OK Computer -Radiohead (1997)

Overall: Good

1. Airbag: Amazing opening to this song, kudos to Johnny Greenwood for his excellent guitar work. Amazing opening to an album frankly. Thom is on his mark vocally with some tight very flowing lyrics. This was a good concept for Radiohead to drift towards, the more electronic type music of there future albums to come. This was the departure.

2. Paranoid Android: Straight up classic song. Radiohead at its best. Thom singing his heart out. Johnny playing soft and loud in this landslide of a tune. Starts slower and grows into an amazing opus of Radiohead musicdom. Very catchy lyrics. You cant help but find your self singing ” Whats Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!!!!!”……my only grip is it is just to long..i got a little board but not board enough to not give it a five.

3. Subterranean Homesick Alien: A very entertaining song. Not like the first two in most ways. The guitar in the back plays a very predominant role in this tune to get the airy electronic feel and it definitely works for this song and is fun to listen too that way. But i just feel maybe this should have been instrumental maybe no lyrics. The lyrics are my only gripe. Not convincing as far as getting into someone’s psyche like Thom usually does. This song doesn’t do that.

4. Exit Music (For A Film):   I love acoustic Radiohead. I love acoustic music period. This song is so well crafted. The lyrics are so deep and saddening it feels as if you are peering into Thom’s soul and hearing what he is feeling. This could not be an up tempo song. The delivery is perfect for this song. For anyone who feels sorrow in their lives…..Thom feels yeah guys.

5. Let Down: Different than the other songs before it. A sad mid tempo type song. Well delivered but not with the strengths of the first three or so. Good lyrics and a good chorus. You start to feel the drag on of the song towards the halfway mark and you kinda feel you want this song over. The musician ship is very good and is a quality Radiohead track. But this is where in my opinion the album starts to go a little downhill.

6. Karma Police: Piano and acoustic guitar always works well in a song and this one definitely works very well. In my opinion this is Thom at his best vocal ability on the album. Very well sung and stretched across the notes of the instruments. Lyrically strong song and goes well with the feel. But the thing is it starts to get a little old and i don’t think the ending should have been the way it was. Didn’t leave the song feeling as good as throughout the song.

7. Fitter Happier: Straight up not a song at all. This is unbelievable. Not even close to be calling music. Its is very original and what is happening and being said is interesting but no way does this count. This should have been removed from the album and examined by the band for their own pleasure.

8. Electioneering: Love the guitar in this song and it just shows how good Johnny Greenwood really is. the tempo though doesn’t match how Thom is singing the song. He seems more downtrodden then upbeat like the song feels. Maybe this song would have been better slower but this is what we have. Lyrics are strong and flow well but still the sense of the wrong lyrics in the wrong song. Amaaaaaaaaaazing solo at the end!!!! Hats off Greenwood.

9. Climbing Up The Walls: Just a straight up transitional Radiohead song. Nothing to spectacular here except for the fact its a Radiohead song. Thom’s voice in this isn’t very appealing and the good quality guitar is hidden to much behind too much electrical “computer” type noise. In all honesty i just think this should have been a B-side. A for effort i guess.

10. No Surprise: Thom isn’t at his vocal greatest here, seems almost too depressed. The music in the background is good but is basically the same in tracks before it and pulled off better in those previous songs. The additional vocals in the background are a good addition to give the choir like feel. All this song really feels like is an adult version of a nursery rhyme.

11. Lucky: Well this is definitely better. This basically could have been a second and better alternate version to No Surprise. The lyrics are basically the same expression of a depressed sense but are sung much better and with more feeling. The instrumentation is great and flows well throughout this song. Really the last good song on the album. Great guitar solo and one of the best ones on the record.

12. The Tourist: This song could go either way for people, me i thought it was in the middle. Everything is there to make this song great. Good singing, lyircs, and instrumentation. There also is how long it drags on with the same real direction with no real change except a little speed up guitar towards the end otherwise its the same. This is a love or hate song and will be for most but i couldnt decide on which i loved or hated.

The  track is bare able to listen too but really nothing else in my opinion. This is not the Franz Ferdinand that the “Take Me Out” fans i think will enjoy. Its dance music from their new album due sometime this year. This is supposedly the first single…..i hope that changes. All in all it is a song that will most likely get popular for a bit and then fall to the back of the shelf. The music is tight and flows well with the lyrics but then again the lyrics are bland and unoriginal. Youtube it, buy it, or whatever you want to do but heed my warning……you may like it now but you will get bored.

On My Way – Ben Kweller (2004)

Overall:    Excellent

1. I Need You Back: A song that needs to grow on you. You may listen to it and not come back to it, but i do suggest that you do. It does grow on you and you cant help but sing it.
2. Hospital Bed: A song that doesnt really have a good hook, but a good message. At the end though he starts to sound like Oppy from Family Guy and that kinda kills listening to the ned of the song. Overall good song.
3. My Apartment: Decent hook, you find yourself singing it but not really remembering the rest of the song. The instrumentation is what saves this song from a lower rating. Good guitar and good drum back beat make it stable.
4. On My Way: Very very mellow, deep lyrics, simple acoustic guitar. Sounds at his best on this song in my opinion on the album. This is Kweller maturing in his songwriting and singing abilities.
5. The Rules: Pointless lyrics really, but good hook. Instrumentation again saves this song in my opinion. A very nice solo by Mike Stroud, brings something to Kweller’s music that just wasnt there before. A pure jam and  crowd pleasing song,
6. Down: Good lyrics, good instrumentation but i felt this song should have been more mellow, not uptempo. Its more of a coming of age song that should be sung with a hush and piano. But maybe im the only one. Otherwise just a generic great Kweller song.
7. Living Life:  This is where the album really picks up. In my opinion Kwellers best songs come out when he is playing the piano. This song is beautiful and majestic and a great piece of work. As a little 70’s pop hook and it works great for this song. One of his best works. So simple yet overpowering.
8. Ann Disaster: Wow, fun fun song to listen to. Lets start with the ability of Mike Stroud. Wow can this guy play a wicked guitar, the solo is amazing, Zeppelin-esc in spots. Kweller sings amazing in this song as well, good upbeat song and really just a fun song to jump around to in concert or just in your basement with the volume turned all the way up.
9. Believer: A very good love song. Down to earth and deep. Simple in the instrumentation and presentation. You can tell in his voice how this song really touches him and the heart he puts into this song. He truly is in love and you can tell. Amazing.
10. Hear Me Out:  A harmonica driven song? Classic. This is one of the best tracks on the album. The lyrics can get a little confusing at times but you get the message in its hook and overall in the end. A harmonica solo is here as well, wow….wow. Dylan?
11. Different But The Same: Another piano song, seriously when Kweller again is at his best. mY not be his best piano song but its so deep and emotional that it really makes you think while really enjoying the song. Kweller really towards the end of this album is getting more mature with his lyrics. This track is definitely one of his more mature tracks. Great.