Features

Radiohead released OK Computer, their third studio album on June 16th 1997 . After releasing the emotional, guitar driven The Bends album full of introspective lyrics two years earlier, the band aimed for a different sound and more positive outlook with OK Computer. Singer Thom Yorke stated “we could really fall back on just doing another miserable, morbid and negative record lyrically, but I don’t really want to, at all. And I’m deliberately just writing down all the positive things that I hear or see…”

The result was an album that still stands out as one of rock’s most unique. Singles “Karma Police”, “Paranoid Android” and “No Surprises” led the way while deeper cuts like “Exit Music (For a Film)” and “Climbing Up The Walls” offered a glimpse into the genius that was just getting tapped into.

Lyrically, it’s not as if Ok Computer wasn’t as emotionally charged as it’s predecessor as York’s quote above might suggest. It’s just that the songs aren’t so much about personal problems and concern, but more so about stress on a societal level. The album touch on topics like having a second chance at life (“Airbag”), crooked politicians (“Electioneering”), and missing the moment (“The Tourist”). Then of course songs like “Karma Police” and “Paranoid Android” are about almost exactly what their titles would imply. It was a combination of these song’s masterful, often poetic-like lyrics with their experimental nature that would make this record so special.

OK Computer would lay the foundation for the further success and experimentation in music that Radiohead would achieve in the years that followed. Their 2000 Kid A album was hailed as a breakthrough, but that sound had evolved directly from OK Computer and that groundwork it laid. Later songs like “There, There” from 2003’s Hail To The Thief or even “Burn The Witch” from 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool have strong shades of OK Computer influence. That combo of rock guitar with progressive arrangements can all be traced back to OK Computer.

It’s difficult to argue what Radiohead’s best album is. But the distinction OK Computer will always have, besides the modest radio hits it delivered, is that it was a transition album for the band. A departure from the post-grunge sound of The Bends while not quite as out there as Kid A, OK Computer offers the best best of both worlds for Radiohead fans.

Leading up to the release of their 25th anniversary commemorative box set of their Throwing Copper album, Live has released a never before heard recording from the record’s outtakes. “Hold Me Up” is fast moving rocker that allows singer Ed Kowalczyk to unleash his signature larger than life voice behind a wall of powerful twang. Listen to the track in the video below.

 

The song is not completely new to hardcore Live fans however, as the band has busted it out in concert at least a handful of times over the years, while low quality recordings from the studio can be found on YouTube and other sources.

This all comes on the heels of Live’s Altimate Tour with fellow 90’s icons Bush, who are also celebrating an anniversary as their Sixteen Stone album also turns 25 later this year See all tour dates here.

In October of 1999, California alternative rockers Incubus released Make Yourself, their third studio album that featured hits “Stellar“, “Pardon Me” and “Drive” among others. Now to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Double Platinum album, the band has announced plans to hit the road beginning September 13th in Denver for a 39-date “20 Years of Make Yourself and Beyond” tour. Continue reading “Incubus To Celebrate “Make Yourself” Album with 20th Anniversary Tour” →

Complementing a string of early summer dates previously announced, Gin Blossoms and Collective Soul have now added more shows onto their “Now’s The Time Tour”. The new dates will route the two bands throughout the western US and one date in Canada beginning in Phoenix on August 13th and wrapping up in Irving, Texas on September 1st. Tickets are on sale for all dates now. Continue reading “Collective Soul & Gin Blossoms Team Up For More “Now’s The Time Tour” Dates” →

Green Day’s Dookie Turns 25: Celebrating Pop Punk’s Most Important Album

Written by: Tyler Hypnarowski 

February 1st, 2019

The early 90s was an interesting era for punk rock. Stalwarts like The Clash, Black Flag, The Dead Kennedys and others had long broken up. All the while, the unprecedented rise of grunge, a descendent of punk music, was drastically stealing the attention of youth listeners. And while bands like The Offspring and Bad Religion were beginning to carve out their niches and bring punk rock to the masses, there was still a bit of a musical vacuum to be filled, at least in the sense of mainstream appeal.

So as Sid Vicious rolled in his grave, the seeds of pop punk that were planted years back had come to full bloom by February 1st, 1994 and the release of Green Day’s Dookie. Continue reading “Green Day’s Dookie Turns 25: Celebrating Pop Punk’s Most Important Album” →

Written by: Dewey Bass

Everything is STILL backwards in Americana my way. More than 10 million copies sold, gold and platinum certifications, and 20 years later, The Offspring’s fifth album still packs a punch, and is as relevant as ever. Continue reading “Welcome Back To Americana: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Offspring’s 1998 Album” →