Radiohead – OK Computer

After the moderate success of The Bends (which also secured them as being beyond just "the band that does the song 'Creep'"), Radiohead was inspired to do more of their own thing. Inspired greatly by the Beatles' self titled "white" album, Radiohead set to make what many have called "The Dark Side of the Moon of the 1990s."

While denying the progressive rock connections that critics have made, it's hard not to see some attributes of progressive rock in this album. In fact, it's better to call it more of an art rock album. There is a unity between the songs that shows more of a state of mind, rather than a linear narrative or an explicit construct. The state of mind is living in the modern world with its emphasis on better living through science. And yet the 19th century notion of letting science and technology advance the human race into a better utopia has resulted in devasating wars and other forms of misery... far from being idyllic and peaceful.

Perhaps the song that really makes the point is the "intermission" song "Fitter Happier." Delivered coldly (and quite humorously) using a Macintosh computer, it states what the modern society looks for in a modern individual: someone who is basically programmed to do the right thing at the right time. This is their version of W.H. Auden's poem "The Unknown Citizen."

This is one of the many reasons many can point to as far as what Radiohead was able to create through this album. But like the album it's used to compare this to, OK Computer gives you space to think and ponder and not force you into a particular idea.