I’m sorry, guys: it’s time for the next installment of The Music Virgin!

This week’s suggestion comes from barns: Radiohead’s OK Computer.

I was initially going to do Metallica’s ...And Justice for All because I wanted to understand what it sounded like to hate your parents in the late ‘80s. I even bought the album. I might do it later. But, Jesus Christ, is it insufferably boring! Maybe I just went from happy child straight to responsible adult, but I must’ve missed the point of my life where amelodic screaming and bad Castlevania covers could inform my view of the world. And I mean the old Castelvanias, not that sweet, sweet Symphony of the Night shit.

Instead I’m doing OK Computer. According to Wikipedia (here comes a paraphrase!), Radiohead is a rather popular British band who got some fame from a song called “Creep,” but skyrocketed to fame with the more avant garde OK Computer.

So here we go!

1. Airbag

I like the Christmas bells that start this off. Thom Yorke sounds like the guy who sang all those songs in The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The echo-y guitar also reminds me a bit of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds musical. These are all really good things, by the way. The electronic mixes are a nice touch, too. Really odd and interesting.

2. Paranoid Android

I like the title! Please be about Marvin! Ooooooh – I like the electronic voice underlying the tracks. So far these past two songs have had a lot of subtle touches missing from both Guns N’ Roses’ and Metallica’s music.

3. Subterranean Homesick Alien

This song just makes me sad. Perhaps that’s the point. I know not all songs are happy, but really! Who’s the monster here, Thom Yorke? Is it me? Go ahead and say it’s me. Because I think it might be me. I know. I’m a consumerist. When am I going to wake up and smell the sheeple around me? Am I right folks! ANARCHY!

4. Exit Music (For a Film)

I understand this came from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet = Tragedy – (Soul + Humor). Is this only the fourth song? This sounds like something Weird Al would parody last on his album. I’m talking a major closer here. This is really good. If I ever have to walk through the rain after killing my brother, this is definitely on the Shuffle.

5. Let Down

Yikes. I thought "Subterranean Homesick Alien" was a bad song to listen to while training for a marathon.

6. Karma Police

Uh! Uh! Pass! Sorry guys, this song is just a little too middle-of-the-road blah. I’m sure it has some deep meaning involving consumers consuming consumerist consumables.

7. Fitter Happier

When is someone going to finally cover this song? It does remind me a bit of Radio K.A.O.S. That’s right: I didn’t listen to Nevermind until last year, but I have heard a concept rock opera about on a retarded kid hacking nuclear missiles? Yeah, boy!

8. Electioneering

And we’re back! I love the celebratory tone of a horrible clearly person enjoying himself.

9. Climbing Up The Walls

The pace at which this song creeps is great. It grows and builds and grows and builds until it bursts. That violin in there is incredible.

10. No Surprises

Hey, Radiohead. Hey. You guys doing alright? You want a hug? No? Cool, man. Well, I’m here. Just pick up the telephone if you need someone. You guys! You guys are going to be alright. Oh, you. Who wants pizza? Is that a surprise? No? But what if I put your favorite toppings on it? Yeah? You guys definitely feel better. Oh, you guys!

11. Lucky

Not the same "Lucky" as Britney Spears. Those songs are so different, guys. Here’s the odd thing: the Britney Spears song has much more depressing lyrics than the Radiohead song. Seriously. This song is about surviving a plane crash or not being a consumerist. Or something. But the Britney Spears song is about a pop star who wants to kill herself. Or something.


12. The Tourist

A beautiful closer that sort of ties everything together. Or spreads everything out, man! I don’t know! Pretty sounds come together and Thom Yorke says something deep: I think I’m picking up on the pattern now! Sort of like how Bob Dylan says something incredibly obvious, but since he doesn’t rhyme well, people think he’s blowing their minds while they’re blowing his brain. 

I enjoyed OK Computer. It’s much, much, much better than Appetite for Destruction, which will probably rank somewhere between Gregorian chants and an .mp3 of my 4’11’’ cousin giving birth to twins on my most-listened list.

OK Computer is a fascinating album with a lot of subtle touches that create a powerful emotional reaction. Also, robot voices. Lots and lots of robot voices.

Any suggestions for next time? Should I give Metallica a second chance? Question mark?