Happy 15th Birthday OK Computer!
Perhaps even more so than Faith No More, Radiohead built their career on bold moves and refusal to pander to closed-minded fans. And, just as Faith No More kickstarted an era of difficulty with Angel Dust, Radiohead fired the salvo that defined the rest of their risky career with OK Computer.
In order to truly appreciate an album such as OK Computer, you have to consider both the context and the result. In 1997, Radiohead were on the brink of completely breaking through in North America, the long held belief being that a European band hadn't truly "made it" until they were doing well in the U.S. They had staved off the one-hit wonder threat of Creep with The Bends and singles Fake Plastic Trees, High & Dry and Just. However, those weren't smash hits in the States, just popular enough to draw attention. It was believed by many that their third album would be their most important, and if they could just build on the momentum from The Bends, career establishment could be made.
Of course, we now know that it was. However, most assumed that it would be done with well-written, easily digestible radio singles. No one could have guessed they'd solidify themselves with an album as wrought with paranoia, tension and depression as OK Computer is. The choice of Paranoid Android as lead single was troubling to their record company, as it was pretty much as radio unfriendly as it gets; six and a half minutes of sneering vitriol and violent mood swings, it wasn't given much of a fighting chance. However, the song caught traction in Britain, and the album shot to number 1 when it was released in the UK 15 years ago today.
The reviews started pouring in, all dumbfounded, shocked and amazed. NME called it "a landmark record of the 1990s", while Nick Kent of Mojo said, "In 20 years time I'm betting OK Computer will be seen as the key record of 1997, the one to take rock forward instead of artfully revamping images and song-structures from an earlier era." The good press sparked intrigue in North America, where we were waiting patiently for the album's release (the UK got a bit of a jump on us; OK Computer's North American release was actually July 1).
Capitol's low expectations on American soil were founded at first, with a modest number 21 debut. However, as word got around, the album maintained a steady pace, eventually becoming the platinum hit that cemented Radiohead as one of the world's most exciting bands. It's impact was massive, and is still being felt today. In fact, OK Computer is constantly popping up on G.O.A.T. lists.
Nothing quite like OK Computer had ever happened before, and Radiohead have failed to match it since (not that they've really aspired to). Coming just before Napster and the music loving public's slow diversion from album formats, OK Computer makes a case for being the last classic album.
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