Radiohead – OK Computer: Against The Grain.

Oxfordshire band Radiohead leapt onto the scene way back in 1985. Since then, they have become an institution paving way for the rock genre we immerse ourselves into today. Not only have they committed themselves to the scene, but they have also inspired many acts since. Lead by the enigmatic Thom Yorke, their influence has been unparalleled, their expressive music a lifeline for some. With Yorke’s lyrical ingenuity rippled through the music, his words a prized asset, he has become a lynchpin in an industry struck by prima donnas.

Arrogance or stance has never been pivotal for Radiohead. They have worn their hearts on their sleeves since the commencement of their revolution, exhibiting music through personal challenges. When listening to a Radiohead record, there is always melancholy shuddering through, sorrow rushing into the blood. They are also an act painstakingly, meticulously sorting their music into bundles, bundles created by resilience.

The band’s most celebrated record OK Computer landed in 1997. It is the album that pushed the band into the realms of superstardom, propelling them to distant places, and a magnum opus that sends a flurry through the music industry. Such a massive album in terms of musicality and sales, it has become a staple, a go to record for the masses and the disenchanted lovers who choose to walk down roads clasping hands but riddled with despair. 

Radiohead's 'OK Computer' - 20 Things You Might Not Know | NME
The OK Computer Era.

OK Computer demanded attention. It is an album which struck wars and the modern era, balancing between hope and the abyss. The void was dark, but Yorke and company shined light on the wreckage, placing music into submission, and giving us a treat of melancholic, breakneck speed guitars and wisdom. Yes, the album was released before the internet boom, the modern decay, but it sounds fresh and daring as always.

The inspiration was endless on OK Computer. Yorke ruffled the landscape and showcased what a man can do to inner dealings of music. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood played fearless sequences too, dazzling, purposefully enchanting the listeners, coordinating the instrumental influence. It was the complete opus, to some a savior of the broken, a record that interlocked with many hearts.  

Sad but engrossing, OK Computer had been served up to shock and provoke answers. A phenomenon, it rallied many to its core. “Airbag” started it off. A gritty, unorthodox melody fell into a sturdy guitar riff, and Yorke’s vocals impeded nicely. He sang about being born again. It seems upbeat, but it is far from being a jubilant number. “Paranoid Android” was extravagant and phenomenal, settling on dramatic songwriting and sincere lyricism. It blends acoustics with raucous riffs. “Karma Police” had become a staple, a piano driven masterclass. Yorke’s haunting vocals eclipse everything done previously. He had placed his all into this dreamy, cut­-throat track.

OK Computer redefined rock and the possibilities of songwriting. It hit against the grain, the modern curve. Neither beautiful nor refined, it certainly jolted the heart and let fans escape into its warm embrace.   

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