My first album on this journey that very hopefully I do manage to commit to for the next 3 years. Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder. I've listened to Songs in the Key of Life before, and really enjoyed this one.
It's less striking than its successor and it's wealth of varied styles, maybe, but that gives it a refreshing consistency, with fantastic instrumentals and some excellent vocals, the iconic energy of Stevie Wonder impossible to ignore on this record.
It's hard to find much of a fault with it, so I've given it 5 stars - a great start to the list for me.
(Album 2 of 1089)
This is one of my favourite albums of all time, and I am certainly not alone in that opinion. I've certainly listened to this album before - this is the very album that inspired my willingness to seek out and listen to different artists and genres, after spending a lot of my childhood listening to Coldplay (I will defend their first 4 albums), the Beatles (a great band nonetheless), and my parents' (often very bland) music.
It's a bit crazy that I got it this early on when I signed up to this list to listen to music I haven't heard yet, given this album's role in my musical journey, but it's forgivable because it's OK Computer, and I have a real excuse to listen to it again for the 100th time.
OK Computer is a masterpiece of 90's alternative rock, an immensely detailed production that rewards 'critical' listening while being approachable and listenable.
Officially, it's not a concept album. But it has a distinct and coherent theme that flows throughout the record; fear and paranoia. It would take me too long to dissect the meaning of each song in relation to this, and others have certainly done this better than I would, however I'll try my best to at least explore this a bit.
Particularly, it's frightened of a controlled and dystopian future facilitated by modern technology. Unfortunately, in 2026, I cannot possibly say this fear wasn't justified.
'Fitter Happier' illustrates the ideal citizen in the eye of the unspoken authority. Today, we are being survielled almost constantly by major corporations as governments start to crack down on free internet access and launch international information wars, using social media platforms to divide populations with propaganda. I have felt the impact of this movement heavily in my own life, and I doubt I am alone.
As dark and depressing as this fear is, Radiohead used it to create some awesome music, so it's not all bad.
'Paranoid Android' in particular is an absolutely fantastic song, with a structure reminiscent of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', if that song was about paranoia and dystopia instead of whatever 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is actually about. The guitar solo on this song is as breathtaking as the first time I listened to it.
'Exit Music (For A Film)' was written for a film about Romeo and Juliet, and moved by the deep tragedy of the story, 'Exit Music' is sort of Radiohead's own adaptation. It's haunting and emotional with a guitar and a landscape of background noises that truly make me feel transported to a different world, and the build up at the end to a harsh electronic climax is absolutely incredible.
'Climbing Up The Walls' is another one of my favourites on this album. As if this record couldn't get any more depressing, Radiohead made a horror themed song with intense strings and dark instrumentals that are particularly atmospheric. The screaming at the end is fun.
There's so much more I could say, and more songs I could write about, but as I have already spent way too long writing this review, I'll just finish here. This is a fantastic album that expanded my view of what I thought was possible in music.
It might not be my favourite Radiohead album though, which is no insult to the quality of this album but a testament to their work in general. 'In Rainbows' is even more special to me than this one - it saved my life, arguably. I hope it's on this list so more people can listen to it.
P.S. listen to the second disk in the OKNOTOK reissue as well. There's some excellent B-side material on there.
(Album 3 of 1089)
I've listened to Carrie and Lowell before, and I do think Illinois is superior - it's got more life and charm to it.
Illinois was a pleasant listen but a bit forgettable. Highlights include 'Chicago' and 'Night Zombies'. It could grow on me, I think.
(Album 4 of 1089)
Jeff Buckley has a great voice, but this album didn't quite click with me. It was a good listen and was clearly well made, I just never felt a huge pull to keep listening to it.
I've heard about how Buckley and this album inspired Thom Yorke, so it's nice to have finally listened to it. Hopefully this one grows on me.
(Album 5 of 1089)
This album is a nice pop/soft rock album with a sort of beach-y vibe and well written songs. An enjoyable listen, 'Do It Again' a clear highlight.
A well made album with nice genre variety - the production didn't quite click with me so far - it has an unpredictable style I wouldn't quite call satisfying, but it has multiple enjoyable songs, including 'E-Pro' and 'Go It Alone'.
Didn't love it, the production is a bit rough and the songwriting is nothing to write home about.
A 90s Seattle rock album, but not the highlight of that scene by any means. It's muddy and grungy with some decent moments, but this album suffers with songs blending into each other and gets boring after a while.
A very fun listen and an interesting one as well, with the impact of George Clinton's work on future music in its genre (and other genres that draw from funk like hip-hop) clearly visible. I would give it a 4.5 as the final track is a bit weaker than the rest of the album but I don't think it's enough to drop to a 4.
