OK Computer is, in my view, the greatest album of all time. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions with its haunting melodies, Thom Yorkes unique voice and Radiohead’s up most originality.

Radiohead must be, apart from the all mighty Pink Floyd, the only band to do experimental albums well. Every one of their albums brings something new to the table, the crunching, and on reflection grungy, Pablo Honey, the moving power rock on The Bends, the mind nawing guitarlessness ( is that a word?!) of Kid A and Amnesiac and then this, OK Computer.

Every track is different and as good as the last, and the brooding intensity doesn’t leave you disturbed after listening like Kid A does. At times experimental, with Johnny Greenwood, the man who can play absolutely everything, making new and strange noises, sounds and music, then at other times soft and beautiful as Thom gets inside your head with his thought provoking lyrics and at others just pure rock at its best that makes you want to scream along out into the heavens.
OK Computer hit the world like a hurricane, reaching that all elusive top spot all over the Earth, going multi-platinum, sending music critics wild with admiration and their doubters running home to their mammies.
Not bad for an experimental, non commercial album, eh ?!

Airbag-----

This song works for OK Computer like Planet Telex did for the Bends, a lovely driving rock tune that got it’s inpiration from Thom Yorkes fear of cars… It was originally called an Airbag Saved My Life. Beautiful,rocking,haunting….brilliant.

10/10

Paranoid Android----

This is the most complicated and out there song on an album of complicated and out there songs. This is at its best a modern day Bohemian Rhapsody and at its worst one of the most powerful, intricate, and amazingly innovative music of the decade. This has three parts with no choruses as such, it starts with a paranoid Yorke complaining about the “unborn chicken voices in my head” and then builds up into a drilling and thrilling guitar explosion as Thom screams “ Off with his head man, off with his head man, now do you remember my name!?!” and ends in vital warning of the haunting kind; “ the yuppies networking” and the sarcastic “ God loves his children… yeah!”
This is a brilliant piece and will have you screeching, wailing, yelling, pleading, and bleeding with Thom. You have been warned!

20/10!!!!

Subterranean Homesick Alien----

Starts with echoing melody and Thom starts singing beautifully these incredible lyrics. It does exactly what it says in the name and has the gentle verse, nice building chorus as Thom constantly repeats “ Uptight!” Thom sings with conviction and you really begin to think Thom IS a alien. The band pulls out all the stops with the lovely melodies and surreal music.

10/10

Exit Music (for a film)

Starts with a haunting, acoustic guitar as Thom starts singing a lullaby song of passion. The guitar is beautiful and fragile as is Thom’s voice ( it sounds like he is going to give up the ghost) When the band was asked to contribute to the movie Romeo and Juliet they came up with this which centres around the moment in which Juliet has a Colt 45 to her head. It climaxes with Thom’s soaring voice telling us “ We hope that you choke” as the song fades to the sound of crowd samples. Thom is almost crying by the end….Woah!

10/10

Let Down----

My least favourite song is still great with a nice rhythm and melody. This starts off with the same type of style of The Bends song Nice Dream, which I probably prefer. Nice lyrics.
I’m glad this is here on the album as you need something slightly up beat after Homesick Alien and Exit Music. Refreshing and catchy after a few listens

8/10

Karma Police---

This is my fave song on the album. It gives me butterflies in my stomach every listen. It has the most wonderful piano in it and is really incredible. Try not to feel moved as Thom tells us “ This is what you’ll get, this is what you’ll get…when you mess with us” and the piano climaxes. The lyrics are amazing and the tune is very bassy and all round excellent. Thom sings “ For a minute, I lost myself”
I don’t know about Thom, but I certainly do every time I hear this song. It puts me in a trance…..ss….ehh?! sorRy d—drift—eded off there fo—r a second .. I have my earphones on,,,,,,,,…

20/10!!!

Fitter Happier----

This is just great and is basically just a computer voice talking but it does find some tune. People think this is just filler but I think it’s really thought provoking. It’s basically about clones I think, as the computer talks about its qualities, ; “ fitter happier more productive” and slowly starts talking about there loss of emotion “ will not cry in public… still kisses with saliva” and then ends with the words.. “A pig. In a cage. On antibiotics.”
10/10 for originality

Electioneering—

Begins with great thanging crunching American guitars and Thom sings upbeatedly. Rising and crunching with conviction.This song is like a close link to Pablo Honey, and will have your head bopping about and feet stomping. Great Great Great Great Great Great!

10/10

Climbing Up Walls---

This is spooky! Thom’s voice is high and distorted and the haunting music plays to paint a picture of a scary monster. This is about the monster in the wardrobe children think lives there. When I first heard it I thought it was about a stalker. Is like Sting’s I’ll Be Watching You but much, much more disturbing and dangerous. The chorus sees a rising piano haunting telling us, “Either way you turn,
I'll be there
Open up your skull,
I'll be there
Climbing up the walls” and ends with a bloodcurdling yell from Thom. Top marks to Johnny, Colin, Phil and Ed on the music, or should I say atmosphere.

10/10

No Surprises—
“You look so tired and happy, bring down the government, they don’t speak for us”

This is sleepy and pretty. Like a hippy tune you can easily sleep to this , but also easily “not hear” the moving lyrics like above. Beautiful and one of the few bright songs on OK.

9/10

Lucky----

Every one has heard this beautiful song . A man out of luck with 1 last chance. You have to listen to this . It is moving and daunting and beautiful. Reminds me of the Bends. The lyrics are flawless and this tune will go down as a classic song. I’m sitting here listening to it and there are tears on my cheeks and butterflies in my stomach….. ‘Nuff Said!
“Head of state has called for me by name
But i don't have time for him
It's gonna be a glorius day
I feel my luck could change
Pull me out of the aircrash
Pull me out of the lake coz I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge”
20/10

The Tourist----
Last song is beautiful and great and everything else you would expect. This one was written by Johnny Greenwood and is truly magnificient. Lovely chorus that flows and ebs and rises and falls. The song, and album, ends with the hitting of a triangle.
10/10

So there you have it, the best album of the decade,at least,by the best band of the decade,at least, in my opinion. A fine piece of work that creates something that hasn’t been seen since Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club or, The Dark Side of the Moon… and which I find more moving. I will continue to listen to music and have faith in the music industry which really doesn’t deserve it as long as this album exists and is there, in my cd rack, a little plastic disc, ready to make me mourn……