Editing OK Computer (section)

{{Short description|1997 studio album by Radiohead}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2024}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{About|the studio album by Radiohead|the television series|OK Computer (TV series){{!}}''OK Computer'' (TV series)}}

{{Infobox album
| name         = OK Computer
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Radiohead]]
| cover        = Radioheadokcomputer.png
| border       = yes
| alt          = A highly edited image of a highway. In the top left corner is written "OK Computer", with text beneath reading "Radiohead".
| released     = {{Start date|1997|05|21|df=y}}
| recorded     = *4 September 1995 ("[[Lucky (Radiohead song)|Lucky]]")
*July 1996 – 6 March 1997
| studio       = *Canned Applause, [[Didcot]], England
*[[St Catherine's Court]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], England
*[[Church Studios|Church]], [[Crouch End]], England
| genre        = * [[Alternative rock]]
* [[art rock]]<!--Primary genres only-->
| length       = 53:21
| label        = * [[Parlophone]]
* [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| producer     = * [[Nigel Godrich]]
* Radiohead
| prev_title   = [[The Bends (album)|The Bends]]
| prev_year    = 1995
| next_title   = [[No Surprises / Running from Demons]]
| next_year    = 1997
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = OK Computer
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Paranoid Android]]
 | single1date = 26 May 1997
 | single2     = [[Karma Police]]
 | single2date = 25 August 1997
 | single3     = [[Let Down (Radiohead song)|Let Down]]
 | single3date = 6 September 1997 
 | single4     = [[Lucky (Radiohead song)|Lucky]]
 | single4date = 26 December 1997 (FR)
 | single5     = [[No Surprises]]
 | single5date = 12 January 1998
}}
}}

'''''OK Computer''''' is the third studio album by the English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Radiohead]], released on 21 May 1997. With their producer, [[Nigel Godrich]], Radiohead recorded most of ''OK Computer'' in their rehearsal space in [[Oxfordshire]] and the historic mansion of [[St Catherine's Court]] in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] in 1996 and early 1997. They distanced themselves from the guitar-centred, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, ''[[The Bends (album)|The Bends]]''. ''OK Computer''{{'}}s abstract lyrics, densely layered sound and eclectic influences laid the groundwork for Radiohead's later, more [[experimental rock|experimental]] work.

The lyrics depict a [[dystopia]]n world fraught with rampant [[consumerism]], [[capitalism]], [[social alienation]], and political malaise, with themes such as transport, technology, insanity, death, modern British life, [[globalisation]] and [[anti-capitalism]]. In this capacity, ''OK Computer'' is said to have prescient insight into the mood of 21st-century life. The band used unconventional production techniques, including natural [[reverberation]], and no [[Stem mixing and mastering|audio separation]]. [[string section|Strings]] were recorded at [[Abbey Road Studios]] in London. Most of the album was recorded live.

Despite lowered sales estimates by EMI, who deemed it uncommercial and difficult to market, ''OK Computer'' reached number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and debuted at number 21 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], Radiohead's highest album entry on the US charts at the time, and was certified [[BPI certification|five times platinum]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) in the UK and [[RIAA certification|double platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in the US. It expanded Radiohead's international popularity and has sold at least 7.8 million copies worldwide. "[[Paranoid Android]]", "[[Karma Police]]", "[[Lucky (Radiohead song)|Lucky]]" and "[[No Surprises]]" were released as singles.

''OK Computer'' received acclaim from critics and has been cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and won [[Best Alternative Music Album]] at the [[40th Annual Grammy Awards|1998 Grammy Awards]]. It was also nominated for [[Brit Award for British Album of the Year|Best British Album]] at the [[1998 Brit Awards]]. The album initiated a stylistic shift in British rock away from [[Britpop]] toward melancholic, atmospheric alternative rock that became more prevalent in the next decade. In 2014, it was added by the US [[Library of Congress]] to the [[National Recording Registry]] as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". A remastered version with additional tracks, ''[[OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017|OKNOTOK 1997 2017]]'', was released in 2017. In 2019, in response to an [[music leak|internet leak]], Radiohead released ''[[MiniDiscs (Hacked)|MiniDiscs [Hacked]]]'', comprising hours of additional material.

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