2. Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
Along with OK Computer, this is the album that put Radiohead into a class of their own. The shift from melody to texture, and rock to electronica was met with mixed reactions from fans. While there were (and still are) many fans who were unwilling to come to terms with the band’s new experimental direction, the popularity of such a viewpoint has dwindled over the years as Kid A has come to be almost universally recognized as a musical triumph, and possibly one of the greatest albums of all time. Given the sheer amount of innovation, beauty and uniqueness found on this album. I can’t help but agree with the latter sentiment. Whenever I listen to the rapturous melancholy of “How to Disappear Completely” or the dark, hypnotic meanderings of “The National Anthem,” or any other song on the album, I am consistently taken aback not only by how much the band have progressed since their very early days, but also by their ability to weave together disparate musical elements into an amazingly concise and appealing package. From Aphex Twin to Miles Davis to Can, this is an album that incorporates highly unorthodox (non-pop) sounds into a pop structure. That approach, I believe, has been the key to Radiohead’s continued success and musical greatness. To wrap it up, this is a stunning, awe-inspiring album that, if you appreciate it as I do, will leave you absolutely bewildered by its musical depth and genius.
Recommended tracks: all of them
1. Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)
Choosing which album would be my #1, whether Kid A or OK Computer, was exceedingly difficult, but I simply had to go with the latter as it was the first album where I really connected with the band and, indeed, connected with them in a manner unlike any other band. The songs are absolutely brilliant of course-- from the childlike innocence of “No Surprises” to the menacing, mournful tones of “Climbing Up the Walls”-- but so is the theme of the album. It’s not a “concept album” per se, but there is a unifying theme -- namely, alienation from modern society and consumer capitalism. Thom Yorke’s lyrics may be cryptic, but they convey a sense of dissatisfaction with the mundane nature of the world and with the way people relate to each other, both socially and politically, in the modern world. Perhaps that is why this album has appealed to such a vast number of people. It’s not just the music itself that holds up the album; it is the mood of the album and how the music relates to the lyrical themes. At least that’s how I see it. This album has been interpreted and dissected in so many ways that it has a unique resonance for each person who listens to it. Plenty of others have written about this legendary album much better than I could ever hope to, so I suggest you read some professional reviews or, better yet, just give it a few listens and let it seep into your soul. If you have anything like the connection I have with this album, you will feel that it is the very essence of your musical identity and will cherish it for all time.
Recommended tracks: all of them
Topic: Adace's Top 50 Albums (Read 25072 times)
