17 Years of 'Ok Computer'

17 years ago today the most important record of my life was released. Today is the anniversary of the British rock classic 'OK Computer' by the now legendary Radiohead. Not only has the album aged well, but even in 2014 it seems to take a look into a future, both grim and intoxicating, realistic and stunning. It secured the band's place in the pantheon of not only British but global alternative music. Radiohead has long been considered not just an different rock band to challenge its listeners, but one that took them on a journey, which given a chance, has rarely if ever disappointed.

Two years before, in 1995, the band's second album 'The Bends' had announced Radiohead as a genuine force, with a vocalist whose voice was tragic and uplifting all at once, with a sucker punch on both ballads and rockier songs. Lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood would prove himself as one of the great guitarists (as well as composer) of the generation time and again, and the other 3 members (Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway) were solid, impressive, the remainder of not just a fine group, but one that could do anything and go anywhere with their abilities and musical desire. 

'OK Computer' wasn't just a record, it was and still is a remarkable universe. It was introduced by lead single 'Paranoid Android.' Never did a song sound less like a lead single. That was the first surprise, but when the track sank into the consciousness it seemed like a masterstroke of sorts. It was over six minutes, a first for the band, it was epic, beautiful, and it rocked like an animal. Somehow it reached the higher echelons of the UK Top 40. It was an indication that the band had grown, that it didn't feel compelled to satisfy anybody in a commercial sense, and that it had taken another step forwards, upwards and into a stratosphere all of its own, that to be honest few if any have achieved in the time since. 

The quality of this record almost defies belief. Every song except the Stephen Hawkins-esque 'Fitter Happier' would be good enough to be a single of the highest quality for any other band. That song was a bleak and necessary crack running down the middle of the record, which wonderfully divided the other 11 songs. Here Radiohead had almost endless choices for singles. 'Karma Police' and 'No Surprises' were much more commercial and immediately listenable than 'Paranoid Android' and the harrowing and moving  'Exit Music (For A Film). It was never about singles though, despite how mind blowing the accompanying videos of those singles were. From start to finish it worked as a cohesive piece of work, it certainly put one of the nails in Britpop's coffin, and it made it cool to do something else, to think outside of the box, and to take a look at mankind, society, the way the world moves.

I can remember when it came out, where I sat and first listened to it, on my headphones and CD player. I can remember what the booklet and the actual compact disc looked like, reading the lyrics, how the pages of the booklet smelled. I can remember thinking I was hearing music from another planet. More than anything, how truly special that music was, that first moment, and of course, every moment with that album since, though I limit it, in the hope I will never, ever wear out what is possibly the single best record ever made. Almost certainly it is of those released during my lifetime, and it came out at a point when I was old enough to appreciate it, to absorb it, to be influenced by it, musically, in my life, in my thinking. It had a profound impact. 

I often think about the album, I often return to it, when I want to hear perfection, when I want to be truly inspired, when I want to experience a special moment, that will last 54 heavenly minutes. People said Radiohead were a sad band, but they ever failed to look beyond what might not have sounded immediately upbeat. An investment of time could surely only reveal them as an uplifting and colossal band. The fact that they never recovered (in the way people hoped they might replicate it) from how big this made them and then took an unusual about turn into totally foreign territory, which was of an equally mesmerising and high standard, is just another factor that makes them one of the small number that truly deserve to be spoken of amongst the greatest bands of all time. Radiohead has made eight albums thus far, and you'd struggle to not acknowledge four of those as being modern classics, perhaps more. Who else could stake such a claim? Though it's unlikely any of the members of Radiohead would ever be heard saying that. At least, not via the media. Another reason to love them, they did their job, that well, and went home. No information about their private lives, no giant egos demanding further attention like modern footballers and celebrities with little or no talent. Truly a band for the ages. 

So, 'OK Computer' is an album that could be analysed and broken down for weeks and dissected in every last detail, each song for hours on end, but I just wanted to commemorate a moment in time, a piece of music I will never forget, that I take with me on my life journey, and that changed that very journey forever. As ever, I await new Radiohead music eagerly. The band never went back, replicated nor revisited that moment of sublime all conquering alternative rock, but they transformed into something else, equally as beautiful, and for that and every release they have ever made they are worth following, supporting and appreciating.

One final thought. 5 men. No line up changes. No dip in standard, only longer periods between releases after a rather prolific first decade. I think they have got it right where so few others have. To the best British band of the last 20 years, take a bow, Radiohead. Thank you for so much joy and sadness and magic.