Music Review by Bill Rendall
OK Computer - Radiohead
The computer age has brought some significant technological advances but has created an unfriendly, depersonalised environment. OK Computer features thoughtful and subversive lyrics about modern society.
A wide variety of sounds were used to create OK Computer. There is some heavy electric guitar but not as much as on previous Radiohead albums. The album could be described as progressive or art rock.
"Exit Music (For a Film)" is my favourite track on the album. It features a haunting melody, with sparse backing through most of the song. The unearthly sound of a Mellotron choir adds greatly to the ominous atmosphere. The song was written for the Baz Luhrmann movie Romeo and Juliet. It was later incorporated into the music score for the movie Unfaithful.
"Fitter, Happier" is the centrepiece of the album. It neatly captures the album's theme of dehumanisation through the use of a synthetic computer voice to recite the lyrics. Unlike the rest of the album, it is even possible to figure out most of the words without having to refer to the written lyrics.
"Electioneering" is probably the most aggressive song on the album and also the one I like least. The lyrics launch a stinging attack on politicians and globalisation.
"Climbing up the Walls" and "No Surprises" work well together. "Climbing up the Walls" is a deeply disturbing song which evokes fear, paranoia and distress. "No Surprises" offers relief by retreating to a quiet, predictable life. The song uses a gentle chiming background sound reminiscent of a child's musical box.
OK Computer ends with the soothing sound of "The Tourist" in a slow waltz time. This song forms a link back to the opening track, "Airbag", which refers to crashing in a fast German car. The modern corporate world says it's okay to drive in life's fast lane because an airbag will protect you if you crash. "The Tourist" warns you to slow down rather than relying on an airbag to save you.
Radiohead may deny that OK Computer is a concept album but it sure sounds like one to me. The lyrics paint a pessimistic picture but convey an important message that deserves to be heard.
The OK Computer album cover is a collage by Stanley Donwood.
Band Members:
Thom Yorke - Vocals, Guitar
Jonny Greenwood - Guitar, Keyboards
Ed O'Brien - Guitar
Colin Greenwood - Bass
Phil Selway - Drums