No Surprises

Tweet

Radiohead's breakthrough album, "OK Computer" was seminal in gaining worldwide acclaim. In its time, it has been compared to Pink Floyd's excellent "Dark Side Of The Moon". The album is ten years old now. All the songs in that album are excellent in terms of melodies and songwriting, despite its often dark and desolate subject matter. In my opinion, there are only two weak tracks in "Fitter Happier" and "Electioneering". The main subject matter that course throughout the album are the shallow and vacant lives of people living in today's modern society. A society that places technology on a pedestal. As someone puts it "technology for technology sake", and doesn't improve a person's quality of life. I'd been listening to the album again after quite a long time. Just want to touch on one particular track here which was a favourite "No Surprises". The opening keyboard sound makes the song seem like a lullaby. On a good system, the bass is heavy but tight. And lead singer, Thom Yorke's voice works effectively in conveying a sense of resignation in the everyday life. Tired is not a feeling i would ascribe to this song even after repeated listening. But daily living does tend to get monotonous when people reached a certain age. There is a feeling of "sameness" in each day. Life surprises seemed far and in between the daily grind. Like the words to the song: "A heart that's full up like a landfill A job that slowly kills you Bruises that won't heal You look so tired, unhappy Bring down the government They don't, they don't speak for us I'll take a quiet life A handshake of carbon monoxide With no alarms and no surprises No alarms and no surprises No alarms and no surprises Silent, silent"