OK Computer Review: Back in the Blogosphere

While I consider my musical tastes varied, I realize that I have focused most of my musical time and energy on a small number of bands and a limited amount of genres. My thinking in many facets of life has often been that it is better to go deep in a small area versus going shallow in a large area. I am not sure how you would compute the volume to determine which one is a better use of time. Rather than seeking out new music, I focus on what I know, and what is familiar. I have also been guilty of dismissing music quickly, BECAUSE it was not familiar, or because it is not considered "cool". I am trying to be more open to all music, and listening with open ears. I struggle with jazz, but I try. I even listened to a Jonas Brothers disc that a student made for me last year. Their music did not speak to me.

I recently received a copy of OK Computer from Mr. Justin Cooley, who was astonished that I had not listened to it prior. I would like to make it clear that I wanted to love this album. My friends love this album. Everything about Radiohead is cool. The name is cool. They are cool British rock stars who play by their own rules, not making videos, not caring about the pop charts, selling their most recent album online (for whatever you wanted to pay for it!). They are constantly listed in Rolling Stones top albums (for example the recent Decade issue has Kid A the number one album of the aughts). For these reasons, I wanted to like it, but regardless of all that, my ears and heart do not listen to those requests. I want to like Miles Davis, but don't. You cannot pretend to like something if you don't. Well, you can, but you shouldn't. It will catch up with you.

I love it. Seriously. Can't stop listening to it. I run longer in the morning because of it. Cutter, my dog, probably hates it (we run together). A large part of my musical listening since high school has been every Pink Floyd album since Meddle. And that might give some frame of reference for why I like OK Computer. The trippy guitars, the solid beats and bass line, the indistinguishable lyrics and the catchy lines that are repeated over and over and get in my head (just now in my head I hear "I lost myself, I lost myself, I lost myself..."), and the haunting piano. I even like when the weird robot voice tells you all that stuff on the appropriately titled "Fitter Happier". I give this album 5 stars, and will list it with Nebraska, Harvest, and Dark Side of the Moon when talking about my favorite albums.

It is an album that I look forward to trying to learn some of it on guitar, but know that it won't really turn out because there is so much going on. When I started playing guitar I bought song books to learn Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd songs, and was shocked to find that there was usually more that one guitar part. Often more than two. You can tell listening to OK Computer that this is the case as well. Also, the amount of effects the band uses is noteworthy, because it really exposes the traditional parts of the music, combining for an impressive sound that is incendiary. It creates a "wall of sound" that makes the quiet parts jump out at you, for increased affect.

My favorite songs are Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Let Down, Karma Police, and No Surprises, but to be honest I could have listed all of the songs. I love the laid back beat of S.H.A with the wah effect used with the electric guitar. And the intro to No Surprises reminded me of Smashing Pumpkins, with the opening arpeggio. I can't wait to get the guitar books at 30% off from my good friend Willie "Spring Training Travel Agent" Eseltine. The last song, The Tourist, are you kidding. It makes you want to take a nap. In a good way.

Thank you Justin. What's next?

Note: It is harder to write an album review than I thought. I didn't really give any major insight to the album, but wanted to get it out there that I like it. I don't think it is for everyone, the trippy guitars might wear thin, and Thom Yorke's voice is like Neil Young's: you like it or you don't. Also, I really just wanted to get back into writing my blog and to use the word "incendiary".