Radiohead - OK Computer

[CaptainDavey]

I just started to get into Radiohead and I have read in Q Magazine that apparently this is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's quite a good album and I can see the parallels between Radiohead and Muse. Airbag, Paranoid Android, No Surprises, Lucky and Karma Police are all fantastic songs. Does anyone recommend any of their other stuff? Apparently In Rainbows is supposed to be very good, as is The Bends...Worth a download?

 

[Papa G]

Where have you been hiding?

This board is littered between those who go along with NME's or Q's twaddle that it's the greatest album of all time and those that think Radiohead are the most over rated, boring, self indulgent poor excuse for a band that there ever was.

So depending on which camp you sit in the answer is yes download anything you can "it's just brilliant" or don't waste your time and start listening to some real music.

 

[CaptainDavey]

To say it's the greatest album of all time is a bit rich, I understand that but it's still a quality album I reckon...But then again I'm a Radiohead newbie, forgive me for that. Think I'll sit on the fence for now

 

[Mint Condition]

Well if you like OK Computer you'll like the Bends.

Kid A is their other really highly regarded album, and I like it, but it's very different from OK Computer.

And yeah In Rainbows is good too. I haven't listened to any of the others apart from a handful of songs but I don't think any of their albums are considered to be bad. They're probably all worth checking out.

 

[Heisenberg_]

The Bends, OK Computer, In Rainbows are brilliant, Get into these three first and Pablo Hoey as well, then go to the other stuff, which I personally don't rate that much at all

 

[CaptainDavey]

I went onto youtube and listened to Creep and that's a whole lot different from what's on OK Computer but currently I'm d/ling The Bends. The more and more I listen to OK Computer though, the more I love it...Airbag is just awesome! The old school rockiness to Electioneering is fantastic as well

 

[Braddock]

If you're new to Radiohead definitely download The Bends. It's by far their most accessible album and there's no real weak tracks. Highlights for me are Street Spirit, Fake Plastic Trees and The Bends.

After that I'd for for Hail to the Thief or In Rainbows. HTTT, while probably not to the same standard as most other Radiohead albums, has some killer tracks like Wolf at the Door, There There and Where I End and You Begin.

If you get through all those and still like what you hear go for Kid A. It's brilliant, but a lot harder to get into due to how experimental it is. Same goes for Amnesiac which is kinda the leftovers of Kid A.

Oh yeah, and don't skip over their B Sides because up until recently they were amongst their best songs. A Reminder, Cuttooth, India Rubber, Kinetic, Lull, Polyethylene, Worrywort and Stupid Car are all brilliant.

I'll embed a song from each to give you an idea of the differences. Don't give up them if you don't liek it straight away. Radiohead have this uncanny ability to grow on you very very quickly.

Pablo Honey (1993) - Creep

[YOUTUBE]nxpblnsJEWM[/YOUTUBE]

The Bends (1995) - High & Dry

[YOUTUBE]NCPDiEz-GcE[/YOUTUBE]

OK Computer (1997) - Karma Police

[YOUTUBE]5LeLAELIxKY[/YOUTUBE]

Kid A (2000) - Morning Bell

[YOUTUBE]t2tnNMrdnsk[/YOUTUBE]

Amnesiac (2001) - Pyramid Song

[YOUTUBE]cqP0WNpojFM[/YOUTUBE]

Hail to the Thief (2003) - Wolf at the Door

[YOUTUBE]dvBPCm25z4I[/YOUTUBE]

In Rainbows (2007) - Jigsaw Falling Into Place

[YOUTUBE]UKrsBVFsfIQ[/YOUTUBE]

 

[CaptainDavey]

Whoa, thanks a bunch Braddock, really appreciate your input. I can tell you're a bit of a die hard, good on you

I just got The Bends hot off the press and the opening track is great, Planet Telex. From what I can tell so far everyone seems to be recommending most of, if not all their stuff, so I'll give The Bends a thorough listen and then I'll head onto In Rainbows, or Kid A.

Also, I watched the film clip for No Surprises, kinda creepy with all the water and stuff. That's a great song too...Good juxtaposition between very pleasant, uplifting music and sad, desperate lyrics

 

[Braddock]

Not a problem mate.

 

[Heisenberg_]

My Iron Lung FTW
[youtube]mOEFaxFhnzc[/youtube]

 

[SunKing]

Outside of The Beatles absolute best Ok Computer is as good as rock gets IMO. I know what you mean about first listen though as I was the same but then on repeated listens I began to see what the fuss was about and see it for the pure work of genius that it is. The opening track Airbag is my personal favorite.

The Bends is next in line. Kid A is very different,more electronic but still brilliant.

 

[CaptainDavey]

Cheers, Coughlan, just heard that one then on iTunes. Is it mostly Thom York writing the material? Similarly to Noel Gallagher writing the vast majority of Oasis' music...Or does he collaborate with Colin Greenwood on the music?

 

[lemon chicken]

Ahhh the memories. Saw the tour of this albumn back in the day at Festival Hall, still have the t-shirt in the back of my wardrobe. For me this was their best effort, some people I know rate The Bends higher but. Out of the rest I really loved Hail to Theif, probably my second favourite behind OK Computer, but all depends on what you like about them.

 

[Roos4eva]

Why does no one rate Amnesiac that highly? I realise it's basically a second disc to Kid A, but for me, it has some of their best songs. Pyramid Song, You And Whose Army?, Knives Out, I Might Be Wrong and Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box are all brilliant.

I love all their albums bar Pablo Honey (except You, Creep and Ripcord) but Amnesiac is definately worth checking out.

 

[SunKing]

Amnesiac does have some killer tracks including one of their very best Pyramid Song ..but I guess it's not as cohesive as the others and feels less like an album & more like a collection of unconnected ideas. Sort of like Magical Mystery Tour which is also underrated.

 

[bunsen burner]

I just started to get into Radiohead and I have read in Q Magazine that apparently this is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's quite a good album and I can see the parallels between Radiohead and Muse. Airbag, Paranoid Android, No Surprises, Lucky and Karma Police are all fantastic songs. Does anyone recommend any of their other stuff? Apparently In Rainbows is supposed to be very good, as is The Bends...Worth a download?

There's your problem right there.

Q Magazine is more for people who think music is about cool rather than sound. Music isn't fashion.

 

[wally funk]

for anyone new to radiohead, i'd say to them, listen to the bends, ok computer and kid a (in that order). not neccessarily because it's chronological, but because it's a natural flow to what is (in my opinion) radiohead's peak. the so-called experimental sound of kid a gives me a buzz no other radiohead album can.

 

[beaumont911]

I only just got in to Radiohead.

Only got OK Computer and In Rainbows, but both albums are amazing.

I must get the rest.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

I'm one of those people that actually believe 'The Bends' is better than OK Computer. I just feel that there is more standout tracks on there & that the accessibility factor helps as well.

 

[finrod]

I actually think In Rainbows is their best album to date.... But my favourite recording is actually the "My Iron Lung" EP.... every track is decent and different from the last. Just one thing, if you are considering getting Pablo Honey, then make it a low priority - IMO it is easily their worst album... it is still not bad and there are a couple of great tracks (Creep, Lurgee, Blowout, You) but most of the rest seem sub-standard compared to anything released afterwards.

 

[wally funk]

yeah, the my iron lung ep is bloody brilliant!