Radiohead – “O.K. Computer” Under Review (DVD-Video)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C Main Program: B
Some
people say Rock is dead, yet cannot explain what that means or when that
happened. It does not help when a band
like U2 takes no risks anymore, most of the younger bands are too adult
contemporary safe, has-been acts that should have broken up long ago continue
to cut albums as if they are important with extremely rare exception and bands
like Oasis are all hype, zero substance.
A few exceptions include Nine Inch Nails, though many try to write it
off as Trent Reznor with any musicians he chooses, Pearl Jam are ever
incredible and even No Doubt counts, who successfully mix more genres better
than anyone. Then there is Radiohead.
As Pulp
never picked up and Blur was sadly whittled down, Radiohead has produced more
consistent albums, music and original ideas than any other Rock band
alive. Sure, they may borrow more heavily
from the likes of David Bowie than one might want, but instances like that are
minor as compared to the overall catalog.
From the great singing of Thom E. Yorke to the uncompromising musicianship
of Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway and brothers Jonny & Colin Greenwood, few bands
today can match them and none can surpass them. Instead of trying to take on their whole
career, the ever-amazing Under Review
series continues focusing in some cases on a single album and try out the
amazing O.K. Computer from 1997.
The
worldwide hit Creep had already shown
their commercial viability, building on that with the incredible success of The Bends (album and especially single Just), it left many excitedly wondering
what they would do next. That is where O.K. Computer comes in. The installment looks at every single track,
but of course, there are standouts. No Surprises and Karma Police, which even went as far as to have two remarkable
Music Videos, are seemingly accessible and simple, but there is a certain
synergy within the production and engineering of those songs that make them in
particular single masterworks.
However,
there are gems on the album that could never be released as a single and that
is why this is one really great installment of the Under Review series, one that once again could have gone on
longer. Since this program, the band has
released three more remarkable albums and show no sign of stopping, but is a
great choice because this is the
breakthrough album and that will become more and more apparent as they become
greater and greater.
The
letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image is nicely exited and produced, so it is a shame this
is not anamorphically enhanced and has detail limits. Colors can be very nice, but that cannot make
up for that detail issue. The PCM 16/48
2.0 Stereo is not bad, though the music is sometimes veiled versus the same
type of PCM on their Seven Television
Commercials DVD Music Video collection, which we highly recommend. Extras are few, but include text on the
contributors and a very hard text quiz dubbed the hardest ever as usual for
this series. Don’t miss this must-see
installment.
- Nicholas Sheffo
