Radiohead

Item: OK Computer
Author: James Stewart

OK Computer

(1997)

Reviewed by James Stewart

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Label Capitol RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1998

alternative rock art rock

The single 'Creep' from the album Pablo Honey was the first song to really bring Oxford-based Radiohead to the world's attention. Following the success of that song, Radiohead released The Bends in 1995, which has since been hailed as one of the most creative guitar-rock albums of the mid 90s. How Radiohead were going to top that effort was a matter for much debate in the months leading to the release of this album.... From the release of the first single, 'Paranoid Android,' it became clear that Radiohead had created something new and fresh that wasn't bound by commercial constraints. Critical acclaim coupled with their already large fanbase ensured that this album topped the UK album charts in its week of release.

The best pigeon-hole for Radiohead is modern progressive rock. While the songs are shorter than is often common within progressive rock (the longest track, "Paranoid Android," is 6 minutes 30 seconds), the range of sounds built up with layered guitars and electronic assistance leads to a level of complexity unseen in this album's contemporaries. Musically it occasionally reminds me of the Prayer Chain's Mercury, but goes further than that with its experimentation and complexity.

Radiohead's position spiritually is far from "Christian," but there is certainly an awareness of spirituality present in Thom Yorke's lyrics. Those lyrics are something of an enigma - there is a level of detachment in them. It's almost as if Thom is commenting on his own life in the third person at times, but they are deeply moving. Spiritual and Christian references abound; in "Paranoid Android" Yorke brings in the lines:

the crackle of pig skin
the yuppies networking
the vomit
the vomit
god loves his children yeah!'

The delivery and context show a cynical response to the idea of God's love, and I believe that some of the ideas presented in these lyrics are essential for Christians to get to grips with if the popularity of Radiohead as lyricists says anything about our culture.

The general tone of the album is dark, although there are spots of light appearing throughout - the cynical humor in particular. The only complaints I have heard against the album are allegations that it is depressing. That is a valid complaint from a certain point of view, but for many it has been liberating to have some of these feelings expressed in this way. It has also been suggested that the album can be divided neatly into two parts, with a depressed first section concluding with the computer voice (sounding remarkably like Professor Stephen Hawking) over a soundtrack of electronic noises which is 'Fitter, Happier.' This particular track seems to be a cynical glance at modern society's beliefs of self-improvement:

calm
fitter, healthier and more productive
a pig
in a cage
on antibiotics

Following this track, the album takes a slightly lighter tone lyrically but still loses nothing of what we have come to expect of Radiohead.

Earlier today I heard the single release of "No Surprises," and realized one of the things that makes this album so special is that it is an "experience" - only a few of the songs stand out on their own, but as an album it all fits together and makes perfect sense. While its alleged position as best album of the century (an award given in a recent Q reader's poll) may be debatable, in my opinion this is destined to be one of the most important albums of the decade. As well as being an excellent musical experience it is an album that any Christian wishing to understand modern society should seriously consider getting to grips with.

5 tocks