The Beatles, the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, R.E.M. Singer and principal songwriter Thom Yorke stated that OK Computer‘s starting point was Miles Davis’ intense 1970 jazz-fusion album Bitches Brew, inspired by the beauty of “building something up and watching it fall apart”. Soaring to number one on the UK album charts, reaching an impressive 21 on the US Billboard 200 and receiving humongous critical acclaim, Radiohead were now a household name. With the release of OK Computer, that all changed. However, its lack of worldwide commercial success also left them looking like a one hit wonder.
An honest reaction to their sudden fame and a dramatic musical shift, The Bends proved that Radiohead were something special. Still, some critics noticed potential, and two years later their second album The Bends fulfilled that. The single Creep was a worldwide success, but the album was criticised for being too derivative. Radiohead released their debut album Pablo Honey in 1993 to middling reviews. In other words, Radiohead’s third album OK Computer may be 20 years old, but in 2017, it’s more relevant than ever. The difference is, now we consume it through devices that know our favourite restaurants, daily commutes and exact location.
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Film, TV and music still love to warn us about tech, from Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror to Arcade Fire asking “what if the camera really do take your soul?” on their 2013 album Reflektor. Still, I’m no stranger to techno-paranoid media. I will never live in a world where everything – from schools to houses to pockets – isn’t filled with computers. Favourites: Paranoid Android, Let Down, Climbing Up the Walls, The Tourist Least Favourites: Fitter, Happier, Electioneering (Still a pretty good song, though.In 1997, I had not yet been born. It's over 20 years old, but still sounds modern and will remain one of my favourites of all time. All-in-all, Radiohead did smash it out of the park with their third album. While I think the album does lose its footing a bit on tracks 7-8 (Fitter is a great concept, but a bit dull, while Electioneering is a great song, but just doesn't compare to the rest of the pack), and "The Tourist" closes the album off perfectly. The underlying themes of paranoia, technology and the upcoming new digital age are done subtly, but to great effect. The lyrics on the album are so accurate in our modern age, that it's kind of scary. The guitars in the album are a lot more subtle than on The Bends, and, added with the masterful use of electronics, the album manages to be atmospheric without losing its rhythm. The instruments are wild and take from a lot of other styles, which I do love. Thom sounds amazing, be it on the epic "Paranoid Android", to the immense closing chorus of "The Tourist". This album is such a step-up from the great, albeit slightly formulaic and generic sound of The Bends, into the masterful territory.
This album is such a step-up While it may have taken about five listens to fully pin down, and enjoy, enjoy it I did, and still do immensely. While it may have taken about five listens to fully pin down, and enjoy, enjoy it I did, and still do immensely.
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