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on July 7, 2017
This review is for the CD version
If you are a Radiohead fan considering upgrading their best album this is worth it. The remastering on the album was done by Bob Ludwig one of the best mastering engineers in the world and the album sounds great. There isn't anything radically different (like the Sgt peppers remix) but it definitely sounds a little more crisp then the 97 release.
The main reason to buy this anniversary edition is not the slightly better mastering but the inclusion of b-sides and previously unreleased tracks.The highlight of this release is the three previously unreleased songs and B-sides. All three of the unreleased tracks are great, my favorite being Man of War.
The CD packaging mirrors the vinyl release in that it comes in a cardboard slip case. There isn't any linear booklet which is kind of a drag but doesn't take away from the product overall.
In summary if you love Radiohead this anniversary edition is great. The new remaster is a slight improvement over the 97 release but nothing earth shattering. The bonus disc will give fans greater insight on a band during the period when they crafted one of the greatest albums of all time.
If you are a Radiohead fan considering upgrading their best album this is worth it. The remastering on the album was done by Bob Ludwig one of the best mastering engineers in the world and the album sounds great. There isn't anything radically different (like the Sgt peppers remix) but it definitely sounds a little more crisp then the 97 release.
The main reason to buy this anniversary edition is not the slightly better mastering but the inclusion of b-sides and previously unreleased tracks.The highlight of this release is the three previously unreleased songs and B-sides. All three of the unreleased tracks are great, my favorite being Man of War.
The CD packaging mirrors the vinyl release in that it comes in a cardboard slip case. There isn't any linear booklet which is kind of a drag but doesn't take away from the product overall.
In summary if you love Radiohead this anniversary edition is great. The new remaster is a slight improvement over the 97 release but nothing earth shattering. The bonus disc will give fans greater insight on a band during the period when they crafted one of the greatest albums of all time.
on July 7, 2017
Hauntingly beautiful vocals over tense and complex layers of guitar and piano driven by Phil's ever present force on the drums. Timeless sounds and themes of isolation and corruption of technology.
These 3 heavy duty records are perfectly packaged and surrounded by familiar art. The 8 newly included b-sides fit very well into the original album. On the vinyl version they've all been put together onto the third album. I actually thought they mixed in very well in the order the mp3 album placed them. I'm sure many would rather be able to listen through the original as is.
Overall very happy with the sound, appearance, quality and excuse to spend so much time with a familiar favorite.
These 3 heavy duty records are perfectly packaged and surrounded by familiar art. The 8 newly included b-sides fit very well into the original album. On the vinyl version they've all been put together onto the third album. I actually thought they mixed in very well in the order the mp3 album placed them. I'm sure many would rather be able to listen through the original as is.
Overall very happy with the sound, appearance, quality and excuse to spend so much time with a familiar favorite.
on July 11, 2017
This is my second copy of this record. I'm very excited and pleased with all the b sides and unreleased material on vinyl. The remastering sounds great, at least what I can hear through all the noise. Some of the sides are near perfect, but several have lots of noise and distortion problems. The first copy I received had a very loud pop on side 4, making it unlistenable. It had a visible scratch or gouge on the record right out of the box. I haven't listened to the second copy yet, but already I see another very large scratch on the first record (pic below). I'm going to try and make one good copy out of the two I have received and return the faulty discs. If not, I'll probably just return for a refund and order directly from W.A.S.T.E.
on July 15, 2017
As I keep coming back to this album anyway, it's great to have more to listen to. Though a friend of mine who is also a Radiohead fan likes to put down those still hung up on their older stuff, I just can't get over the beauty and sadness of this album. In fact, I find their later 'experimental ' stuff too reminiscent of Subotnick and other early pioneers of electronic music, so this and The Bends is where they had their highest artistic drive going. First glance can make them seem like one of the glut of dour 'alternative rock' that made college stations so monotonous, but get just a couple minutes in and you'll see Radiohead has FAR more to offer.
on July 7, 2017
This is a very poorly made pressing of an amazing record. Apparently, the good reviews I'd read about this reissue only pertain to the EU/UK pressings because this US made pressing is awful. The surface static and no-fill noise at the beginning and end of each side is unacceptable. Certain parts of the vocals and electric guitar are distorted and the 3rd disc is warped.
I can't find any information yet on where this particular pressing was made but this is exactly the sort of quality that comes out of the United Record Pressings plant. The EU/UK pressings were made by Optimal Media GmbH and they're supposed to be very high quality. This particular copy is definitely not high quality. The identifying etching on the runout is: BAZZA ALCHEMY IP XLLP 868-A2. It's the number 2 at the end that identifies this as the US pressing.
I will return this for an exchange to see if I just got a bad copy but my hopes aren't high. According to other reviews I'm lucky I got a 3rd disc at all. I'll amend this review if my replacement copy is decent.
UPDATE: I originally gave a review of one star for the terrible quality of the copy I received. I now have the replacement and it's like night and day. It isn't perfect but it's acceptable. The re-master is very good. They didn't hype up the bass and treble like most remasters - just great channel separation and clarity.
There is hope for people returning for exchanges! I'll never understand why every jazz record I buy is flawless but rock, folk, hip-hop is very often poorly pressed. A few weeks ago I got the new Fleet Foxes record and it's absolutely perfect. Guess what? It was pressed in the Netherlands. Good luck to everyone looking for a clean pressing of OKNOTOK.
I can't find any information yet on where this particular pressing was made but this is exactly the sort of quality that comes out of the United Record Pressings plant. The EU/UK pressings were made by Optimal Media GmbH and they're supposed to be very high quality. This particular copy is definitely not high quality. The identifying etching on the runout is: BAZZA ALCHEMY IP XLLP 868-A2. It's the number 2 at the end that identifies this as the US pressing.
I will return this for an exchange to see if I just got a bad copy but my hopes aren't high. According to other reviews I'm lucky I got a 3rd disc at all. I'll amend this review if my replacement copy is decent.
UPDATE: I originally gave a review of one star for the terrible quality of the copy I received. I now have the replacement and it's like night and day. It isn't perfect but it's acceptable. The re-master is very good. They didn't hype up the bass and treble like most remasters - just great channel separation and clarity.
There is hope for people returning for exchanges! I'll never understand why every jazz record I buy is flawless but rock, folk, hip-hop is very often poorly pressed. A few weeks ago I got the new Fleet Foxes record and it's absolutely perfect. Guess what? It was pressed in the Netherlands. Good luck to everyone looking for a clean pressing of OKNOTOK.
on July 11, 2017
First off Radiohead is definatly up there as a band that inspires me musically. To my surprise, as I was stuck in an airport I saw a rollingstone magazine that featured Radiohead's 20 year aniversary for OK COMPUTER. I decided I should get some discography. Surely enough this was it, this is an amazing cd set and I am very satisfied.
on July 7, 2017
The new releases on Disc 2 are worth the price alone. Disc 1 a supreme, super shine, polish on a pinnacle album.
on July 14, 2017
Love the music; quality of the product is poor. The last tracks of the second disc simply won't play or import at all. I've returned the product once already, and have the same problem with the replacement.
on July 10, 2017
Very poor quality control at the US pressing plant for this release.
Finally got a chance to listen to my black US press and once again I'm disappointed with another Radiohead LP.
Mine came absolutely covered in scratches and fingerprints on both discs (disc 1 has a large chip on the edge as well), it looks like they literally left them in a pile to wait for packaging.
Very audible surface noise, and some distortion.
The mastering is fantastic, however.
I really wish XL would stop choosing the bottom barrel bidder on their pressing plants for their US releases. I will be returning this, I am so sick of paying so much money for garbage. Hopefully my replacement is in better shape
Finally got a chance to listen to my black US press and once again I'm disappointed with another Radiohead LP.
Mine came absolutely covered in scratches and fingerprints on both discs (disc 1 has a large chip on the edge as well), it looks like they literally left them in a pile to wait for packaging.
Very audible surface noise, and some distortion.
The mastering is fantastic, however.
I really wish XL would stop choosing the bottom barrel bidder on their pressing plants for their US releases. I will be returning this, I am so sick of paying so much money for garbage. Hopefully my replacement is in better shape
