OK COMPUTER

[Deleted member 384463]

For context, in 1997, the world was changing. The internet was beginning to gain popularity, and people started to feel the first impacts of the "digital age." "OK Computer" reflects this uniquely. The album is much more than just a rock album; it's essentially a critique of technological advancement and the disconnection between people, common nowadays.

One of the first albums to challenge the classic rock format. "Paranoid Android" is basically a clear example of this. The song unfolds in several parts, mixes genres, and feels more like a trip than a radio hit. The introduction of electronic elements, loops, and complex textures, without losing the spirit of rock, was something new at the time. I like it a lot, and it makes it unique for me.

The lyrics on this album carry a heavy emotional weight, especially for me. It talks about alienation, depression, the speed of the modern world, and the loss of control. Songs like “No Surprises” and “Karma Police” explore the desire to escape from an increasingly oppressive society, while others like “Let Down” capture feelings of insignificance and disconnection, relatable tbh.

Interestingly, "OK Computer" was one of the first albums to be considered almost a masterpiece, something that transcends the medium itself and makes the people rethink music as something different.

This album is incredibly nostalgic for me; it gives me a feeling of the late '90s and the early 2000s. The beeps at the beginning of "Paranoid Android" are one of the most memorable things for me. In fact, one of my favorite songs, "Man of War," was made for a 007 movie but ended up not being used. However, back then, they had live performances of the song. In 2017, the album received a remaster with bonus tracks that weren’t in the original, including "Man of War," along with new cover artwork. It's probably one of the albums I most identify with, especially with the song “Subterranean Homesick Alien." Anyway, I wanted to know if there are any other Radiohead fans here.

And btw, this album, for me, was ahead of its time.

Radiohead - OK Computer OKNOTOK (Full Album)

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[thumbsdown]

Radiohead rules, tho my fav album is Hail to the Thief lol

 

[Deleted member 384463]

Radiohead rules, tho my fav album is Hail to the Thief lol

I really like this album too. Personally, there isn’t a bad album of theirs for me.

 

[thumbsdown]

100% agreed!

 

[bigstinkie]

admittedly i could never get too into radiohead
they were so ever present in every little crack and valley i suppose their sound and message already fell on tired ears by the time i had actually listened to their records
still good music but tainted by what was and is out of their control as musicians

 

[Deleted member 384463]

Still good music but tainted by what was and is out of their control as musicians.

Indeed.

 

[jiyuuboyetsvi]

admittedly i could never get too into radiohead
they were so ever present in every little crack and valley i suppose their sound and message already fell on tired ears by the time i had actually listened to their records
still good music but tainted by what was and is out of their control as musicians

I agree. I'm not sure, radiohead was probably too deep for me at the time when I coulda fell in love with them.

I really love their album Kid A, but it's one of those albums that I listened to during a scary part of my life and now it's forever associated with that darkness so I don't want to listen to it anymore.

In Rainbows is pretty good too but eh idk. Thom's vocals can be pretty out there sometimes. Though I will say, their music is amazing.

 

[ZombieFish]

The day Hail to the Thief came out I went and bought it on my lunchbreak and played it on the store’s audio system when I got back. Best shift I ever worked. I knew it would be, though; I’d already listened to it a bunch by then cause it leaked early online. Maybe the most hyped I’ve ever been for an album, and the most satisfied with the results. Also, and I’d never suggest anyone else do this, but driving down backroads at night on acid in dense fog listening to Kid A is a transcendent experience. It’d be hard to overstate how much I love Radiohead’s entire oeuvre. Fuck Thom York lately, for reasons, but Radiohead kicks ass. Listen with headphones. FLAC or legit CD is a must.

 

[thumbsdown]

The day Hail to the Thief came out I went and bought it on my lunchbreak and played it on the store’s audio system when I got back. Best shift I ever worked. I knew it would be, though; I’d already listened to it a bunch by then cause it leaked early online. Maybe the most hyped I’ve ever been for an album, and the most satisfied with the results. Also, and I’d never suggest anyone else do this, but driving down backroads at night on acid in dense fog listening to Kid A is a transcendent experience. It’d be hard to overstate how much I love Radiohead’s entire oeuvre. Fuck Thom York lately, for reasons, but Radiohead kicks ass. Listen with headphones. FLAC or legit CD is a must.

Indeed, bro.

 

[Deleted member 746185]

My favorite track from Ok Computer would have to be Karma Police and No Surprises, as they accurately predicted the moral policing nature of the world increasing (karma police) and people getting more and more disassociated and lonely and increase in suicidal thoughts (No Surprises).

My personal favorite album from Radiohead is definitely The Bends though. Like I remember every track from that song, and Street Spirit (Fade Out) is unironically a banger song to play on my funeral. XD

 

[ZombieFish]

My favorite track from Ok Computer would have to be Karma Police and No Surprises, as they accurately predicted the moral policing nature of the world increasing (karma police) and people getting more and more disassociated and lonely and increase in suicidal thoughts (No Surprises).

My personal favorite album from Radiohead is definitely The Bends though. Like I remember every track from that song, and Street Spirit (Fade Out) is unironically a banger song to play on my funeral. XD

People sleep on The Bends, and they really shouldn’t, it’s sooo gooood. It’s funny to me that the band felt like they were just doing their version of U2 back then. Like, you can kinda hear it in spots, but the worst song on The Bends blows the best song U2 ever made out of the water. Street Spirit is a great choice, always makes me wanna play Silent Hill 1.

 

[Deleted member 746185]

People sleep on The Bends, and they really shouldn’t, it’s sooo gooood. It’s funny to me that the band felt like they were just doing their version of U2 back then. Like, you can kinda hear it in spots, but the worst song on The Bends blows the best song U2 ever made out of the water. Street Spirit is a great choice, always makes me wanna play Silent Hill 1.

For the worst, and the worst I mean is like the one I like the least, is Planet Telex, and Planet Telex is a fucking banger I will play anyday. So yeah, though I haven't heard a song from U2 outside of their mission impossible rendition, but I am happy that each Radiohead album feels like they were experimenting with something new. Even if they were inspired by others (which to be honest is not a sin) they did their own thing.

Post automatically merged: Jul 23, 2025

Also, Bulletproof and Black Star are such underrated songs. They don't get the love they deserve like High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees.

 

[Letule]

"Fitter Happier" is definitely the only song that's jarringly out of place in the tracklist. Sure, the lyrics mesh well with the general theme of the album, but it feels more like something you'd hear in some sort of power electronics album due to how eerie and despairful it sounds.

 

[Mago]

"One of the first albums to challenge the classic rock format."

"Interestingly, "OK Computer" was one of the first albums to be considered almost a masterpiece, something that transcends the medium itself and makes the people rethink music as something different."

I'm not trying to be a dick but none of this is remotely true? Ok Computer came out in 1997. Rock albums that challenged the formula, rock albums considered masterpieces, these things existed since the 60s. If anything Ok Computer was closer to one of the last rock albums seen this way.

 

[Max]

Personally I don't like Radiohead, too pretentious for me, but this album is the only one of their works that I respect.

 

[ZombieFish]

"One of the first albums to challenge the classic rock format."

"Interestingly, "OK Computer" was one of the first albums to be considered almost a masterpiece, something that transcends the medium itself and makes the people rethink music as something different."

I'm not trying to be a dick but none of this is remotely true? Ok Computer came out in 1997. Rock albums that challenged the formula, rock albums considered masterpieces, these things existed since the 60s. If anything Ok Computer was closer to one of the last rock albums seen this way.

I wasn’t gonna say it, but yeah. Pet Sounds, Revolver, Dark Side of the Moon, etc. To be clear, OK Computer belongs in that class, but I’m struggling to think of an album after it that does.

Also, all art is pretense.

 

[ZombieFish]

Necro bump to share B-Sides, cause Radiohead B-Sides are the best in the game.