Although there was an immeasurable amount of classical
composers I was thinking of writing about, there is one band I've been
listening to all week and I've really forgotten how much I love their material... So, why not?! Somewhat out of the blue, I felt the urge to listen
to all the Radiohead I have in my collection. Since there are at least a
million and one articles written about Radiohead (they've been around for 28
years) I figured I’d write a quick blurb dissecting their album OK Computer. I
mean, it is a masterpiece after all…
OK Computer really kicks off with quite a mixture of sounds
with the song “Airbag”, and leaves the average person wondering what might be
coming next. The first 20 seconds alone contain bells that hit on every
measure, distorted guitar, and cello to fill the low end. Yorke’s signature
vocals arrive soon after and follow its very own melody, offering even more
interesting divergences to the song. It really sets your expectation of what
the rest of the album is going to sound like and this is what precisely keeps
you looking forward to the next interval of music.
Throughout this album, Radiohead continues to return to
references of technology, political agendas, insanity, and even death. An
obvious sentiment of detachment is set, and docilely necessitated by a
‘computerized’ voice droning on about societal standards (“Fitter Happier”).
“Exit Music” also really accurately presents this absent sentimentality because
of its very disconsolate demeanor and soft instrumentation. Nevertheless, OK
Computer is not all somber annotations and gratuitously depressing sentiments.
It is apparent that emotional sensations of highs and lows are meant to be
experienced throughout the composition, and not just seeming dark overtones. A
lot of the foremost vocal melodies seem to almost always evolve into falsetto
singing that is fated to give most listeners feelings of contentment or
resolution (or is that just me?).
In any case, the
album really offers a mixed bag of spirits and personally resonates with me in
many different ways. Below are just a few articles I found about the band…
Enjoy!
http://www.wired.com/design/2014/02/take-deep-dive-strange-mind-radiohead-new-app/
(Interesting look how Radiohead is involving phone and tablet applications with
their music.)
http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/75584 (An
interview with the guitar player Johny Greenwood, pertaining to current guitar
methods and techniques. This is a quick must read for you musicians out there!)
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/30/colin-greenwood-radiohead-top-5-independent-venues (The
bassist Colin Greenwood talks about the indie venues that Radiohead played in
their early days.)