Today’s album of the day is brought to you by the number 7.
I’d show them the stars and the meaning of life, they’d shut me away but I’d be all right. All right.
About a decade ago my friend Justin tried to get me into Radiohead. He made me two worthy mix CDs of their music. I remember listening but not really giving it my all. One song grabbed me and still hasn’t let go–the wonderfully rich and layered Planet Telex. I just let out a purely satisfying and positive sigh at the thought of Telex. But as things go, I pretty much pushed Radiohead aside (yes I realize the error of my ways). When their incredible “In Rainbows” came out I started paying a lot more attention. Speaking of “In Rainbows,” I am of the ilk that it is one of Radiohead’s finest albums. Many folk were not pleased with the direction the band took with that release. I say to them, “are you out of your mind?” “In Rainbows” is extraordinary. I absolutely love the turn Radiohead took with that record. It’s one of my all time favorite discs, period. Here’s another question to ponder, are there even any bad RH albums out there? I think the answer is yes. Wait, I mean no. It’s a matter of preference and flavor. I always come back to the ice cream analogy, all of it is good I just like some flavors better than others. And that is Radiohead. They have got the “good” in spades. They are one of the most prolific and sincere bands of the past 20 years. So whilst I get people not liking the taste of “In Rainbows,” I think they are silly to dismiss the new horizons the group has undertaken in the past two releases. Thank God bands like Radiohead want to keep exploring new thoughts and ideas. I wouldn’t appreciate them nor respect them as much if they kept on doing the same ol same ol. The bands that I have most loved always pushed themselves into new territories. And whether I like where an artist or band stops from time to time, none the less I like that they change the scenery. Here is my ranking of Radiohead’s 8 studio albums: At number 8 is a tie; “Amnesiac” and “Hail to the Thief.” To me these records belong together as one. And just because they are last on my list doesn’t mean there isn’t some fine material on them. We tend to overlook this pair in the world of RH. The band’s 1993 debut “Pablo Honey” makes my 6 slot. At their rawest, “Pablo Honey” is its own kind of gem. Next up for me is really another tie, but I will make the tough choice and put “The Bends” at 5. I feel like I have given that disc the cold shoulder by putting it in that ranking, however in this moment, I’m picking “King of Limbs” as number 4. I know what you are thinking, “King of Limbs,” that high? Yes. Do not underestimate the short but oh so sweet offering that is that album. Now we have come to that part of the show that everyone has been waiting for, my top 3 Radiohead records. I realize that many feel my number 3 is Radiohead’s best among the best, “Kid A.” Hey, I really love “Kid A,” too. But If I am honest with myself, then I put “In Rainbows” above “Kid A” at number 2. You have obviously figured it out now which record makes the top of my list. Even if you prefer chocolate over vanilla, you can’t deny the tour de force that is “Ok Computer.”
1997 saw the release of Radiohead’s third studio album, the highly regarded and critically acclaimed “Ok Computer.” Author of the book “Welcome to the Machine: OK Computer and the Death of the Classic Album,” Tim Footman writes, “Not since 1967, with the release of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ had so many major critics agreed immediately, not only on an album’s merits, but on its long-term significance, and its ability to encapsulate a particular point in history.” ^ Sidebar, remember that quote tomorrow. Everyone who is anyone raves about this record; fellow musicians, critics, scholars and dentists, four of five, incidentally, recommend “Ok Computer” along with flossing and brushing. I can’t overstate how much this record has influenced and impacted people. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it as the third best album of the 1990s and 162 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It deserves all of the praise and thrown flowers at it that it gets. This some good ass shit here.
Creating an atmospheric pallet of sound, lyrical imagery of themes like alienation, globalization, technological isolation and even death, and providing a continuing fluidity throughout the record, gives “Ok Computer” its lush feel and texture while still serving the sunny afternoon’s melancholy tea. This album has depth of observation and musical motifs that conjure up everyone from Miles Davis and the Beatles to Pink Floyd, DJ Shadow and Nirvana.
In the next world war, In a jackknifed juggernaut, I am born again.
The first track, one of my favs, is Airbag. From the opening fuzzy guitar intro and then the start of the verse, the bar has been set high for the rest of the record. Really. Airbag is the perfect beginning to the next 53 minutes of “Ok Computer.” I also I love how the bass line doesn’t really enter until the 12th measure of the song. The bass plays hide and seek throughout this one. Without taking a breath, Paranoid Android arrives at the station; “Ambition makes you look pretty ugly.” Without sticking with the track order of the CD, let me next mention Let Down. There is something bright and jangly about this one. Some of the album’s darker tunes, Lucky, Climbing Up The Walls and the almost haunting Exit Music (For A Film), compliment a song like Let Down or No Surprises. Speaking of, No Surprises may be the most simplistic song on the record, but check out some of these great Thom Yorke lyrics:
“A heart that’s full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won’t heal
You look so tired unhappy
Bring down the government
They don’t, they don’t speak for us
I’ll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
And no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent…” ^^
On the subject of lyrics, a modern-day, techno revolution, spoken word concoction, Fitter Happier, actually best captures the overall statement of the record poetically:
“more productive
comfortable
not drinking too much
regular exercise at the gym (3 days a week)
getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries
at ease
eating well (no more microwave dinners and saturated fats)
a patient better driver
a safer car (baby smiling in back seat)
sleeping well (no bad dreams)
no paranoia
careful to all animals (never washing spiders down the plughole)
keep in contact with old friends (enjoy a drink now and then)
will frequently check credit at (moral) bank (hole in wall)
favours for favours
fond but not in love
charity standing orders
on sundays ring road supermarket
(no killing moths or putting boiling water on the ants)
car wash (also on sundays)
no longer afraid of the dark
or midday shadows
nothing so ridiculously teenage and desperate
nothing so childish
at a better pace
slower and more calculated
no chance of escape
now self-employed
concerned (but powerless)
an empowered and informed member of society (pragmatism not idealism)
will not cry in public
less chance of illness
tires that grip in the wet (shot of baby strapped in back seat)
a good memory
still cries at a good film
still kisses with saliva
no longer empty and frantic
like a cat
tied to a stick
that’s driven into
frozen winter shit (the ability to laugh at weakness)
calm
fitter, healthier and more productive
a pig
in a cage
on antibiotics.” ^^
Spend a few minutes with those words why don’t ya. The most driving piece of the pie comes on the heels of Fitter Happier, and is the delicious Electioneering. That’s the Radiohead you remember from their first two vinyls. For those of you who are “OK Computer” aficionados, I haven’t forgotten about Karma Police. Of all of the, for lack of a better word, popular Radiohead tunes, I am not so into this one. Still, it fits like a glove along with the mellow, the store soon we be closing, last exit, The Tourist; It bookends Airbag nicely.
The breath of the morning, I keep forgetting the smell of the warm summer air.
I purposely saved the gorgeous Subterranean Homesick Alien to speak of last because I fucking LOVE this song. Everything about it is divine. As soon as I hear the first notes of this song, I am excited for the grand entrance; the downbeat of the fifth measure is worth the price of admission alone. A slow, yet shuffling, bubbly, slow boil, dripping sweet nectar in a 6/8 time signature, is how Subterranean establishes itself. From here, outer-worldly texts and tones adorn us. My ears love the sound of the song so much that its like a soft pillow for a weary head. Along with Planet Telex, which I mentioned at the very beginning of this AOTD, Subterranean Homesick Alien is my go to Radiohead song. And if I had a gun pointed to my head, I may give it the edge over Telex and make it my all time fav Radiohead tune.
Here’s a little interesting piece of breaking news from earlier today to throw into our broadcast: As I was listening to the Special Collector’s Edition of “OK Computer” on my phone today, I dosed off. Let me assure you that I did hear the whole album later today. That has always been my rule of AOTD, I must listen to the album in its entirety on the day I feature it. I am happy to say that I have held to that standard all year. Anyway, as the second disc was playing, I awoke to a song I had never heard before called Lull. I liked it instantly and think it was no coincidence that I would wake up to it; the tune was so great it forced me conscious. It’s only a couple of minutes in length, but those minutes are musically glorious. I have been so taken by it, that it may have already landed a place on my top ten RH songs. Since this is my second to last day of my blog, I shall share them for you, after all I can do whatever the fluck I want! In no particular order, these are my Radiohead idols:
The National Anthem
Morning Mr. Magpie
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Blow Out
Airbag
Bodysnatchers
House of Cards
Subterranean Homesick Alien
Planet Telex
Separator
Okay, I guess Lull didn’t make it, but it’s near by smoking a cigarette and drinking a diet coke along with 15 Step, Everything In Its Right Place and Black Star. Yes Virginia, there are many more RH songs that I dig on. In fact, this band has become one of my all time favorites. And on a day like today they reach the highest spot on that list outside of my Mount Rushmore of bands, number 5. Although considering the “7” theme that has been happening these last few days, they could have been there. Ha.
I finally had a chance to see Radiohead live in 2012 with a couple of good people including Justin. I may have discovered RH on my own, but credit must go to Justin for planting the Radiohead seed and watering it once in awhile. However I came to this group, I am grateful as hell that I did and allowed myself to experience the music of truly wonderful artists. Thanks J-Man.
^http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_Computer#CITEREFFootman2007
^^All songs written and composed by Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway. Lyrics by Thom Yorke.
365, Album of the Day 2014 