Landmark Albums: Radiohead's "OK Computer"

Initially dismissed as “Nirvana-lite” after the release of their debut album Pablo Honey, it would be their third record, 1997’s OK Computer, that would make Radiohead one of the most critically acclaimed bands in the world.

Whenever music magazines and reviewers compile a “best of…” list, OK Computer always holds one of the top spots. In fact, last month Paste Magazine declared it the best album of the 90's: "No other album from the decade left such a lasting legacy, marking a clear transition from hook-oriented Britpop to more experimental, prog-friendly rock." 

Whenever musicians are asked about inspiring music or favorite albums, OK Computer is listed as often as Abbey Road or Nevermind. Michael Stipe, Johnny Marr, and members of Coldplay have sung its praises. OK Computer has become a cultural mainstay, and has continued to surprise the band that recorded it.

The album was crafted at a leisurely pace throughout 1996, giving Radiohead’s members time to try new sounds and test early versions of the tracks on live audiences. They drew inspiration from an assortment of sources, from The Beatles to The Pixies, and even Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The result is an atmospheric, melodic, rock masterpiece. It embraces a wide array of electronic and ambient sounds, with lyrics that ooze of distrust and paranoia. While some dismissed the album as a moody, garbled mess, it remains a rock classic, with EMI still cashing in with regular reissues.

In 2007, Radiohead released OK Computer’s unofficial companion piece, In Rainbows.  Ironically heralded as their best album since OK Computer, they were in fact meant to be played together. All you have to do is alternate tracks between the two albums, beginning with “Airbags” from OK Computer and following with “15 Step” from In Rainbows, and you hear one amazing album ten years in the making.

The Songs:

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

The Personnel:

Thom Yorke – Vocals, guitar, laptop, programming, piano

Jonny Greenwood – Guitar, keyboard, piano, organ, glockenspiel, string arrangements

Colin Greenwood – Bass guitar, keyboard, percussion

Ed O’Brien – Guitar, FX, percussion, backing vocals

Phil Selway – Drums, percussion

Nigel Godrich – Production, engineering

Jim Warren – Production, engineering

Chris Blair - Mastering

Stanely Donwood and The White Chocolate Farm - Illustrations

Nick Ingman - Conducting

(Elford Alley has written plays, sketch comedy, and short stories. He currently lives in Dallas with his wife and daughter. Follow Elford on Twitter.) 

Comments

[Roger Trott]

Agreed that it's the best album of the '90s. I hadn't thought about the similarities to "In Rainbows," but you're right that they complement each other very nicely.

[richie]

I too hadn't thought of "In Rainbows" as a complementary album. I'm grateful to Elford for having pointed that out.

[Elford]

Yeah, a lot of people pointed out the similarities and clues to me, and I think they're meant to be played together. But a few of my friends say they still don't hear it.

[richie]

Is "OK Computer" the greatest album of the 90's?

[Used Macbook Pros]

So I still feel comfortable with my recommendation: if your main production machine is a desktop or laptop computer, upgrade to Windows 7 now (if you haven’t already) and avoid Windows 8 like the plague.