OK COMPUTER

OK Computer is, commercially and musically speaking, Radiohead's peak. The whole lot of over-played (in concerts and in radio) classic songs are here and on its predeccessor, from which style Okputer is based, but this CD rocks more than The Bends and, I'd say, it's more progressive in general.

Although I personally prefer The Bends slightly more than this release, I have to say that this is an impressive follow-up to Radiohead's first classic, and equally marvelous, since the songs are as powerful (and depressing) as on The Bends. Moreover, this album ends Radiohead's commercial era, when people used to compare them to alt. rock bands like Oasis, Blur or Smashing Pumpkins; if not totally progressive (even far from that to most of prog connoisseurs), Okputer is another awesome effort from this band, with splendid tracks and great instrumental work from the musicianship.

As I did with Amnesiac, I'm gonna make a track-by-track rating:

1. Airbag (9/10) = Very good opening. Nice guitar riffs at the intro. Not a highlight, nonetheless, but an average Radiohead's song.

2. Paranoid Android (10/10) = My personal favourite and surely the most progressive track on this album. Great depressing atmospheres with hard rocking interludes and distorted guitar solos.s

3. Subterranean Homesick Alien (9/10) = A slow-paced song, with excellent guitar work. One of the most relaxing songs, a bit Floydian IMO.

4. Exit Music (For a Film) (8.5/10) = Although it could be the most depressing soundtrack ever heard, IMO Radiohead's acoustic songs catalog is full of better stuff than this. Nothing new, I'd say.

5. Let Down (10/10) = Another classic. Maybe the reason why I like this a lot is simply the soft guitar arpeggios at the beggining and along the whole song. Awesome.

6. Karma Police (9.5/10) = Together with No Surprises, perhaps the most well-known track here. Great lyrics and fantastic distorted ending. See the video-clip; highly reccomended.

7. Fitter Happier (9/10) = This could be seen as nothing but just an experiment, but really it has an impressive atmosphere while Yorke spoken words are telling a kind of medical card of a psychologic-troubled guy... Good "song".

8. Electionnering (8/10) = The low note. A quite rocker track; repetitive and lack of inspiration but still an ok song.

9. Climbing up the Walls (8.5/10) = Another dull song, slow-paced and a bit repetitive. Luckily it's followed by a wonderful tune.

10. No Suprises (10/10) = Maybe not suitable enough to proggers due to the simplicity of this song, but what else can I say? Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, very depressing.... A definitive classic.

11. Lucky (9/10) = Another acoustic song, although not entirely acoustically driven. I insist that the acoustic stuff on The Bends are much better than on this album. Well, it doesn't mean that this song isn't good or something...... It's a good song, depressing.... an average one.

12. The Tourist (9/10) = The Floyd moment.... :) Dunno if it's the best ending possible, but a good song; midblowing and very slow-paced.

Certainly one of the most important releases in the latest two decades, no doubt about it. Five stars, a masterpiece of... errr.... prog related music!