OK Computer

Most overrated album of all time

Claustrophobic, paranoid, oblique and dystopian, a big fuck you to Britpop. In 1997 this sounded like the future to my tiny little 13 year old mind. I always was a pretentious little git.

It was not easy following up the guitar-centered, abstract, emotional, and cryptic masterpiece "The Bends", which was in its own right a level above the more repetitive grunge sound on what is widely considered to be Radiohead's worst record, "Pablo Honey". In my opinion, OK Computer is the album that has aged the best from any piece of music published in the 90's. The lyrics are extremely relevant, Thom Yorke's tenor is iconic, and it touches upon themes of media-obsession, paranoia and dystopian technology in a beautifully coherent way. I believe that when it was released it set a new gold standard for progressive/art rock that has only been met by a very select few projects these 2 decades. Overall score a perfect 5/5.

OK Computer is one of those rare albums that actually deserves the praise lavished on it. Where to even start? How about the astonishingly layered arrangement of Airbag, the opening tune? Yes, it's guitar based, but there's snatches of electronica, electronic percussion alongside live drums, a cello, and I could go on and on. You could listen to this track a dozen times and hear something new every time. Compositionally, these songs are as strong as they get, which explains why they've been covered by the likes of Brad Melhdau. Take Paranoid Android, a multipart suite with odd meter changes, but which nonetheless rocks like a mother. And unlike many other bands, Radiohead doesn't get any less interesting when they slow down and do a ballad like the gorgeous No Surprises. On OK Computer, Radiohead makes most bands sound like hacks or toddlers, and that goes for most of the bands that have followed in their footsteps. If I had been in a rock band at the time, it probably would have made me throw up my hands in despair. An easy 5 out of 5.

Bin

Aren't there more Bob Dylan albums you could have put here?

In which the jangly tunings and wool-gathering lyricism of 90s indie are retrofitted to the studio gimcrackery and stadium heroics of U2 and injected with turn-of-the-century received fatalism. Is it commercially calculated? No doubt. Does it also aspire to art rock? Just as little doubt. Are the two compatible? You betcha. Do they pull it off? Commercially: er, duh. But an art rock masterpiece? Hm. ‘Fitter Happier’ might be as high-concept as they get. In which case, answer’s no. The aesthetic's there, but it's all tell-don’t-show and heavy-handed emotional manipulation. That's pretty much my biggest problem with Radiohead. You’re given no other option but to feel down. I suppose I blame Thom Yorke, who has the emotional range of a mood ring. In a lot of ways, he’s the sandbag stopping this hot air balloon from taking off—or from taking off higher than it does. Because there’s no doubting that much of what’s here is dense, layered, and precise, screened by a veneer of uncertainty. There are thrash-outs, bass ‘n’ guitar counterpoints, clattering drums, seismic reverberations, and exceptionally difficult acoustic/electric combos. They rarely miss a cue to move a song to the next act, either. All of which leaves me feeling the same way I have about for the last decade. Amazing musicians, big ideas, lame lyrics, lousy singer. Where's the lift? Why are they ina constant state of deflation? Why do so many people get a kick out of lethargy?

This would be my soundtrack if I decided to ever slit my wrists. So whiny. Was listening on a bright beautiful day riding in Monterey and it really bummed me out. Billie Eilishesque

Fitter happier 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 the 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 Tyres 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

It is impressive how Thom Yorke managed to out-depress the entirety of grunge. Honestly, I didn't even like this album much the first time I listened to it. Strange, despite it being a perfect mix of things I like: alternative rock veneer over progressive/artsy songwriting, disaffected lyrics, and dripping with pretentiousness. I came back to it after a few months and it completely clicked for me, and now I think it is an essential album to its core.

I had listened to The Bends twice beforehand to really understand the transition, and damn there is such a huge gap. I listened to OK Computer three times yesterday. First was blind run, and immediately I noticed the differences, but I wasn't able to pick out the songs apart from some really cool parts. I also couldn't understand most of the lyrics. Second listen I followed the lyrics and music videos, reading what people thought of each song. Third was taking all this into account, now that I could anticipate each song. And yeah it was worth it, because this song has to be one of the most interesting albums I had ever listened to. I could relisten to it again and again and not get tired of it, which I definitely couldn't say about The Bends. After all this careful consideration, I completely agree with the critics, this is by far one of the best albums I had ever listened to and probably will ever listen to in my life. The more I listen, the more I appreciate each song. Each song is carefully crafted and relies on heavy ingenuity and inspiration from what legends such as the Brian Wilson, REM, and the Pixies had done in prior decades to take rock 10 steps further. The imagery was necessary for me to understand the themes and subject of these songs, due to their abstract lyrics and atmospheric sound. There is something to be said about every song. "Airbag" was a perfect start to set the expectations for the album, and the distortion of the drums and bass at the end made me realize this was an album of carefully crafted experimentation. "Paranoid Android" is an absolute masterpiece, and balls of Radiohead to make the 6.5 minute song their lead single. "Subterranean Homesick Alien" was the song that struck out to me the most my first listen due to the aquatic noises and easy-to-follow story about envisioning a flight with aliens. Certainly one of the most atmospheric songs. I could go on, but that won't be necessary. "Karma Police" and "No Surprises" are my other two favorites. This album comes at a time when they outcompeted a crowd of spectators, inspiring many of those spectators to stand up and model their work after Radiohead.

You're very brave to be recommending this album to me, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die; Did you know that? I suppose you have to list the obvious albums, but little did I know we'd be here. For the uninitiated, almost everything we owe alternative rock in the 21st century can be traced back to this album along with a good chunk of Radiohead's discography as a whole. They are simply too important not to have on this list. It's so glaringly unlike anything else before it, with it's songwriting and production and little flairs that make it memorable. The pacing is perfect, making for an effortless listen. It is Radiohead's magnum opus, and they've still got a few albums in the pipe that come really close. I find it hard to talk about individual songs because it's all so great, but I'll attempt: Paranoid Android is this fantastic piece of art rock with multiple movements to tell a larger story and give us a truly wired experience for the rest of the album. Karma Police is the climatic down-beat song right before the interlude that gets us a little moody. See what I meant about pacing earlier? This is followed by a back half that goes through a different set of experiences and it ends on such a wonderful strong note. Yeah, this album is good :)

First 2 songs are super cool. I love the distorted drums and bass in Airbag. Rest of the album was very interesting and even in the slower, more depressing songs I could always enjoy something about it. Quite a neat spacey style.

Meh. Too whiney for my taste.

I was watching a BBC4 documentary about duck rustling in the 13th century at the weekend and it blew my mind. This album has a similar effect. The unreachable ambition shown by both Radiohead is reminiscent of the infamous duck rustlers and really comes to the fore on 'Fitter Happier'. A loveable, adventurous romp, with charming pond dwelling creatures. I was on the edge of my seat throughout.

Still not really there for me. This is a band I've long wanted to really get into. On paper, as it were, they seem like the kind of artists I'd love. Hasn't happened yet. This album clicked with me a little better than the other one that came up on my rotation in this album generator, but I honestly can't remember much, if anything, about that other one. There are some really interesting moments on this album. I actually might come back to it -- might come back to their other works, too -- and give some more concentrated listening time to them.

Wow, I feel like ill probably be alone in my opinion on this one. So I never listened to Radiohead before, but hear how important they are. I don't get it? Probably important at the time, but just kinda generic to me and another sad boy sounding like a sad boy not my thing. I will continue not listening to them moving forward. Giving 2 stars because I know they were influencers (at least thats what I am told)

The 1001 Albums Challenge - Day 98 Radiohead - OK Computer The most overrated, overhyped album of all time. I tried once again today, and nothing has changed.  Here's the link to a YouTube reviewer who says exactly what I think, but he says it better.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuqV5GvEZpk

Most overrated band of the last 30 years

You can take the whiteboy out of the Radiohead, but you can’t take the Radiohead out of the whiteboy

I'm going to say this is the most important album of the 90s. I honestly don't have the energy to articulate beyond this, but every song is a masterpiece of art-rock-pop. Either this or In Rainbows is my favorite album of all time. It's another great of example of an album made in reaction to the time and place that they existed and we're all still living in. Shoutout to Godrich's masterful engineering as well, the original 1997 release sounds so freakin' good to this day.

Classic after classic on this album, and enough b-sides and bonus tracks to make another great album. The albums themes are still incredibly relevant today, which is a shame, but works in its favour.

For et album! Føler at dette er 90-tallets svar på Dark Side of the Moon. Hver eneste sang er en banger og glir godt over i den neste. Beste sanger: Subterranean Homesick Alien, Exit Music og No Surprises.

I couldn't get further than Paranoid Android. I hate this. Don't like the whiney voice. Miserable rubbish.

I was 10 when this album came out. I have very vivid memories of seeing clips of the Karma Police music video on MTV, but OK Computer was not coming anywhere near my 6-CD changer boombox. This particular prompt gave me a bit of anxiety because I feel like I'm supposed to like Radiohead but I was nervous that I would not have my mind blown by this album. And truth is, I didn't. I really wanted to enjoy OK Computer, but it had an alt rock moodiness that's just really not for Kelseys. It was reminiscent of Tool or Muse - bands that I acknowledge are musically talented but aren't doing anything that I personally enjoy. I will confess that I have a very low attention span for lyrics and need to be grabbed sonically before I can get into any deeper meaning behind the music - especially when lyrics are caged in metaphor and/or not clearly enunciated. For that reason (in addition to the knowledge that this album means a lot to many people who's opinion I respect), I'd be willing to give it another shot and spend more time trying to understand what makes it truly great. But as of now, it's not going on repeat for me.

What's the big deal here? It's alright, reasonably listenable rock music. A singer who is by turns affecting and irritating, and some really crap production choices, are the standouts here. Decent drummer, too

In an almost, but not quite passable attempt at an album, Radiohead once again threatens us repeatedly with the potential for a good time, but with every song, they never deliver.

The greatest album of the 90s. This album not only represented a huge leap forward for Radiohead, but a huge leap forward for popular music in general. OK Computer saw Radiohead incorporating electronic sounds and effects while talking about themes of alienation and the rise of technology. The songs are incredibly well crafted and show such intentionality that it's hard to believe that Radiohead would continue to evolve beyond this album. It's as close to a perfect album as you can get.

Really good, one of the greatest of all time

I fucking hate radiohead. This isn't as bad as a couple of their other albums but it's still a 2/5.

I don't get it. The vocals are moany, and hard to understand. Didn't like Radiohead then, still don't like them now.

Perfect.

A prophetic, innovative record that has stood the test of time 24 years later. The lyrics captures modern America's addiction to technology, consumerism, media consumption, and political scandals to a T. Between the bands variety of tones in their instruments, shocking reverb to barebones, the influx of strings, and the poignantly placed electro-techno samples, there is a ton of sounds to absorb from this record. This is bold, true Radiohead. You could listen to it 100 times and still discover something new, it never goes stale. It may be a little passé to hold this record in such high esteem on the internet, but it truly is one of the greatest to ever be made. I think it will only age better with time. Favorite Song: Paranoid Android Least Favorite: Climbing Up the Wall

Great Computer

🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️

Tried it. Didn’t like it.

This is a very special album to me. I can remember hearing Paranoid Android for the first time on the radio. I had to pull my car over because I couldn't concentrate on driving while it was playing. The first half is slightly stronger than the second, but every track is a winner. The track placement takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions, speaking of which Exit music from a movie is one of the most emotional, dark, angsty songs I have ever heard. Its beautiful and scary all at once. It's tricky to name a favourite song because I love them all so much. Exit Music Paranoid Android Lucky I'm so glad this dropped for the weekend! I love this band soooo much!

This album changed my perspective on music.

This album sucks

Hard to write fairly with my teammate cracking his knuckles and carving pentagrams into his half of our desk; I’ll try. This album is a sterling encapsulation of why Generation X - my generation - will shortly replace the Boomers as the most loathed demographic in the richer bits of the world. It’s a sumptuous, decadent, no-expense-spared monument to self-pitying apathy. When I’m honest, I count “Airbag”’s riff as one of the most exciting openings to any rock record of the decade, before it moves on to arch self-sabotage and soaring solipsism. “Paranoid Android” is a memorably annoying song with an ‘80’s teenager’s idea of a clever title. The loud part would be fantastic if it wasn’t so focussed on drawing attention to its own ridiculousness - why mock having fun when you can actually have fun? The song is representative of the whole. Thom Yorke is a tremendously successful clunker lyricist, the load-bearer of Radiohead’s reputation for pretentiousness. Adherents call his lyrics cryptic as if this alone was praise, but there’s no mystery, nothing to hover over, just sad vibes in a stream of unanchored concrete nouns, sulky statements, and unhappy declarations that are too timid to call out anything or anyone specific. Exquisite parts abound; I enjoy how Greenwood plays guitar, and his knack for stitching together disparate passages into a heaving, turbulent whole may never have been better demonstrated. The production is gigantic, which means we hear an assemblage rather than a band. The producer Godrich went on to work with Pavement on my least favourite of their records, which invites a comparison: whereas Pavement’s irony - in words and music - has a wistful, loving motive, Radiohead’s it at the service of a grandiose strop. This is still the most enjoyable of their records. Onto you, Simon: make ‘em cry,

I remember my mate Peter commenting, in reference to OK Computer, that it hadn't taken long for grunge to turn into Pink Floyd. True that. I did love this record when it came out. I played it obsessively for a year or more. It was a smart, inventive art-rock album with great tunes, some stellar guitar playing and a paranoid, anxious outlook that seemed to sum up the times. Things have only gotten weirder since, which makes it seem prescient. I haven't listened closely all the way through in many years. I find the prog leanings (overly complex arrangements, lofty themes, borderline clever clogging) slightly unsettling, and am surprised that I connected to it so strongly, as I usually prefer my rock and roll much more straightforward. But the band can tear it up when they want to, and I mourn that they have steadfastly refused to ever since. I have seen OK Computer referred to as the last great innovative British rock album, and I think there is some truth to that. Even Radiohead couldn't live up to its reputation. The combination of gruelling touring and trying to meet the expectations arising from the critical adoration went them into a retreat into increasingly cerebral electronic music, which frankly bores me to tears. Other bands stepped into the vacuum created by this retreat (Coldplay, Travis, Muse, et alia), but none of them could hold a candle to this. When I look at the state of rock music these days, I see very few vital and important acts. I fear it is an increasingly irrelevant genre, and maybe OK Computer was the swan song for a once culturally dominant part of culture: the last really important rock album. Certainly this 1001 albums project has failed to suggest any rock album that is this important. Maybe the White Stripes, but their albums are more like a summation of the past to than a way forward. Radiohead were clearly influenced by rock history, but we're trying to move into something new, even if it turned out to be a dead end. Side note: when is Fitter Happier on this record? It is boring filler and annoying everytime I hear it. I listened to the OKNOTOK extended version of the album, and they were clearly on a creative run at the time. They had _lots_ of songs in the can that were far better than this, if they felt the need for extra running time (which they probably didn't. I prefer a concise record). No excuses for this time waste. OK Computer is a great and important record, even if not perfect (I would argue that The Bends is possibly a better album). Five stars

This is #day211 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this is what you get when you mess with... a random album generator. My second Radiohead album on the list, the first being Amnesiac on #day4, which feels like forever ago. OK Computer has been talked about endlessly... haters gonna hate, while radioheads gonna... head? Count me in the latter camp. I truly believe it's one of the greatest albums ever created. When I say "album," I mean a cohesive, immersive body of work that takes you from the very first note to the final chord. It's not just about standouts like "Paranoid Android" and "Karma Police" or deep cuts like "Climbing Up The Walls," but how it all comes together in terms of music and production, lyrics and concept. There's so much to decipher here: alternative rock, hip-hop, jazz, and sampling influences, all seamlessly woven together. Jonny Greenwood's guitar work is front and center, and the result is a dense, multi-dimensional sound that showcases the band's technical brilliance and creativity. Then there's the atmosphere... anxiety, paranoia, and a sense of doom pervade the entire album, perfectly capturing the essence of the new millennium. If Black Mirror were a music album, it would be this one. It's been a while since I last listened to OK Computer, but every time I return to it, wow, what a journey. It's also home to one of my all-time favorite Radiohead songs, "Let Down." It gives me goosebumps every single time. Honestly, this album is a masterpiece, and it absolutely deserves a solid 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day212.

I feel like liking this album is a bit of a meme at this point but it really is just that good. Deserves all of the praise.

let down is one of my favorite songs ever. so in love w this album

This was a struggle for me. I absolutely hate Radiohead in general. I've never understood what so many enjoy in the mess of whiny and jangly noise. I was actually suprised that I almost liked the first two tracks, but then the depression kicked in. Background music that's not great, but not bad enough to get up and change.

In the middle of this one I dozed off and dreamt I was listening to REM. Overrated and pretentious. Maybe both of them.

Mannnnn I want so badly to understand why so many people say this is one of the greatest albums ever. There are some really beautiful sounds here. That part in Paranoid Android really kicked my ass the first time I heard it. Karma Police is a classic. But something about Thom Yorke's voice bums me out a little bit, it just feels so drab most of the time. I will say that I've enjoyed the album more every time I've heard it (4 times). Despite that, it still just feels like a great album, not an essential one. Maybe you had to be there.

Music for people who feel like androids, who seek salvation in airbags and rain, who cry themselves to sleep and awake, who are deluded enough to actually believe their existence and consciousness are nothing more than the sum of complex chemical reactions, who resolve again and again to get off their asses and make something of their lives yet never do. Never fear! Radiohead is hear to sing your woes for you, so that you don't have to think of some way to express yourself yourself. I'm just gonna hold myself and let Radiohead tell me how I feel about myself.

I was dreading the day this album gets to me. And it’s pretentious and overrated thing. Not bad, but defined not as good as some people make it out to be

Maybe I'm just too old, but I've never understood why these guys are so revered.

There have been plenty of artists over the years where I didn't love them at first, or the vocals annoyed me, but then they became an acquired taste and I learned to love them. I have tried and tried and tried to make that happen with Radiohead since they're so beloved by some...but I just can't get there. I like some of their songs, but intrinsically I just don't care for them on the whole. This album specifically is less palatable than some of their others, so I guess I'm just uncultured swine. I'm OK with that. 2.3

As crap and boring as "The Bends" was. Inspired by Miles Davis and Noam Chomsky in the sense this features both "musical notes" and "language words" Those fucking vocals - STOP IT NOW. You can neither sing nor enunciate accurately you whining pissant, were you half-asleep during the recording? I would agree with the top reviewer here, viz "Most overrated album of all time", but as my newly-minted "Contributor" colleague might respond: "I don’t know Simon, it’s no Pet Sounds" Happily, this project has broadened my horizons somewhat such that I can now recognize how the "monster riff" from Paranoid Android was ripped from "Beck's Bolero". Proud of me, Mark?

I like the music fairly well but Thom Yorke's voice is nails on a chalkboard to me. I just can't.

Perfection (100/100)

Masterpiece

One of, if not the greatest rock records to date. Timeless. Love it.

I could write a novel! One of my truly favorite albums of all time.

One of the few perfect albums in existence and possibly the record that most defined my taste in music as a youngster when I bought it shortly after it was released. It may still be my all time favorite. Has become increasingly relevant as the present has come more and more to resemble the future it foresaw.

205/1089 - A great example of an album where every song is unique and interesting but still sounds like the band. Cool concept as well on the importance and dangers of the reliance on technology. Great melding of rock instrumentation with new (at the time) digital effects.

One of their best albums of all time.

A masterpiece of moder music Od consider it sound art and should be in art museum collections Start to bottom all super creative and coherent while experimenting some new ground.

Still rocks my world. A moment in time.

Easily one of the best albums I’ve listened to. I’ve listened to this album so many times, and I really like the hidden meanings of the lyrics. All 12 tracks are really great, but my favorites are: “Paranoid Android,” “Exit Music (For a Film),” “Karma Police,” “Fitter Happier,” “Electioneering,” “No Surprises,” and “The Tourist.” 5 stars. I would give 10 if I wanted to.

A Timeless Masterpiece OK Computer is a landmark album that redefined alternative rock in the late '90s, blending haunting melodies, cryptic lyrics, and experimental soundscapes into a deeply immersive experience. Its themes of alienation, technology, and modern anxiety resonate as strongly today as they did upon release. I am a big fan of The Pineapple Thief and OK Computer is a clear influence—its atmospheric depth, emotional intensity, and progressive leanings laid the groundwork for the kind of introspective, layered music that The Pineapple Thief excels at. You can hear echoes of Radiohead’s sonic ambition in their use of dynamic shifts, melancholic tones, and textured arrangements. A visionary album that continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike.

i can't lie, this is absolutely amazing, it speaks on such modern stuff yet it still feels so dreamy, every musical part feels like the perfect choice and it still isn't cliché, it's always fresh. these songs will be incredible forever

I've listened to this album so many times that I don't even need to listen to it again to review it. But of course I will. It's a great album. For me, it's the best from Radiohead, whom I admire anyway. 5/5

In 1997, Radiohead detonated an emotional smart bomb and called it OK Computer. It was the sonic equivalent of realizing your toaster has been quietly judging you, your laptop is gaslighting you, and your heart is running on dial-up. It’s beautiful, it’s bleak, and it’s British in a way that makes you want to drink tea in a thunderstorm while questioning the meaning of life. Thom Yorke leads the charge with the vocals of a melancholy android—fragile, eerie, and somehow always sounding like he’s just seen something terrible on the news. “Paranoid Android,” the six-minute Frankenstein of a track, is equal parts prog-rock opera, digital tantrum, and late-night existential crisis. It’s like Bohemian Rhapsody took a philosophy degree and started microdosing. The whole album pulses with late-‘90s dread. OK Computer predicted the loneliness of the digital age before most people had broadband. Tracks like “No Surprises” lull you with lullaby vibes while Yorke softly disembowels capitalism. “Karma Police” sounds like revenge wearing a really nice blazer. And “Let Down”? That’s the moment you realize the subway is just a metaphor for your life, and you’re missing your stop. Musically, it’s lush but paranoid. Jonny Greenwood’s guitar work ranges from celestial to clinically insane, while the band’s electronic flourishes make you feel like HAL 9000 is weeping gently in the corner. Yet it never feels cold—just devastatingly human. OK Computer didn’t just raise the bar; it floated the bar off into orbit and asked us to find it through a haze of static and poetry. Nearly three decades later, it still feels uncomfortably relevant—as if the album saw the future and politely asked, “Are you sure you want to continue?”

Sorry King Crimson, this is now the best album I've received so far. My favorite Radiohead album easily. This album is perfect not a second of it is wasted. Favorite song: Paranoid Android

5 Classic and personal fave.

Essential album that re-established thinking-person’s rock as a viable form of popular music

One of the greatest of all time.

Basically a perfect album in my opinion - one of my all time favourites. I probably listen to this at least once a month. I talk a lot in these reviews about albums that haven't aged well, but this one truly has. It could have come out yesterday. I always thought that this album and Kid A sounded like music from the future, and I still feel like that.

I don't often look at reviews of new albums before I rate them myself. But seeing as I've heard this album a few times in the past, I decided to take a peek. I saw a few 1/5s. Now either these are contrarian votes, or some of the most disingenuous folks out there. For those contrarians, don't get me wrong, you have your right to engage with media in an antipodal way and not dedicate much effort in discovering your personal emotions and thoughts on a piece of media. But it's times like this we see through you. And for those who are not contrarian, and still voted it 1/5. There were no reliable qualities? None? No Surprises' melody didn't make you even raise an eyebrow? Nothing? We bow down to your heightened state of being. Truly you understand humanity better than we all can hope to, and this album gave you no pause. Now.... I'm not even sure if this is my favorite Radiohead album, and I'm not a huge Radiohead fan in general. But this album is fantastic. 5/5 didn't have to even think much about it.

Can literally transport you. Ends in a very different place from how it starts, and never sounds samey or boring.

This album came out the year I was born, and I think it's pretty formative for me. Always melancholy but not boring or repetitive, each song is good and flows into the next. Thom Yorke's sad voice is one of a kind, and some of their best songs are on here. Kid A probably has higher highs imo but I don't love every song on there. This one is just SO consistently good

Rainy day music. This album is very, very special to me. I can pinpoint when first heard it, and times it's kept me company. :) the music is so complicated at times, but dressed up so it's never too much. I love this album and I'm sleepy.

I think the discussion of this album as anti-capitalist is a bit overblown. Rather, to me, it is much more interesting as a plea for true feeling in an overly mechanized world. Either way, just wow. All tracks flow perfectly into one another, and yet, even after nearing 30 years of listening, there are still surprises. And where necessary, it still really rocks! There’s not a second of it that I don’t absolutely love. It usually sucks to agree with the common opinion, but here I feel it’s unavoidable.

OK Computer is a work of such depth and complexity, layer upon layer, peeling back like an onion, that there are still new things to discover in it even after 27 years of obsessive listening and worship. And yet, its message is so clearly communicated. The modern world is bullshit. We as humans have sold our souls to capitalism, for 24/7 instant food and entertainment. Humans will stomp on each other to be richer, to be seen as cooler, smarter…better. This album reads corporate culture for the filth it is. The production here is unbelievably marvelous. Radiohead were going for the spaces between notes on Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew, and they nailed it, particularly on Subterranean Homesick Alien, a gorgeous meditation on wishing to escape the world. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood took 16 violins tuned a quarter step apart, all playing the same note, and made the eerie outro to Climbing Up The Walls, a song about the voices inside the heads of schizophrenic patients clawing to get out, yet there is no escape. Open up your skull, I’ll be there, climbing up the walls. A blood curdling scream from inside a diseased brain. This is followed, geniously, by the child like bed time melody of No Surprises. You are deceived into thinking everything will now be better after that horror show, but then Thom starts singing about all the little defeats of life so plaintively that you feel every ounce of the loss in his soul. Alternatively on Karma Police, when he sings the last “I lost myself” and draws out the note, it feels like he’s crying and crumpling into a ball of despair. It’s heartbreaking and so fucking real. Then the song disintegrates into a virus infected computer. The best song on here for me is Let Down. On first few listens it sounds like an average alt rock meditation about being let down, stomped into the ground, and hoping to someday grow wings, yet it builds and builds, listen after listen, layer upon layer to such incredible heights that you can feel your soul actually grow wings, fly above it all and forgive this life for being what it is. Miraculous songwriting. I’m still waiting for someone, anyone to try and top it. I could go on for days. I’ve listened and obsessed so much that I can’t listen and obsess like I once did. I might not feel so strongly about this album had I not felt every emotion he’s singing about at some point in my life. This is a perfect album. No missed notes. No mistakes. Its intentions land squarely at ground zero. Pure, glorious art.

This album is a must listen for any fan of music

Oh hell yes. An absolute masterpiece and one of my top albums ever. I wish there were six stars.

It’s just the utter best.

One of my favorite albums of all time. Big. Interesting. Sad. Makes a point. It’s beautiful.

One of the greatest albums of all time

I knew the shining reputation this album had for years, and have tried multiple times to listen to it all the way through, but I never truly appreciated the depth and complexity it has until now. This actually was the first album I went back to listen to a 2nd time just to further analyze it. Thematically is where OK Computer shines the most for me, and in a way where it has aged like the finest of wines, when looking at how quickly technology is advancing and/or shaping in our society and how things like social media has worked to drive wedges between us, while also contributing to increased consumerism, isolation, and so forth. Yorke sings about how he doesn't fit into the world he lives in all over this album, about how he just watches the chaos around him, his dissatisfaction with life, and just general worry, anxiety, and fear. A lot of these feelings would probably resonate with people today, from the rise of AI programs, to Covid-19, rising inequality, climate change, and so many other topics. Musically the album served as a final end to britpop, but also varied with crunchy, distorted guitars on more alternative rock numbers like Electioneering, to softer, atmospheric ballads like the Tourist, and then songs like Climbing Up The Walls which have a brooding, yet atmospheric nature with Yorke's vocals slinking their way around the track before turning into shrieks as distorted guitars just turn the track into a wall of sound to go along with said shrieks. It's an album that I'm already revisiting multiple times now and looking forward to do so multiple times in the future as I appreciate the lyrical and musical depth it has, and I can really see this becoming one of my favorite albums in the coming years, so I'll rate it as such.

I've listened to this album countless times. Unfortunately it's one of those albums that I associate very strongly with a past relationship which ended badly, so it's hard for me to separate it from those memories and that state of mind. Her name was fucking Sarah too. So when "Lucky" comes on it's kind of haunting. Because of all that I don't listen to this often, but when I do, I am still hypnotized by what initially drew me in: the richly detailed and textured atmosphere that perfectly balanced electronic and rock elements, experimentation with hooks, and, most impressively, the way they were able to capture the zeitgeist with both the beauty and sadness it requires to truly do so. I think a big part of this album's success was due to simply not overthinking it. Most of it was recorded live together as a group rather than separate takes, and producer Nigel Godrich didn't overwork the mixes. It strangely gives quite the opposite impression though. When I listen to this on headphones I could easily be convinced that they labored over each take Steely Dan style, and that Nigel Godrich held them all at gunpoint over some minor production choice. This record feels as alive and vital to me as it did when I first heard it, and I consider it their best work. It flows gracefully through all its twists and turns, ups and downs. Computer voice and all, it's a perfect album.

Airbag offers a good bridge from The Bends to OK Computer, but is often over looked during album listens for me because it is just a hurdle before Paranoid Android. About half way with Karma Police Radio head start taking a bit of a left turn and start heading in their future direction, once they got over the musical hissy fit that was Kid A. Still one of my all time favourite albums, and always will be.

Had heard it before. It took a while to grow on me but now this is one of my favorite albums ever. Highly recommend anyone who hasn't heard it to try it out because if it ends up being for you, it will change your life and the way you see music.

One of my all time favourite albums. But IMHO In Rainbows is even better.

Is there anything left to say about it? The record of their lives. The record of our lives.

What can I say about this that has not been said before. I prefer Kid A and In Rainbows more than this that does not meanrhis one is not perfect

Excellent album - really impactful and atmospheric songs 8.5/9 out of 10 so a very strong 4

Ok this list is fucking with me now. Radiohead on back to back days just as I called them probably the most overrated band ever. At least I heard of this record. This was definatley the best one yet. I’d consider giving it a 4 and yes I will. It’s good stuff.

10/10

Classic. Still hits hard today. One of those albums that seems prophetic.

Bought this in late 1997, after seeing Karma Police on VH1 (or MTV?), and hearing all the critical acclaim it was getting. Gave it the usual listen to, without really listening and wasn't super impressed. Mid-late 1998 gave it another listen to, and really was blown away. It has its time and place though - not something I'd listen to while in mood of either extreme. 4.5/5

Radiohead er for meg som dyr vin. Har alltid tenkt at det er litt pretensiøst og skjønte ikke helt hva greia var. Men som god vin, jo mer jeg smaker (les: hører) jo mer begynner jeg å skjønne meg på hypen. ok computer er et ganske legit album, og en god intro til et band (prosjekt?) som har laget noe av den beste musikken jeg vet om (Everything In It’s Right Place er en undeniable banger)

Ok boomer

An absolutely beautiful album to listen to the day after your cat dies.

if you asked me on the spot to categorize radiohead into a genre i couldn't actually tell you what music they play. modern rock, maybe, kinda? in any case, second consecutive album i recognize. track 1, Airbag: the guitar starting at 2m30s in got me transfixed 8/10 track 2, Paranoid Android: the title makes me think of marvin from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the vibe throughout could be mapped to that of the shown life of marvin from said work. regardless, solid 8.5/10 track 3, Subterranean Homesick Alien: mm, the REVERB on that guitar. good vibes here. 8/10 track 4, Exit Music (For A Film): this could absolutely be the ending music for a movie. 8/10 track 5, Let Down: i could give you a paragraph and a half about how people have been let down by society but uh. yeah just put this song on loop and stare at your ceiling for half an hour. 7.5/10 track 6, Karma Police: a lot of this album seems pretty melancholy, good vibes. 7/10 track 7, Fitter Happier: "more productive. comfortable." while it fits into the feeling that the album gives, it's not a song, so it will be exlcuded from the overall numeric rating track 8, Electioneering: this album came out in 1997 how are all of the songs still applicable to what's going on 25 years later. augh. good guitar in this one though 9/10 track 9, Climbing Up the Walls: it might be obvious by now but i'm not quite familiar with this genre enough to provide good insight into the components of these songs - instrumentation, meter, and especially the lyrics (i have terrible audio processing delay which is why all of these reviews are based on vibes and not lyrical intent), but even still i can feel the angst dripping off of these, and especially this one. i too feel like climbing up the walls. 8/10 track 10, No Surprises: the bells (glockenspiel?) add more than i thought they would to the overall feel. 8/10 track 11, Lucky: i came across a danny phantom fancomic while listening to the album, more specifically this song. reminded me of a good word to describe a lot of these songs. haunting. 9/10 track 12, The Tourist: "slow down." uplifting, if minorly, somewhat raising the listener back up out of the dive made into the album, complete with ding at the end. 8/10 overall: 8/10 -> 4/5. i imagine that if i looked up the album, there would be something on how its a commentary about life, and all of the ways people feel stuck or trapped. i welcome listeners (and readers, if you find yourself the type of person to read these reviews) to do that research if you find yourself yearning for it.

Is there another band that benefitted as much from their 3rd album as Radiohead did with this one? (Okay, just Googled that question and there's a ton: Born to Run, Dookie, Songs for the Deaf, Slippery When Wet, and so forth. Forget I even brought it up.) Anyway, yeah it still seems strange to me listening to this again for the 9,000th time that *this* is the record that scored higher with critics and audiences than The Bends. Especially on the heels of such a giant hit in "Creep," it makes zero sense in hindsight why The Bends was not more warmly received in the US than it was - and yet OK Computer was hyped beyond belief right out of the gate. I remember Matt Pinfield on MTV talking about how good this album was before it was released and then playing the video for "Paranoid Android." And you know, you hear that song the first time and it's real easy to go "What the hell is this?" Somehow people got it. Next thing you know, Radiohead is goddamn everywhere. The fact that they were the same band that hit with "Creep" became part of the narrative. It was like validation that they weren't just a one hit wonder and everybody was happy about it. BUT... The Bends exists! Why didn't that happen at the same level when "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" were on MTV?? Those are easier songs to digest than "Paranoid Android," right? I. Do. Not. Understand. Society. But hey at least they got behind another good album. Listening now, I could lop off "Electioneering" and "Climbing Up the Walls," and probably be happier with the total package. But the guitars on "Let Down"... I will not ever get tired of that. Sad Radiohead makes me happy.