Best Album: Radiohead

[pixote]

I’m weirdly insulted whenever I see Amnesiac — a glorified collection of B-sides — put in the same company as the holy trinity of The Bends, O.K. Computer, and Kid A.

But I’m okay. How are you?

pixote

[Eric/E.T.]

I have a weird relationship to The Bends, because I think it's wonderful but also a bit connected to 90's rock radio and somewhat to Pablo Honey, two other things with which I have fraught relationships. I don't even like to admit that I like it as much as I do. Amnesiac is more than just some collection of B-sides, though; they're songs that work great in the context they are given, just didn't make sense with Kid A. Pakt Like Sardines in a Crshd Tin Box, Knives Out, and You and Whose Army? (just the first three that come to mind) take me higher than just about anything on The Bends, minus Fake Plastic Trees. That said, there is a rhyme and reason to the order of songs and ultimately the purpose of Amnesiac that's more boundary-pushing than Kid A, although I rate Kid A higher. Like Spinning Plates is another one that comes to mind that wouldn't have worked on Kid A, but is a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant piece of modernist pop music.

There were actually many years that Hail to the Thief was my favorite Radiohead album.

[Eric/E.T.]

There is at least one profound line in each OK Computer song. And in this case, the profundity is found in how straightforward some of these lines seem, but in the context of the songs, when you hear them, they're each like a mini-catharsis. You could probably pick an alternative set from this that would be nearly as effective. Been listening to it a lot lately, too, so here are the most profound lines, which are also the most profound sentiments, of each song.

Airbag - "I am born again"
Paranoid Android - "When I am king, you will be first against the wall"
Subterranean Homesick Alien - "I'd show them the stars and the meaning of life / They'd shut me away but I'd be alright"
Exit (Music for a Film) - "We hope your rules and wisdom choke you"
Let Down - "One day I am gonna grow wings"
Karma Police - "This is what you'll get when you mess with us" and/or "For a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself"
Fitter Happier - "A pig in a cage on antibiotics"
Electioneering - "I trust I can rely on your vote"
Climbing Up the Walls - "So lock the kids up safe tonight"
No Surprises - "Bring down the government / They don't, they don't speak for us"
Lucky - "The head of state has called for me by name, but I don't have time for him"
The Tourist - "Idiot, slow down, slow down"