OK COMPUTER

If you haven't heard Radiohead, it's about time you do so. A lot of people avoid them based on their reputation as a more "mainstream" band. I'll agree with them being mainstream but that doesn't make them a bad band on any accounts (think Pink Floyd...). They are simply amazing. This is the first album I allowed myself to pick up by them, and I'm extremely happy I did. It led me to buy all of their other studio albums (minus the debut, which sadly I hear isn't very good). The album is OK COMPUTER and it is amazing. Oh and let me clear something up, Radiohead is indeed prog and deserves a spot in the archives whether you like them or not: just listen to all of this album and every album following it and you should see why.

Now on to the album itself. It begins with one of the best songs I've heard in years: "Aigbag" which is, I believe a song about a car crash. It begins with some guitar and then gives way to an amazing, if rather simple song. It is delightful and, if approached with an open-mind, should hook anyone onto this band. It is an instant classic in my book. Next up is the infamous "Paranoid Android". Give it a listen--it's on the archives. If you don't like it then I'm suprised. It's an amazing and very progressive song. Next up are the slow, powerful duo "Subterranean Homesick Alien " and "Exit Music {For a Film". The former is a slow-paced, building and beautiful track that really showcases Tom Yorke's amazing voice and vocal style. The latter is a rather odd song with a synthetic choir in the backround that may or may not excite you, depending on how you accept electronic sounds. I for one enjoy it.

Next up are "Let Down" 9another extremely beautiful piece}, "Karma Police", a rather upbeat/traditional song that pleases and fits very well with the belated feeling/almost sedated mood the album brings together. Next up is the highly criticized "Fitter Happier" which showcases some very strange spoken/robotic lyrics and fulttering piano and effects in the backround. It is a strange track indeed, but also powerful in statement and memorable to say the least.

"Electionnering" is probably the fastest track on the album, and is very nicely paced and filled with memorable phrases. It is definately a highlight, and even though it's minor, it almost serves as a pciker-upper for the album, a very nice track indeed. Following it up is "Climbing Up Walls", which is a surreal track that is more eerie than anythign else on the album and only compares with the eeriness of the entire KID A. It will leave a scar on your memory (possibly). Following this one are the closers: "No Surprises", a fairly popular Radiohead song, and still a wondeful piece of music (the video is powerful too--as a matter of fact, Radiohead lead the way in modern videos as far as I'm concerned), "Lucky" is another surreal track, opening with screeching effects and Tom's wondeful voice paving the way. I really really love this song, it has one of the best refrains I've ever heard in my life and is a surefire highlight of the album. I won't spoil it. Check it out as soon as possible. The closer, "The Tourist" is kind of funny--tha album is slow in general, and you hear Yorke singing "hey man slowdown. idiot slow down" it's a classic ending track and just as good as any other track on the album is.

OVerall, all I can say is this has to be heard by everyone here. Don't judge by what you've heard, but rather what you will here. Pick this one up, it's usually pretty cheap in my parts ($10 in America), and definately worth it as an opener to one of the greatest bands we've seen for awhile. Yes they are assumedly "modern" and they take take some time, but prog is all about opening your ears to new ideas and sounds--and this one is definately not one to miss. A modern masterpiece (not so modern anymore, but still "newer"). 5 stars all of the way.