In Absentia vs. OK Computer
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=101723
Printed Date: March 06 2025 at 17:49
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Topic: In Absentia vs. OK Computer
Posted By: Xonty
Subject: In Absentia vs. OK Computer
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 14:04
Two similar albums from bands who were influenced by, or even reincarnating progressive music from the 70s (notably Pink Floyd) and putting it in a modern musical setting. "In Absentia" is rated a little higher on PA, but "OK Computer" is exalted as the greatest album ever on sites like RateYourMusic. Should be nice to see what y'all think, my vote goes to "In Absentia" because it's better  Anyway, thanks for any feedback  |
Replies:
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 14:13
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OK Computer. Very, very easily. ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music 
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Posted By: Pastmaster
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 14:33
| In Absentia no contest. Never liked Radiohead. |
Posted By: LearsFool
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 14:40
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Too easy a choice, since the only way to go lower in quality amongst PT's albums from In Absentia is The Incident. IA is too straightforward to be considered anything more than "good". OK Computer was pretty revolutionary. Lots going on. Done well. Best compared to Fear of a Blank Planet due to semi-intertwined concept. Not the ever so slightly overrated demo. -------------  
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 15:13
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I dig a couple of Radiohead tunes scattered around their discography, but listening to OK Computer was probably one of the most underwhelming experiences of my life. I love In Absentia, progressive or not, which is where my vote went. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 15:15
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Pastmaster wrote:Posted By: progadicto
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 15:50
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IMO the worst PT album is far better than the best RH album... ------------- ... E N E L B U N K E R... |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 16:05
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PT, easily. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 16:17
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Quite a tough poll. For me these two albums are the only flawless albums produced by either band. I'm tempted to vote for Radiohead as they need the votes here, but I guess In Absentia moves me slightly more. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Imperial Zeppelin
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 16:20
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OK Computer. I never really got into Porcupine Tree that much. ------------- "Hey there, Dog Man, now I drink from your bowl." |
Posted By: sublime220
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 17:18
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Favourite prog album against favourite album of all time. Easy poll. Computer takes the cake. ------------- There is no dark side in the moon, really... Matter of fact, it's all dark... |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 17:19
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Porcupine Tree - In Absentia Ok Computer is no match for In Absentia, but to me very few albums are |
Posted By: tboyd1802
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 17:24
| For me, easy In Absentia... |
Posted By: Raccoon
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 18:08
At least ONE person finds this poll tough!! Both are fantastic albums, OK Computer probably more important, experimental, but I enjoy In Absentia more... I'm sure Absentia will blow this poll off the board. I love 'em both. I Listen to Absentia much more though, to be fair. So another vote for In. ------------- Check out my FREE album: A one-man project The Distant Dynasty |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 18:17
Yeah, my thoughts exactly re; Ok Computer. It's more experimental and 'ground breaking' and yes a brilliant album, but I enjoy In Abnsentia a little more. Tbh, I prefer The Bends to most of the RH albums that followed Ok Computer. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 18:27
+2 ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: Michael678
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 18:30
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OK Computer; haven't heard In Absentia. plus, i really like the former. ------------- Progrockdude |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 18:34
Took the words out of my mouth..... ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 19:02
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I'm sure Steven Wilson would be blushing right now if he saw how much In Absentia is winning by since he's a big Radiohead fan. I do have a fairly large appreciation for Radiohead especially the direction they seem to be going lately with the experimental stuff as on King Of Limbs, but In Absentia was my first PT album and I just prefer it a lot more to OK Computer. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 19:07
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Tough one for me, I voted for OK because it was behind and though I didn't listen to it when it was fresh out, when it came along it impacted me on a major level as did In Absentia when I first heard it. It turned me on to the works of Steven Wilson and Steven putting in the good word for Radiohead on his web site at the time got me interested in them. I had heard Creep played ad nauseum on the radio and had seen Beavis and Butthead make fun of Paranoid Android, but it would take many years before I gave them a try, which oddly enough was their first album because it was available used so cheap. I was underwhelmed. Then I tried Amnesiac and got totally hooked. I discovered progarchives while looking for info on Radiohead on the internet... ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: ole-the-first
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 19:17
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In Absentia
------------- This night wounds time. |
Posted By: ole-the-first
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 19:19
To be honest, I've never understood where could Pink Floyd influences be found on later PT or any of RH albums. For me, those bands are entirely from different worlds. I can name more Krautrock influences on Radiohead. ------------- This night wounds time. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 20:29
| Loved both albums the first time I listened to them. Gradually lost interest in Absentia but appreciated Computer even more. Ok Computer for me. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 20:44
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I never fell for O.K. Computer, love Kid A though. In Absentia is wonderful, and far from PT's weakest offering. So my vote goes there. |
Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 21:21
| don't see the two albums as similar---but prefer PT more. |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 22:56
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Ok Computer. The emotions hit harder, more soul. ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: Pastmaster
Date Posted: March 21 2015 at 22:56
Agree
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 04:14
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If Kid A or In Rainbows had been put against it then it would have been tougher for me. OK Computer is all over the shop , a real random mess of an album that needed much more thought. Its only 'progressive' quality comes from it being self consciously experimental but then they probably learnt a thing or two in its making. Kid A was the real masterwork and is utterly flawless imo. In Rainbows also has beautiful music. In Absentia and Deadwing are the crown jewels as far as PT goes.
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Posted By: fudgenuts64
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 06:52
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OK Computer. Really fantastic album and one of the few more recent albums I hold in the highest regard. In Absentia is great too but it has too many songs I tend to skip and I prefer the earlier PT albums more anyway. ------------- 
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 08:22
Funny how perceptions differ. I think Ok Computer is their masterpiece, ans flows really well..  Never got on with Kid A, but I agree that In Rainbows has moments of excellence. I prefer The Bends to anything that followed OKC.Certainly agree about PT. In Absentia and Deadwing are their best albums. I actually prefer Signify to Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun too. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: uduwudu
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 15:32
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In Absentia. Quality melodies and some nice twisted lyrics. Superb atmosphere, great songs, arrangements. To me the music of P Tree should have the pop cultural appeal that Radiohead enjoy. I mean they do / did, but the scale should be greater. Pink Floyd greater not cheese grater... ;) Easy choice for me. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 15:34
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Tied. No vote! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 16:36
The Bends is good (probably about 4 stars in my book). Its funny how they got from The Bends to Kid A with just one album in the middle. Signify over Stupid Dream?..hmm. It's back to the idea of experimentation over rock solid song writing albeit 'playing it safe'. I remember reading that Wilson was the 'saviour of prog rock' in Classic Rock magazine just when SD came out . I bought the album and then wondered what was remotely prog about it. I still grew to love it though and would now include it in my top 3 PT albums.
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Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 18:02
| OK Computer |
Posted By: addictedtoprog
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 07:23
| I like them equally...so, no vote. |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 07:32
| For reasons I can't put my finger on, In Absentia has never really clicked with me (I much prefer Deadwing) so my vote goes to OK Computer. |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 08:20
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I really really struggle with Radiohead, simply down to the vocals. I think their music though is great though, which makes it such a shame as no matter how often I have tried I simply cannot put up with Yorke's vocals. If they were the sort of band that released their albums with a bonus instrumental disc I'd be laughing. Some of the songs on OK Computer are fine but I just find it unlistenable. In Absentia. I'm a huge fan of PT but this one of my least favourite of their albums. It's certainly not particularly proggy, not that that matters particularly to me. There are a couple of excellent songs (Strip The Soul and Trains stand out for me) but I just can't understand how this is fawned over in comparison to most of their other releases. I suppose it has to be In Absentia. |
Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 11:05
I subscribe to your opinion almost word for word. ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 12:24
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I'm one of those guys that just doesn't understand what's so special about Radiohead PTree is an easy choice for me ------------- Prog On! |
Posted By: Pastmaster
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 14:10
Agree
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 14:15
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Big fan of both, prob slight preference for In Absentia. |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 15:24
------------- |
Posted By: Terakonin
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 19:09
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In Absentia. Shocking, I know. |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: March 24 2015 at 04:12
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Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: March 26 2015 at 08:50
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wow two fabulous albums... but I voted Ok Computer. ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Volcanic-lighnings
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 16:08
| Porcupine Tree - In Absentia |
Posted By: proggman
Date Posted: April 16 2015 at 03:39
Porcupine Tree, In Absentia.------------- When he rides, my fears subside. For darkness turns once more to light. Through the skies, his white horse flies. To find a land beyond the night. |