Radiohead Research Paper

Pablo Montoya

Professor

Music 104

4/11/16

Computer Music

Artist: Radiohead

Album: OK Computer

Year Published: June 16, 1997

Significant Musicians: Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich, Jonny Greenwood, Philip Selway In 1985 Thom Yorke and four dedicated Englishmen formed the band, On a Friday. The band emerged from the grunge scene as a more futuristic approach to alternative rock. The band would not get signed to its record label unless it changed its name so they decided on Radiohead. This band is credited with ending the Britpop scene. Radiohead released their album Pablo Honey in, 1993 which only had a single hit song “Creep”. They were regarded as a one hit wonder band as most of the 90s bands. Radiohead was perceived as a rip off of Nirvana

The one thing you don't want to say to us is what we should do, because we'll kick against that and do exactly the opposite.” (Rolling Stone). In 1997, Radiohead came out with the OK Computer album that launched them into fame. The album was the turning point for Radiohead as they topped the charts in the United Kingdom at number one. Like the song “Creep”, “Paranoid Android” had taken its place as the leading song for Radiohead. Many critics, claimed it to be heavily inspired by Queen, The Beatles, and Progressive Rock (Rolling Stone). OK Computer was Radiohead’s attempt to break away from the fame of their hit single “Creep”. It did just that that in 2014, the album was to be inducted in the Library of Congress. “According to an announcement made … by the National Recording Registry, Radiohead's 1997 smash OK Computer will be preserved in the Library of Congress alongside the Doors' eponymous 1967 debut, Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and more..” (Pitchfork). The album has been a staple to follow for many years for different bands. An article published by NME in 2014 called Radiohead the Beatles of the 21st century. “Just as The Beatles came to embody the ’60s, Thom Yorke is the rock star who most clearly reflects our times. Nearly

The song starts off with sleigh bells in the background, accompanied by what seems to be reversed cellos and then gets sent to the back by Johnny Greenwood’s strong and slow guitar riff. After the guitar fades out, drums come crashing in with a simple beat that is easy to follow. Backed by a fuzzy guitar tone, the song sounds hopeful yet, at the same time, sad. There is also a deep bass that is hidden in the background, subtly oscillating around, helping it carry the song forward. It abruptly changes from a soft song into a more technical display of the bands’ hand at technical use. Accompanied by overdubbing to help Thom Yorke hit the high vocals and create a harmony. The song includes beeps and very odd space sounds that are reminiscent of a sci-fi film. The song also has overdubbing in it where Yorkes’ original vocals are modified to sound more distant and distorted. Coming to an end the song takes on an all electrical twist with Yorkes’ vocals meshed in. The song ends with the same sound it began with in the intro, the powerful riffs close out the song and we are left with beeps that sound like a heartbeat monitor. The second verse and third verse of lyrics sum up the song, but also give a great insight into the dependence of technology that we have. “In a fast German car I’m amazed that I survived an Airbag in my life in an interstellar burst I am back to save the