Sunday, 12 April 2009

Radiohead - OK Computer (Review: Roshan)

I’ve head a lot about Radiohead and just like Dan I had high expectations for this album, I’ve listen to this album a lot since it was posted so it’s had plenty of time to grow on me.

First off, the production on this album is amazing, I’ve been listening to the original 1997 release not the 2009 reissue, which I’m sure sounds ever better. I was extremely surprised by how good it sounds, considering how long ago it was released.

Like a good movie, Radiohead’s Ok Computer lets you know what it sets out to do in the open few minutes of Airbag. The first sounds, a fusion of real and “fake” instruments, breaking into minimalist bass lines and an enviable singing voice showcase instantly, the sheer amount of talent coming from this band. If there’s one thing I like, its talent.

This album continues to surprise me, in many ways. None of it sounds the same, each track is individual, using different instrumentation and set up each time. Throughout each song I could recognise something about it that was reminiscent of today’s brit-pop music, its clear that Radiohead have influenced many of the most successful British artists. There is even, what appears to be, the beginnings of post-rock in “Let Down”. Another way in which it surprised me is in the song “Electioneering” at about 1.52 I’m positive I can hear my mother calling me in an annoyed tone, I have been known to drop things it startles me so much. Still, I’m not going to mark them down for that.

This album was hard to review, because there is no, one generic statement I can possibly state about the entire album. It’s clear why this is rated one of the greatest albums of the 20th Century, and although at first I was sceptical I allowed the album to grow on me. It overarching sounds and brilliant use of strings along with the majestic singing made this album, and even each song a miniature masterpiece.

However, this album while technically brilliant is lacking a certain something, something that Animal Collectives Merriweather Post Pavilion had and this album is lacking. It’s personal feeling that I can’t describe, but I can name about 5 albums in my entire collection that have it, spanning many genres. It doesn’t have name yet, but I’ll think of something.

My Highlights: Airbag / Let Down / No Surprises

Score: 4/5


Posted by roshan111 at 4/12/2009 01:52:00 pm
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14 comments:

  1. Mr. C Citizen12 April 2009 at 14:48

    Are Radiohead not too mainstream for you then?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mr.C Citizen12 April 2009 at 15:03

    Whoever posted that needs to know that I don't take to kindly to impersonators. So whoever posted that comment needs to change their alias before I call someone to track your IP address.

    ReplyDelete
  3. roshan11112 April 2009 at 16:21

    The first poster was Alexplatt. ^^ Mainstream Metal is what I hate.

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  4. Matt12 April 2009 at 16:21

    Shut the fuck up you anonymous bastard.

    Nice review.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mrs C Citizen12 April 2009 at 16:32

    I love Radiohead.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mr.C Citizen12 April 2009 at 20:56

    Ok now your just taking the piss but at least you changed it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. roshan11112 April 2009 at 23:19

    This is all very, very off topic.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mr.C Citizen13 April 2009 at 08:03

    Nice review but I'm not carried by this album like others would. I'd say some are good songs for me to listen to once but I wouldn't actively go out of my way to listen to it.

    Why is the text different? Did you forget to change the font when you copied it off a word process or did you just want to try something new?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Matt13 April 2009 at 10:27

    You're very intrusive.

    ReplyDelete
  10. roshan11113 April 2009 at 16:38

    I'm not sure if you noticed, all my reviews are justified to the edge, I normally change the font after copying from word, but I preferred the Calibri font.

    ReplyDelete
  11. alexplatt13 April 2009 at 17:37

    'The first poster was Alexplatt. ^^ '

    Roshan asif you're accusing me of that.

    Also, seriously, who are you?

    ReplyDelete
  12. alexplatt13 April 2009 at 23:51

    Also, I didn't quite undersatand the brit-pop reference. As far as I'm concerned, this album was released towards the end of the brit-pop movement as opposed to before it.

    Good review though.

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  13. roshan11114 April 2009 at 08:34

    I've probably used completely the wrong term, what I'm trying to say is without this album a lot of current British UK alternative rock artists wouldn't exist or even sound the same as they do now.

    Throughout the whole album I can hear similarities between it and other modern British alternative acts.

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  14. Matt14 April 2009 at 10:39

    Thom Yorke once said that one of the reasons wanted the band's sound to chance on Kid A was because he didn't like the kind of music the bands that claimed to be influenced by Radiohead were making. So arrogant.

    ReplyDelete

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