There’s no way Pablo Honey or even The Bends could have prepared us for OK Computer. This isn’t a new thought, but it is worth mentioning that in just over four years Radiohead graduated from “Creep” to visionary status. It’s startling, too, realizing OK Computer was released a decade ago: June 16, 1997 in Europe and July 1, 1997 in the U.S. Very heavy summer listening, no?
To celebrate the anniversary we’ve asked some of our favorite musicians to participate in a song-by-song OK Computer covers compilation. Indicative of the album’s continued importance, each invitee jumped at the chance; the results are personal, intense, tellingly various.
(Click here to go straight to OKX: A Tribute To OK Computer.)
Some folks honored the original “sturdy” design. Others looked to add difference. A couple wanted to flat-out shatter. None sound like Coldplay. Because critics have written more than enough about OK Computer‘s influence, we also asked each contributor to write a response to their take. But first, more from the critics?
Radiohead has spoken about attempting to overlap DJ Shadow and the Beatles on OK Computer (remember this was pre-Danger Mouse, wasn’t meant so literally), but what the quintet created — existential dread, paranoia, and technophobia set to a lush, icy soundscape — has an entirely unique sound and feel, something our generation could grab onto and own. Yorke intones, “ambition makes you look pretty ugly” before one of “Paranoid Android”‘s guitar-roar ascensions, but not here, Thom, not here? OK houses a post-everything guitar rock made fleshy and skeletal with spiraling pop arrangements, arty progressions, and complexly ingenious/uncompromising recording techniques. As those of us haunted by its melodies know, OK Computer‘s often as important for its sound as for what the band wanted to say. In fact, it’s safe to say quite a few fans know said melodies more than the words (anyone care to belt out an acapella “Electioneering” or “Climbing the Walls”?) Regarding “The Tourist,” Decemberists guitarist Chris Funk comments, “I’m sure the words are amazing and mean something, but ? it’s always the melody for me first and I find this one just like an attic space full of opium and air-conditioning.” (This coming from someone who tours with Colin Meloy?)
While Yorke’s shimmering falsetto could likely exhale a shopping list and conjure tears (to be honest we haven’t tried this yet), OK Computer‘s themes are equally ambitious: There’s that existential dream world, a need to escape empty feelings, and a wish/dread to find transcendence beyond “a heart that’s full up like a landfill, a job that slowly kills you, bruises that won’t heal.” As Twilight Sad drummer Mark Devine notes, “the fear of modern society [is] evident in every corner of OK Computer.” All that said (and placed on infinite repeat), we embrace the irony of releasing OKX as a series of MP3′s sent to us by their makers via email and enjoyed by you on a computer. Kissing might still include saliva, but putting together and playing a record no longer requires human contact. In our over-documented, blogged, reality televised, YouTube/MySpace realm — “a town where you can’t smell a thing” — OK Computer‘s sense of vacuum-packed alienation remains presciently relevant. “Yuppies” are busy networking in “Paranoid Android”; now it’s everyone (yeah, even you kid). Now more than ever we need to heed “The Tourist”‘s request to slow down and look at the scenery (unless, of course, your scenery’s an iPhone “touch” screen).
Analysis aside ? the record’s also just flat-out beautiful. Songs can’t always keep you warm, but goddamn if OK Computer doesn’t usually do the trick. OKX‘s contributors know this: My Brightest Diamond “votes Radiohead [her] favorite band of all time”; John Vanderslice votes “Karma Police”‘s bridge “the best bridge ever.” Or, David Bazan recalls being “instantly moved” by “Let Down”‘s “first depressed/hopeful (now classic) guitar line,” adding “by the end of the second verse I was choking back tears, undone.” And Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett sums it up perfectly: “OK Computer is the single most important album to be released during my youth … it was a rite of passage ? I have never had an emotional connection with an album quite like I have with this one.” Hopefully some of that (or that or that) magic has made its way onto OKX. Slow down, dig in.
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found a link: http://www.mediafire.com/?abtzxjy2mih
I’m re-listening to all these covers as I wait for the Post tribute album to be released, and I wanted to say thanks for putting these together, Stereogum! This one (minus the Cold War Kids) is awesome all-around. (With Vanderslice’s cover being my favorite)
Fitter Happier is the best cover – hands down. Had me cracking up. Where did they find this guy? Samson Deloonga?
I like a good chunk of this, but I will say it is frustrating (especially in hipster musicians) how often people get so caught up being “different,” “fresh,” and “new,” and get so into the whole unspoken mentality of rejecting anything that is accepted or conventional, that they kill a good deal of the artistry of both radiohead and themselves in these songs. Props to those who could deliver an effective, straight forward COVER.
why am i the only one NOT happy with this tribute cd? the only one i could bear to finish listening was the first No Surprises cover. It sounds amazing with a female voice…
maybe cuz im too much a radiohead fan. haha.
ps. Cold War Kids, u let me down BADLY.
There’s a link somewhere in the 250+ comments that lets you download a zip of the original tracks, but does anybody know where I can go to download the two bonus tracks?! Polyethylene pts 1 and 2 is one of my favorite all time non-LP Radiohead songs!
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
radiohead covers with real ideas and taste? i thought the day would never come good work.
also sorry about all the mass posting ive got the hang of the update rate now, wont be happening again.
This really fucking sucks.
If you want a good radiohead cover check out Robert Glasper play Everything in its Right Place/Maiden Voyage with Chris Dave on drums.
Or just stick to this shit which is probably what will happen.
they need to release this on iTunes or something.
Cold War Kids, Vampire Weekend and John Vanderslice made brilliant covers.
When I downloaded this a year ago, I listened to it a couple times and liked it. But lately I have been listening to it a lot. It really grows on you, just like real Radiohead. It’s almost like listening to OK Computer for the first time all over again. I just wish I could get the uncompressed files.
I noticed this far too late to actually download it . . . sigh.
What’s with these people who don’t know who David Bazan is?! He’s a better songwriter than anyone from Radiohead.
Hopefully additional download licenses will be procured for this so that the less internet-ravenous among us can get it.
As for the year-old comment asking “when will someone have the sack to do a cover version of The Bends?” The song or the entire album? Anthrax released a cover of the song “The Bends,” which was a disappointingly faithful (and pale) approximation of the original.
is the ZIP availiable anywhere??
I want this album!! can anyone please share a link????
c’moooon fkn c’moooon!!!
cheers!
I Love “OK Computer” – one of my top 10 list albums. I would lov to ve this one for download – where can I have it/buy it??
Anyone have a copy they downloaded that they’d like to sell? Or has anyone figured out how to “borrow” this stuff permanantly?
I like this blog. Its contents are nice.
I wish my care for you, just forgot.
You don’t care and you don’t need.
You won’t hear and you won’t feel.
I’m just another person. Another guy.
When I have an issue, you most likely
sigh.
I don’t know much about OK computer. Please give me a brief information about it.
Thank you.
Nice rhyme XBOX. good poem hmmmmmmmm
Hey!!!!!!! OK Computer’s often as important for its sound as for what the band wanted to say. In fact, it’s safe to say quite a few fans know said melodies more than the words “Electioneering”
There’s that existential dream world, a need to escape empty feelings, and a wish/dread to find transcendence beyond “a heart that’s full up like a landfill, a job that slowly kills you, bruises that won’t heal.”
i’m sorry but this vampire weekend cover is god awful. and
Honestly speaking I had no idea about OK Computer. After visiting I came to know about OK Computer. OK Computer is somewhat related to music system like ipod etc.
OK computer has been praised by many peoples. It is good to know about a new concept and better if I get a chance to try it.
Wow, I just now stumbled onto this. I’m reading everyone’s comments and cracking up. People sure are possessive of their “Ok Computer”. As am I. I think this is a GREAT idea and I think there are some awesome covers on here. Although I have to agree that I’m not a fan of the Cold War Kids Cover…
There are about 3 songs on here which could stand on their own: The Tourist, Exit Music (For a Film), and Subterranean Homesick Alien. Unfortunately, these are all my least favorite songs on this album (the original, I mean). The others? They are all trying so hard to not sound like the original that they forgot to make something that sounds like music.
I always imagined a cover of Airbag with cellos and a mariachi band. It didn’t come close. The cover for Paranoid Android sounds far too much like The Captain of Her Heart by Double that it’s distracting. All the others except for Polyethylene plod along like dirges.
I’m especially disappointed with Let Down, but then again, I can’t imagine not being so.
Oh, and it’s too bad they couldn’t get REM or The Replacements to cover Electioneering, since those are the bands Radiohead were copying anyway.
Downloaded a copy of OKX, but was missing Northern State’s version of “No Surprises.” Does anybody know where I would be able to find a copy of this song? Thx!