdown - 'it always ends up drivel'
Another contrast, with this quicker song. it is underlined by a distinctive yet quiet guitar line. Unfortunately i have no idea what this song is about. it's a harmless enough song, keeps the album going but doesn't stick in the memory.
Karma Police - 'arrest this man he talks in math'
Everyone knows this song. Everyone who plays guitar knows how to play it. its a ripper. Nice piano and strumming. I can't pick out one element of this song which makes it so great, it just is. I like the drums - simple yet effective.
Fitter Happier - 'more productive'
Is this a song? A computer generated voice says the words in an eerie monotone. Soon, a piano linecomes in, with violins, then effects. It lasts 2 minutes, and has 'meaningful' lyrics - 'a pig, in a cage, on antibiotics'
Electioneering - 'voodoo economics'
The fastest and rockiest song on the album. A truly awesome guitar riff, again, weird lyrics, and the two guitars merge together brilliantly. I love the guitar solo.
Climbing Up The Walls - 'Tuck the kids in safe tonight'
The most sadistic song on the album. Its plain eerie. The drums seem to echo, and the fuzzy bass merge together with Yorke's weird voice on this song. But again, just as you begin to think its crap, it explodes after 3mins 10 seconds into the most inspired guitar solo on the album, and the whole song just leaps to another level, bringing it in line with the best on this album
No Surprises - 'a heart thats full up like a landfill'
Another song that everybody knows. I love it, its my third favourite. Its so melodic and calm - you cant help nodding your head. It keeps at the same noise level, apart form the odd lull. I love it when the backing singers come in after 3 minutes or so, and the lead break is not technically demeanding, but still great.
Lucky - 'we are standing on the edge'
Another personal favourite. This song starts out slow and sad, with a great chorus. it seems average for the album but after 3mins 15 seconds, a new riff starts up, and it explodes into an instrumental that lasts a minute or so, which is a definite highpoint of the album.
The Tourist - 'Where the hell am i going?'
Another great closer. Its a slow song, quiet at the start, with a moderate chorus. I love the drumming on this song. It takes a long time to end, but when it does after about 5 and a half minutes, a single note on a triangle finishes the album off
People either love Radiohead or hate them. I generally find people who play guitars love them, for the simple reason that you can't fail to respect them for the complexity of their music. I bought the music book, and it never ceases to amaze me. I do, however, think Kid A was bullshit, but Pablo Honey and The Bends were fantastic. Creep is one of my all-time favourite songs. They are bringing out a new album soonish though, so lets hope its a beast like this.
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What an album! I'm gonna be singing Radiohead songs all day now, cheers
rawduu 25.05.2001 00:09
This is my album of the nineties. Lucky is my favourite song and I also love the bit of Karma Police where Thom panifully wails "For a minute then I lost myself". A great op as well, keep it up.
beautifuloser 25.05.2001 00:07
This is probably the greatest album of all time in my opinion.
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