Why is Radiohead's Album OK COMPUTER so GOOD?
- Ticket Broker Center
- Sep 9, 2019
- 2 min read
OK Computer is the third studio album by English rock band Radiohead, released on 16 June 1997 on EMI subsidiaries Parlophone and Capitol Records. The members of Radiohead self-produced the album with Nigel Godrich, an arrangement they have used for their subsequent albums. Other than the song "Lucky", recorded in 1995, Radiohead recorded OK Computer in Oxfordshire and Bath between 1996 and early 1997, mostly in the historic mansion St Catherine's Court. The band distanced themselves from the guitar-centred, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, The Bends. OK Computer's abstract lyrics, densely layered sound and eclectic influences laid the groundwork for Radiohead's later, more experimental work.
Despite lowered sales estimates by EMI, who deemed the record uncommercial and difficult to market, OK Computer reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and debuted at number 21 on the Billboard 200, Radiohead's highest album entry on the US charts at the time. The songs "Paranoid Android", "Karma Police", "Lucky", "No Surprises", and "Airbag" were released as singles. The album expanded Radiohead's international popularity and has sold at least 7.8 million units worldwide. A remastered version with additional tracks, OKNOTOK 1997 2017, was released in June 2017, marking the album's twentieth anniversary. In 2019, in response to an internet leak, Radiohead released MiniDiscs [Hacked], comprising hours of additional OK Computer material.
Watch this next Video Review for more details:
Pitchfork Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The record is brimming with genuine emotion, beautiful and complex imagery and music, and lyrics that are at once passive and fire-breathing. OK Computer is like tossing David Bowie, old U2, Spacehog and lots of Pink Floyd into a blender and pushing the 'kill' button. Full Review
AllMusic Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
OK Computer is the album that establishes Radiohead as one of the most inventive and rewarding guitar rock bands of the '90s. Full Review
Sputnikmusic Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Their finest moment, and one that demonstrated their brilliance both musically, lyrically, and at creating feelings. Full Review
Tiny Mix Tapes Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This landmark masterpiece set a new standard for rock musicians that has yet to be challenged. It's beautiful, mysterious, scary, and thought-provoking; a record that will indefinitely be a future classic.
A.V. Club Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
It really is the perfect synthesis of Radiohead’s seemingly conflicted impulses. Full Review
NME Score: 100 / ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Here are 12 tracks crammed with towering lyrical ambition and musical exploration; that refuse to retread the successful formulas of before and instead opt for innovation and surprise. Full Review
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