OK Computer - Radiohead > Reviews > When I am King, You Will Be First Against The Wall

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Superb follow up to the Bends
Disadvantages:	Track 7

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Well as I've been away from music ops again its time to return to what I actually know and the subject of this op is going to be a band I am rediscovering; Radiohead.

So after releasing two albums, which revolutionized music the world waited to see exactly how Radiohead were going to follow up Pablo Honey and The Bends. Well the answer from the Oxford band was Ok Computer a superb album, which again would move the goal posts for modern music.

The British band are becoming one of the biggest acts in the world and this album released in 1997 went a bit further to proofing that point.

Tracks
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1) Airbag
2) Paranoid Android
3) Subterranean Homesick Alien
4) Exit Music (For a Film)
5) Let Down
6) Karma Police
7) Fitter Happier
8) Electioneering
9) Climbing Up The Walls
10) No Surprises
11) Lucky
12) The Tourist.

Track 1: Airbag
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The albums opening track starts with a guitar and some bells gently tapping in the back ground before the drums come in leading into the vocals. A pretty mellow sounding song that wouldn't be out of place on the bends eases you into the third album. A solid drumbeat throughout the song and the first use of the samples, which have become do prominent in this album. The end of the track uses even more samples before eventually leading of nicely straight into Paranoid Android.

Track 2: Paranoid Android
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As just mentioned Airbag leads nicely into Paranoid Android, which starts with a guitar and maracas. The first single released from the album had a cartoon video and with the song lasting over 6 minutes it is also the longest on the album. The bass and guitar are used to keep the main beat with a few samples mixed in for the chorus and the maracas keeping time nicely instead of a drum.

Track 3: Subterranean Homesick Alien
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Bit of a weird name for a song but that is something that Radiohead seem to specialise in. It starts with a deep echoing Bass before the guitar and drums come in with a few samples and then the vocals. This is the longest song on the album at almost 6 and a half minutes. The song drifts along in a nice peaceful vibe that not only relaxes you but also could quite easily help you drift of to sleep. This is a wonderful piece of music that carries on at the same mellow tempo only picking up for the chorus.

Track 4: Exit Music (For a Film)
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This song starts with a acoustic guitar playing before the vocals come in quite dark and deep. The echo on the vocals adds an eerie complexion to the song. The song carries on with just Yorke's vocals and the acoustic guitar before a vocal chorus joins in with part of the song. A few samples are used in the background. The mellow vibe carries on when the drums and Bass come in towards the end. The vocals also pick up towards the end getting faster and losing the creepy vibe.

Track 5: Let Down
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The next track starts a little bit more upbeat than the last one with the drums coming in a lot earlier with the guitars and vocals. Another very mellow song, although it’s not quite as laid back and relaxing as the last one. Again the vocals sound superb like on any other Radiohead song.

Track 6: Karma Police
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Another of the singles released on this album Karma Police was the video where the car was chasing someone along the road before he blew it up. A slow guitar intro before the vocals come in on another mellow relaxing tune. After a few listens the lyrics become quite memorable, even though there aren't really that much of a difference. The vocals sound superb again and Thom Yorke is showing why Radiohead are changing music with songs like this.

Track 7: Fitter Happier
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This is a bit of a bizarre song. Starts with a computerised voice just talking and a bit of background noise with a piano playing. This really lets the album down, as the voice is a little bit annoying. It’s just less than 2 minutes long and really an ideal candidate to be skipped, but at least it’s the only one on the album.

Track 8: Electioneering
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A tambourine starts this song off before the guitars and drums come in for a fairly upbeat song by this albums standards. The vocals come in and the song is very catchy and one of those you can't actually sing along with but can tap your foot to or your hand on the steering wheel. The vocals aren't that clear but it seems to add to the effect of the song and make it a little better. Another of those weird song names though for the song that is probably my favourite on the album.

Track 9: Climbing Up The Walls
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A sample kicks off this track before it gets a little darker with the introduction of a couple of other samples. You can hear a little of the influence on the last couple of Blur albums on here, which just reinforces my point about Radiohead being a spearhead for other bands. Although at first it sounds a little dark and depressing, there is no doubt that this is a quality song.

Track 10: No Surprises
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The third of the singles from the album and probably the second best track on it. It starts with a piano and guitar mixed sample before the guitars really start to build a little in to the beautiful lyrics. The vocals are calm and soothing and really suit in with the musical element of the song. It keeps a slow mellow pace throughout the song. Really enjoyable to listen to especially on a day like this when it really suits the mood the rain has set.

Track 11: Lucky
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Well were now onto the second to last track, which again starts with a quiet sample before the guitar and vocals come in. Again it’s quite a relaxing, mellow track with superb lyrics again; Yorke's voice really does suit this type of track. The drums keep time well and let the song carry on in places with a guitar solo, which sounds superb.

Track 12: The Tourist
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The final track on the album, the Tourist starts with a piano in a similar way to a Coldplay song. The drums join in with it with a slow beat before the vocals come in with a similar style to all the other songs. The vocals reach new heights on this song and its maybe something a little slower as it is the end of the album.

It did take me a while to get into this album but if you like anything you've heard by Radiohead then you will love this. A lot of bands coming onto the scene are being heralded as the new Radiohead, which must be a real compliment to Radiohead. The album will set you back a bargain £8.99 from CD-wow.com and its well worth it as your getting a superb album.