LogFAQs > #953962637

track ranking continued

5. Climbing Up the Walls (Track #9)
Score: 132 (Average Rank: 6.24/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin, Giggsalot, HBJDubs, Seginustemple (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Evillordexdeath, Seanchan (#11)

ChainLTTP: the climax of this hits so fucking hard

CasanovaZelos: Perhaps the most underappreciated Radiohead track. The atmosphere here kills me, and that final scream is one of the best things Yorke has ever pulled off. This is such an unsettling, chaotic piece, and it really surprises me that its not considered a standout. Perhaps it was too ahead of its time, as it feels like a bridge toward Kid A.

Giggsalot: Loving the appreciation for this so far in this topic! This is the best song here hands down for me. An absolute masterclass in building tension, with a climax that just completely burns the house down.

4. Exit Music (For a Film) (Track #4)
Score: 154 (Average Rank: 4.59/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin, neonreaper, Seanchan, Johnbobb, Metalmindstats (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): ChainLTTP, RyoCaliente (#9)

ChainLTTP: see (Climbing Up the Walls), god damn this song got me through my moody freshman year of college

CasanovaZelos: A deeply moving song, and Ill never get over the fact that its from the Romeo + Juliet credits. A completely baffling film, but there must be some merits if seeing the ending inspired the band to write this. Again, this is a song of contrasts; after clearly embracing the depressing conclusion of its inspiration during the first half, Yorke goes a step further and ends the song with condemnation. But as with every other song on OK Computer, its mere manic rambling; Romeo and Juliet are incapable of revenge, so they can only wish harm upon their enemies, which itself fits the overarching theme of the album. Thom Yorkes vocals during the climax are to die for, while the distorted backing vocals that come in a third of the way through always get under my skin. And, gosh, when the drums come in.

Giggsalot: Yep, this is where the album really takes off for me. This has the best core melody so far by miles, and OK Computer's best songs are the ones where they hone in on a simmering, almost trip-hop-esque tension. That buzzing bass is the sound of dreams.

Johnbobb: The biggest surprise of the album, as the previous three songs were all great, but I thought it might have finally hit a dip in the beginning of track 4. Then the deep background vocals come in, then the drums and distorted guitar at around 3 minutes in, leading to perhaps my favorite moment of the album in the last minute of the song.

3. Karma Police (Track #6)
Score: 158 (Average Rank: 4.53/12)
Biggest Fan(s): SpikeSetsFire (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin (#11)

ChainLTTP: it feels disgusting putting Karma Police of all things in the middle, but this album is the fucking GOAT so here we are

CasanovaZelos: While I really like Karma Police, Ill never understand people who treat it like the definitive Radiohead song. On an album where nearly every track is pushing the boundaries, this feels a little too simple. But then I get to the outro and it kills me every time. I can see why its a big deal this is the most rock radio friendly song on the album, and it has a killer atmosphere. Just, the first couple minutes are just alright to me, saved by a stunning ending.

Giggsalot: Note-perfect classic, and the only one of the three singles here that hasn't suffered from overplay. Who cares that it's basically Sexy Sadie, they should teach this in schools. I will not be taking questions.

Johnbobb: the only song I knew going in, because of course I did. Listening to it in context of the rest of the album is a much different experience though, because I actually didn't like it quite as much as the album's opening tracks, though I can really appreciate the interesting midpoint having Karma Police/Fitter Happier here creates. Great song either way.

2. Paranoid Android (Track #2)
Score: 170 (Average Rank: 4.47/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Jesse_Custer, TheArkOfTurus, neonreaper, Johnbobb (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): HBJDubs (#11)

ChainLTTP: probably in your casual fan's top 2, and for good reason. This is where it starts getting REALLY hard for me to rank them

CasanovaZelos: "Happiness is a Warm Gun" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the angsty gen Xer. It makes sense for this to be the signature track; in an album full of contrasts, a song which is several distinct ideas mashed together accentuates the idea. OK Computer does a phenomenal job exploring generally untapped emotions, and this is the perfect embodiment of stress-driven narcissism. Every inch of this song, no matter how disparate each section gets, suggests someone on a manic high desperately reassuring themselves of their own greatness lest the world drag them back down. And instrumentally, this is simply an awesome song.

Giggsalot: Yeah, we all know this one is great. I could make a case that the only truly spectacular section is the "rain down" chorus, but I've been snarky enough already and who needs more of that. This is a classic for a reason.

Johnbobb: It's hard to choose a favorite between the first four songs, because OK Computer has such an incredible start. PA does a little of everything, leaping from acoustic to grunge to whatever the fuck is happening in that last minute.

1. Let Down (Track #5)
Score: 170 (Average Rank: 4.12/12)
Biggest Fan(s): RyoCaliente, CasanovaZelos, VeryInsane (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Snake5555555555 (#9)
ChainLTTP: Radiohead firing on all cylinders. This is a band that is clicking. You only see this once a generation, friends

CasanovaZelos: My personal favorite Radiohead song. Again, contrast is the name of the game, and no other song can make me feel so simultaneously hopeful and crushed by the weight of the world. Yorke sings One day I am gonna grow wings with such force, only to tear it down immediately. But the line keeps coming back, and even if he immediately subverts it every time, the fact he cant drop the idea suggests theres reason to believe. And, just, the outro. Such a beautiful piece of music, and again accentuating the contrast as Thom Yorkes vocals split in two. It unfortunately gets lost in the shuffle for some people its not as in your face about what its doing like Paranoid Android - but I truly believe this is Radiohead at their most emotionally raw.

Giggsalot: One of only about three genuinely pretty songs on the album (RH got way better at this later on). I've never adored this the way most fans do, but it's crept up on me over the years. Consider me charmed.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/