howthesausageismade

OK Computer

by Radiohead · music · 1997

unverified

radiohead's third studio album, produced by nigel godrich, recorded between july 1996 and march 1997, mostly at st catherine's court mansion. after The Bends the label told them "do what you want and whatever you do next we'll totally back you," they asked for their own gear, their own studio, and to work with godrich, a young engineer who had produced the track "black star" when john leckie was at a wedding. the 2017 reissue was released after radiohead's back catalogue was acquired by xl recordings from emi in 2016.

godrich when leckie was at a wedding

sessions moved to st catherine's court, a 16th century mansion near bath owned by actress jane seymour. the cure had recorded Wild Mood Swings there the year prior. godrich set up the control room in the library, tracked most of the album live to an otari MTR-90II two-inch tape machine, and used the mansion's stone staircase to record the vocal reverb on "exit music (for a film)."[01]

what shaped this

the makers, scenes, and predecessors this work came out of, grouped by how the influence reached it

the makers behind the maker

  • The Bends · Radiohead

    producer lineage · nigel godrich, engineer

    Godrich engineered The Bends under John Leckie's production, then stepped into the producer role for OK Computer. He had worked directly with the band on The Bends as a technical operator, moving to full creative control on the next record.

    “Nigel Godrich, a young engineer who had recorded The Bends, was, for the first time, on board as producer in all but name”
    source ↗
  • Lucky · Radiohead

    producer lineage · john leckie and nigel godrich

    Lucky, recorded in 1995 with both Leckie and Godrich, became the foundational session that established Godrich as the fifth voice in the studio. The successful collaboration on that single-day session set the template for the full OK Computer production process.

    “The resulting track, "Lucky," was recorded in a single day with The Bends producer John Leckie and engineer Nigel Godrich. That September afternoon would mark the beginning of Godrich's place as Radiohead's "sixth member"”
    source ↗

the deal

  • The Bends · Radiohead

    referenced · EMI subsidiary label, Parlophone

    OK Computer was released on Parlophone, the EMI subsidiary that released The Bends. The label contract remained with EMI through both albums, though the band and label clashed over the commercial viability of OK Computer's sound.

    “Label: Parlophone; Capitol”
    source ↗

lineage

  • The Bends · Radiohead

    reacted against

    Radiohead explicitly rejected the guitar-centered aesthetic and introspective lyricism of The Bends. OK Computer marked a deliberate stylistic departure toward abstract themes and densely layered arrangements.

    “They distanced themselves from the guitar-centred, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, The Bends”
    source ↗

citations

every source this entry is built on

  1. [01]

    Deep Cuts: The Making of OK Computer - Audio Media Internationalsingle-source· article

    “A 16th century mansion owned by actress Jane Seymour (and previously used by The Cure…”