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In Rainbows Kid A OK Computer Radiohead

The Lost Radiohead album

Take some time today to read this article about how Radiohead’s OK Computer and In Rainbows were meant to complement each other. Now, this is just speculation but some interesting points have been raised. What do you think?

Ten years after OK Computer shocked the world, Radiohead released In Rainbows on October 10 (10/10). Though no one was expecting the album to be released until 2008, Radiohead announced In Rainbows just ten days in advance. In Rainbows, which consists of ten letters, has ten tracks, and would be downloadable from a rumored ten servers.

Radiohead preceded the release of In Rainbows with nine cryptic messages. They repeatedly emphasized X, the Roman Numeral for ten, in phrases such as “March Wa X”, and “Xendless Xurbia”. The tenth message was posted on October 10 with a photo of the band drinking tea.

There has been a lot of speculation over Radiohead’s emphasis of ten surrounding the release of In Rainbows. One theory suggests that Radiohead was typifying a binary code of ones and zeros,1010101010. This has come to be known as the Binary Theory, also called the TENspiracy by some.

Puddlegum first addressed the Binary Theory in Radiohead: 1010101010. Someone associated with Thom Yorke contacted Puddlegum, sharing Thom’s reaction to Puddlegum’s article:

“The meaning behind all of this is right in front of our faces, we’re just overlooking it. [Thom] has been expecting an article much like this one for a couple of years, as have I. But I’m willing to wager he’ll have fun waiting a few more. On the other hand, it seems to annoy him that no one ‘gets it’ yet, given the mountain of clues.”

Ten days after our original article, we have come to believe that OK Computer and In Rainbowswere meant to complement each other. During the writing and recording process of OK Computer, Radiohead used the working title of Zeros and Ones. If OK Computer is represented by 01, and In Rainbows is represented by 10, then we have 01 and 10. In binary code 01 and 10 complement each other.

Consider that In Rainbows was meant to complement OK Computer, musically, lyrically, and in structure. We found that the two albums can be knit together beautifully. By combining the tracks to form one playlist, 01 and 10, we have a remarkable listening experience. The transitions between the songs are astounding, and it appears that this was done purposefully.

The lyrics also seem to complement each other. There appears to be a concept flowing through the01 and 10 playlist. Ideas in one song is picked up by the next, such as “Pull me out of the aircrash,”and “When I’m at the pearly gates, this will be my videotape.”

To create the 01 and 10 playlist, begin with OK Computer’s track one, Airbag, and follow this with In Rainbow’s track one, 15 Step. Alternate the albums, track by track, until you reach Karma Police onOK Computer, making All I Need the tenth track on the 01 and 10 playlist. Follow Karma Police withFitter Happier from OK Computer, for tracks eleven and twelve. These two tracks act as a bridge between the first ten and the following ten tracks on the 01 and 10 playlist. Then continue to alternate the albums again, picking up with Faust Arp on In Rainbows, with Electioneering on OK Computeras the following track.

Radiohead – 01 and 10 playlist:
1. Airbag (OK Computer)
2. 15 Step (In Rainbows)
3. Paranoid Android (OK Computer)
4. Bodysnatchers (In Rainbows)
5. Subterranean Homesick Alien (OK Computer)
6. Nude (In Rainbows)
7. Exit Music (For A Film) (OK Computer)
8. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (In Rainbows)
9. Let Down (OK Computer)
10. All I Need (In Rainbows)
11. Karma Police (OK Computer)
12. Fitter Happier (OK Computer)
13. Faust Arp (In Rainbows)
14. Electioneering (OK Computer)
15. Reckoner (In Rainbows)
16. Climbing Up The Walls (OK Computer)
17. House Of Cards (In Rainbows)
18. No Surprises (OK Computer)
19. Jigsaw Falling Into Place (In Rainbows)
20. Lucky (OK Computer)
21. Videotape (In Rainbows)
22. The Tourist (OK Computer)

Cracked.com has more about this, as well as a conspiracy theory about Kid A.

(via Kottke)

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OK Computer Radiohead Thom Yorke

Flashback: Lift

Okay, this is our last flashback of the day. In going with the mid 90s theme of never-released songs, we now look at the very popular live song, “Lift.” It was played regularly in 1996 on tour and is the only Radiohead song where Thom actually refers to himself by name in the lyrics. Well, that is until the song was reworked in 2002. This brings us back to those pre-OK Computer days where a lot of fans thought (and hoped) that it would be included on the album.

Here’s the original:

And the reworked version from 2002:

Which one do you prefer?

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Jonny Greenwood OK Computer Radiohead

Flashback: Paranoid Android on Jools Holland

We’ve linked to this performance before and thought that it deserved another mention. One of the better performances of “Paranoid Android” occurred on Later… with Jools Holland back in 1997. It’s clearly evident why Jonny used to wear that brace on his wrist due to RSI (repetitive strain injury). He abuses that guitar… in a good way.

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OK Computer Radiohead

Regina Spektor covers “No Surprises”

Regina Spektor No Surprises

Regina Spektor has released a cover of Radiohead’s “No Surprises” which you can purchase on iTunes. All proceeds will go to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund to help victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

Here’s a streamable version for you to listen to:

To purchase the track, head on over to iTunes.

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Amnesiac Hail to the Thief In Rainbows Kid A OK Computer Pablo Honey Radiohead The Bends

15 Years of Radiohead: Photos from “Pablo Honey” to “In Rainbows”

Jonny Greenwood performing at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 1994.
Jonny Greenwood performing at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 1994.

Rollingstone.com has a slideshow gallery of photos spanning 15 years of Radiohead. Check them out!

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Colin Greenwood OK Computer Radiohead

Mark Linkous RIP

From Colin at Dead Air Space:

I was very sad to hear the news that Mark Linkous has died. He and his band toured with us in Europe, at the start of OK Computer, and they were great every night. His first two records were very important to me, and I carried his music from the tour into my life, and my friends’ lives too. He was softly spoken, with an Old South courtesy I hadn’t heard before: he introduced me to Daniel Johnston’s music, and the West Virginian writing of Pinckney Benedict. Mark wrote and played some beautiful music, and we’re lucky to have it. Rest in Peace.