I’m very much of the same opinion,I’m a simple soul who listens to a lot of music.See I don’t care if he or anyone else wanted to be a rock star at eight (although I suspect he is far from being the only one). For the most part I stick music on and judge it on what I listen to. If I really like it I might trouble myself with the lyrics. In a small number of instances I will go deeper. I liked the sound of OK computer and the Bends. I thought they were ok rock songs and believe it or not liked Yorke’s voice as it went perfectly with the music. That’s all I judged it on and all I judged their subsequent music on.
But then I am as deep as a puddle.
It isn't about that, save for one song, which I'll get to in my review. If it was, that message would be clear. It's about that only in RETROSPECT. Ask the band: "Radiohead have said they do not consider OK Computer a concept album and did not intend to link the songs through a narrative or unifying concept while it was being written." It's a "complicated take" for those that love it because the intent they ascribe is and was not there -- a classic consumer vs. creator issue in art generally. @threespires has already nodded in the direction of this argument, and he's not wrong, nor am I. This is the crux of why we think it's overrated.It's about a dystopian world, based on the situation at the time and I'd argue is still as relevant today in its themes as it was when it landed - which isn't often the case with an album. It's a complicated take, but it seems as though you're writing it off on the basis Yorke wanted to be a musician and comes from an affluent background as opposed to just listening to it. You're aiming your gun on the basis we've all read reviews and believed the hype, when you have read them alongside the bands bio and decided to use it against them.
It's also got to be commended that they didn't produce the Bends Part 2. Which is what they were told to do for commercial success. They fucked that off and did what they wanted to. Experimented, broke some rules and produced a brilliant album - albeit I preferred the Bends still.
Do you dismiss Erling Haaland as a footballer because he is the son of a former pro and has access to the best training? Some footballers can turn up and play, it's in them. Some footballers have to work their arse off. I wouldn't have found David Silva any less beautiful if I found out he'd had a private coach from the age he could walk.
It isn't about that, save for one song, which I'll get to in my review. If it was, that message would be clear. It's about that only in RETROSPECT. Ask the band: "Radiohead have said they do not consider OK Computer a concept album and did not intend to link the songs through a narrative or unifying concept while it was being written." It's a "complicated take" for those that love it because the intent they ascribe is and was not there -- a classic consumer vs. creator issue in art generally. @threespires has already nodded in the direction of this argument, and he's not wrong, nor am I. This is the crux of why we think it's overrated.
I am not writing it off because of entirely because of Thom's background -- I don't think I'm writing it off, period --though in some part my criticism is based on his background. I have a number of other thoughts on this issue which I will get to in my review.
It's lot easier to do what you want to do when you're already rich and popular. Ask The Beatles. I don't like The Bends either, but I like it better because the songs are more personal. I dislike this because they aren't. And it's overrated because people have mistaken the impersonal nature of them as underscoring the universal sadness we all sometimes feel, rather than what I think -- the writing isn't very good, and/or Yorke doesn't really feel these things.
And I find the argument that's it's somehow anti-commercial LOL funny. This sounds like it sounds because, in the inimitable words of Spinal Tap's manager, "Death sells." Again, wait for my review, but there's a reason they buried "Fitter Happier" rather than opening with it as they planned, and that was ALL about commercial appeal.
All fair enough!! Cheers mate.It's not about being anti-commercial, but they produced an album with a completely different sound to their previous one which was successful. Most bands get pushed to stick with the same sound or style in order to continue the commercial success. This was a massive departure. The album sold because people loved the Bends and therefore listened to it. If it was a shit album it could well have been the death of them (which they may well have enjoyed!), but people loved it.
In terms of the theme of the album and what it's about. I offered a simplistic overview, rather than a full review. Music is what you make of it. Depends on your mood and some songs strike a chord to some people and are like pulling teeth for others.
I look forward to seeing your review. You're owning your position which I respect, and fundamentally I don't believe it's Radiohead's best album. Although I also like some of their songs after this album which I'm sure puts me in a very small minority on here!
I don't think critics are seeing anything that isn't there. I look forward to your review though. There's no right or wrong answer here. I actually think Radiohead have done some brilliant songs since OK Computer where most people think that was the end of them!
Like Rob I can say that I have never listened to any Radiohead album in its entirety...and after my first listen to this I can honestly say that I dont think I have missed much. Nothing grabbed me, a couple of interesting tracks but I shall give it the required 2 extra listens.
Just had this image of @FogBlueInSanFran & @threespires being backed into a corner as the mob closes in...Butch & Sundance perhaps shot down in a blaze of Paranoid Android
What a great line and I can fully empathise with it. I mentioned in my review of the Manchester Orchestra that sometimes when that melancholy mood hits me I don’t look for music to lift me out of it, I almost luxuriate in the feeling.The thing is. I love 'mopery'. I really do. I'm a right dour bastard at times.