Exit Music is an interesting one. We were commissioned to supply a restored Mellotron for this album plus a selection of tape frames. We had recently acquired 18 Tangerine Dream frames and took them along. Jonny and Thom auditioned all the frames and chose three. One of those frames had the Eight Voice Choir sound. They were so knocked out that after we said our goodbyes, they recorded Exit Music that evening with the 'tron supplying the haunting choir that makes Exit Music so special! There's a mellotron all over the album but it wasn't a TD machine....honest!

This album found me on a June afternoon in 2005. I was 14 years old, and had just gone through a traumatic and heartbreaking experience and walked 40 blocks across the island I grew up on in the Puget Sound. I was walking through down the hill to the ferry terminal to buy a ticket. Head down, holding back tears, and experiencing what I feel was my first real wave of depression in my life. As I passed the line of cars waiting to board, I heard a faint sound in the distance. I followed the sound to a car with its drivers window rolled down, the stranger inside was completely spaced out listening to No Surprises when I approached him, uninvited. When the song ended he opened his eyes and was startled to see me standing beside him crying. He asked if I was okay and I told him no, but I felt the song had changed my perspective of my day and life. He told me it was Radioheads album, OK Computer. I told him I had heard Creep and knew of the band, but never really listened to them. He hit eject on his radio, and handed me the disc. I have listened to it in its entirety almost every single rainy day since. I don't know if I would be alive if it weren't for that stranger. This album is a part of me, embedded in my spirit. I'm forever grateful for him, and all the members of Radiohead.

Watching musicians geek out over Radiohead is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world.

That vocal harmony at the end of Let Down is maybe my favorite part of any song ever.

The falsetto bit in Let Down = goosebumps every time

*That* moment in Exit Music slays me every single time. And I must have heard this album a hundred times.

A masterpiece. I have listened to this album hundreds of times and it never gets old. There are so many nuances. It’s so complex but somehow all fits together perfectly. To me this is hands down the best album in the last 30 years.

Time stamp part 1 3:29 Airbag 9:12 Paranoid Android 18:12 Subteranean Homesick Alien 23:23 Exit Music ( for a film ) 30:20 Let Down 36:55 Karma Police I really like ur reaction dough, this what people need to know, how gorgeus they are making this album I hope yall enjoy it

Paranoid Android is like the Bohemian Rhapsody of alternative music.

Subterranean Homesick Alien is still one of the most beautiful compositions I've ever heard. It never fails to completely suck me in. 26 years later and it still affects me the same way it did when I first heard it.

I watched Romeo and Juliet in the cinema and remember when Exit Music kicked in, everyone stayed in their seats and watched all the credits and listened to the song. An amazing song and perfect for the end of that film

Radiohead has written some of the the best movie songs to never appear in any films.

This album is absolutley sensational, like nearly all of Radiohead's music. I could say that "Exit Music" is one of their greatest ever songs, but they have so many.

Radiohead would probably hate this but- being 17 when Dark Side of the Moon was released and 42 when OK was released- I felt these recordings were similar in proving genius and serving as a musical touchstone for a generation. I hope OK sustains the attention it deserves as has Dark Side. Both made the world a better place to be an alienated music lover!

Came for "Let Down" Up there with the best songs ever recorded

I love this guy’s ability to pick out notes and chords out of thin air. Definitely provides a unique perspective.

I don't often revisit Radiohead, but whenever I do, it is always with a sense of wonder and appreciation.

OKComputer for me is probably the greatest album of all time, the production is immaculate and this is probably where Nigel Godrich really made a name for himself having been engineer previously but Thom liked working with him so much that he effectively made him the sixth member of the band. It's a true soundscape, without going into the wall of sound, everything is there for a reason and it all makes sense, even if you wouldn't normally do anything like this at all. The album still sounds as relevant and fresh today as it did when it was released - it sounds like it could have been released today, and that is the mark of a truly great album for me.

One of those albums that just came along, raised the bar, and there that bar still stands.

"Subterranean Homesick Alien" is one of my favourite tunes from Radiohead. If it starts playing in the background I can't pay atention to anything else...

Jonny Greenwood (who plays guitar, keyboards and several other instruments) has a background in music, and he's into stuff like Penderecki and Messiaen. Some of that influence bleeds into Radiohead's output, specially in more recent albums. He's even been nominated for two Oscars for his soundtrack work.

Absolutely love the theoretical analysis! Please keep going with Radiohead's discography. It only gets more interesting.

Album came out 1997. At this time, rock guitar was going out of fashion. Classic rock Zeppelin-style was long gone, prog rock and punk rock was gone. Grunge was going out. Kurt Cobain passed away. Basically, Radiohead came along and said "here's a new way we can use electric guitar to compose music". A landmark album.

Ah man, the bass on Airbag. Still amazing after all these years.

Let Down is by far my favourite Radiohead song.

ALL Radiohead albums sound jarring at first but within jut a few plays they become all time classics. FACT!! I like to call them Punk Floyd.

Well this was thoroughly enjoyable. My favorite Radiohead analysis vids are from people who really know music (whereas I have no words to describe what I'm hearing). It's a gift to be able to listen to music like this, so thanks for lending your expertise.

The first three songs are brilliant, but I've always been especially blown away by the sound of Subterranean. What an act of creation.

'Let down' is for me the centrepiece of a star-studded album. Lyrically and musically appropriate, telling and resigned.

I really like this reaction because you're not over doing it. A lot of these "react to x song" videos feel like they're mostly just fan service. Here I feel like you're not trying to project some huge emotion onto your analysis, you're just really good at analysis and that in itself is interesting

imagine this kind gentleman reacting to the 1997 album Homogenic by Björk

The power of Exit Music hits me every time.

Those background noises on Exit Music always paints for me a scene where tragic, troubled characters move through an obliviously happy world, like a sunny day with kids playing around. It makes it really emotional for me, and I find it (very appropriately) so cinematic. What a fantastic production. Also, I can't wait for Climbing Up the Walls! What an experience of a song.

Your reaction to Exit Music... It reminds me of the first time I listened to it and it completely blew my mind. The music and the story... Perfect.

This album is perfect. A masterpiece.

What a treat to watch an educated guy getting into Radiohead for the first time like this. Very cool how closely he pays attention to the lyrics, trying to draw out every drop of the experience this album can offer

I have known about Radiohead for years but now, I've finally found them. I dont have any regrets that it has taken all these years to realise what i have been missing, but embracing the fact that i can enjoy there music "fresh" 😊 happy days

I came across your channel while I on a Radiohead reaction video binge just a couple of weeks ago. This is certainly a fantastic way to start off the weekend. Can’t wait for part 2!

Interestingly, Hans Zimmer (who wrote the score for Interstellar - I'm just reminded from the Airbag lyric) cites Jonny Greenwood as his favourite Film Composer. That's some acclaim!

Exit Music sounds like a piece of music that could have been found on a scroll in the basement of a 17th century Austrian church. The structure of that song is on par with the finest pieces of classical music ever made. Such a sophisticated composition.

More or less 25 years loving this album, and now you make me discover and appreciate new aspects and details among the countless layers of these tracks; thank you 🙂🙂🙂

I love Doug's reactions; Especially his occasional questioning look towards the camera 😄

One of the most timeless albums ever produced.

This album completely changed the way I listened to music. In my opinion it was one of the masterpieces of the 90s. I was fortunate enough to see them play live 3 times between '97 and 2002. To see them play this music live was life changing musically for me.

The perfect transition, from Radiohead's early quiet pop into more experimental music (I'd love to see you react to later experimental tracks, such as "Everything in its right place"). This album went into completely new and unexpected territory (who expected the King Crimson-like opening of "Airbag"?) and is so deep that you can hear it 100 times and find something new every time. Unforgettable and often spine-tingling music. BTW, the piano break in "Karma Police" is very heavily influenced by The Beatles' song "Sexy Sadie".

There are no mistakes in Radiohead music, everything is where it’s supposed to be. Please try the earlier albums especially the bends. You will love it

Your ear for progressions and melodies is the best part about this channel. Thank you!

Love watching someone connect with a band that I love and bringing their own observations and expertise! Thank you!

This is one of the best albums ever. I hammered that album and listened to it for months and months - literally.

Saw them just after this was released. Epic. The set was basically this album and “the Bends”. Massive, powerful and ethereal all at once.

At least once a year I have to sit in a dark room, get my head straight and listen to this album from start to finish with headphones. Nothing else like it on Earth.

OK Computer is one of the best albums in my lifetime across genres. Every time I hear it I discover something new, and the harmonies are so beautiful. Moon Shaped Pool is almost as good imo.

Wow- it was amazing seeing someone hear this incredible album for the first time - so many amazing songs :) Super looking forward to part 2! (Though my fav few songs are on part 1)

I remember buying the album when it came out, in my late teens. I put it on, sat down on my bed….. and the world disappeared. When it finished, I was still sitting on my bed, the album still in hand and tears rolling down my face…..

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching this. This band is special. This album truly is one of those that defined my musical tastes.

Great work, as usual, Doug. Your ears are always open and ready to absorb whatever you encounter, analyze it, and give your considered opinion of what you've heard. And you always find at least some good in everything that I've seen you listen to. (It's why I've kept coming back for more.) Can't wait to hear you do the other six tracks. Thanks, Dr. Doug!

This album blew my mind when it first came out, and still does.

Ok computer is radiohead’s most recognized and celebrated records but I think their best is In Rainbows, it really takes all of their records into one sound that is just masterful. Definitely worth checking out

I'm really enjoying all the love for "Let Down," as it is certainly an amazing song, and it holds a special place in my heart, where Radiohead is concerned. To be brief, it's the song that first hooked me, in a music store, back in '97. I bought the album right there, and they've been my favorite band for over twenty-five years now. All of OK Computer is music of rare quality - one of the very best records ever made.

Loved this episode especially anticipating Doug’s reaction to what I knew was coming in the tracks. Can’t wait for part 2!

Didn’t realise I needed a classical composer air drumming to Radiohead in my life, but it seems that apparently I do 😁 Fantastic review and video, I’ll definitely be subscribing to your channel.

I've been listening to this albums since the day it came out and it still astonishes me every listen. It's such a rich tapestry of sounds and ideas, I'll be listening to it forever.

What a great reaction! Thank you for giving me such an insight into Exit Music For a Film! I always appreciated it individually for it's dark theme, but I never knew about the connection to Romeo and Juliet! It has so much more resonance for me now.🙏

They knocked the world off its feet when this was released. Which was not at all what they wanted, to become celebrities. They took their own path, and their next album, Kid A, is about as different from OK Computer as it could be. They never stand still, always progress, going from one idea to another. Five brilliant musicians, and arguably two of them are geniuses. Johnny Greenwood also writes screenplays. He's been shortlisted for an Oscar twice (I think it's twice) for There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread. Something that marks out Radiohead for me is their honesty.

So glad you truly appreciate RH. The first time I heard this album in ‘98 I played it 10 times straight. It just blew me away. What a perfect blend of composition and raw rock and roll attitude. So creative. You also need to listen to Johnny Greenwood’s film scores. He is just amazing. They are on the creative level of Gentle Giant for me, just expressed in such a different way.

My top 5 albums of all time : The Wall (Pink Floyd), Ok Computer (Radiohead), Permanent Waves (Rush), Unforgettable Fire (U2) and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Iron Maiden). Honorable mentions to : Dirt (Alice in chains), Little Earthquakes (Tori Amos), The Joshua Tree (U2), Mezzanine (Massive Attack) and Moving Pictures (Rush).

Can't wait for part 2! Thank you, I've got a totally new view on the lyrics although came for music analysis (which also got). Thank you a lot.

I was a Radiohead fan for the longest time...when i first heard OK Computer, i have already been hearing their past albums. OK Computer was evolutionary..it was magical and still is...to me, it is such a genius musical artwork. It accompanied me during my travels to and from school and everywhere during my teens. The emotions and feelings i got from listening to OK Computer just cant be described.

Just randomly came across this video and channel. OK Computer completely changed my perspective on music. I was working in a jeans store in summer 97 when I bought this album, and my manageress allowed me to play it in the store. Watching your reaction as a composer to that opening to " Airbag " reminded me of how she reacted. In her case, she did a kind of dramatic impression of a classical conductor guiding their orchestra. It was quite a funny reaction. Musically it really wasn't her thing, much like everyone I knew at the time, but I could tell she was at least intrigued by it. I still love Radiohead to bits, but because I played this album to death when it came out, it's a long time since I've listened to it again in full. Seeing you listen this now has reminded me just how superb it was.

Yep mellotron..good ear sir! These guys are brilliant and every album after this just gets more and more interesting..certainly worth your time!

I want to see the next 6 songs!! amazing content! congrats!

I needed this today - thanks Doug! What an amazing album. I also have the special vinyl edition released a couple of years ago and it sounds sublime. Can't wait to hear the next part.

I wish I had the opportunity to hear Exit Music for the first time. Your face and reaction were priceless. I wanted to go back to my teenage years and listen to this beautiful song and the album for the first time. They changed my perspective upon life, and music at the same time. Absolute masterpiece!

Great reactions, as usual. Many thanks!!

Excellent reaction with nuanced insight into composition and musciality. I've been hoping for more Radiohead from you and here it is.

Thanks for letting me re-experience this work, especially with your expert commentary. I haven't listened to for for years.

Seeing Doug’s surprise at some of the chord choices is great 😂

This record, in addition to being chock full of beautiful and interesting music, is a triumph in album sequencing. Its not just about nifty, if unusual harmonic structures and soundscapes. The record really takes you on a journey. The next song begins on an interesting interval from the end of the song before it. There is a wonderful juxtaposition between energy levels from song to song. The entire presentation is just so well thought out and so well put together. I really enjoyed your analysis, Doug. Magnificent record.

I just have to say how much I appreciate this listening style. Listening to the album with Doug is a fresh way of hearing an album that i have listened to at least 100, maybe a couple hundred times. The research he’s done, the perfect pitch and awesome knowledge of music, and the expression of the sensations of listening to the music for the first time - it’s just an overall awesome video. Thanks, Doug, for the great content.

Watching this made me incredibly happy. Thank you.

You forgot to mention the amazing album artwork, which supports the music and the themes beautifully. All Radiohead artwork is amazing.

Every now and again a band seem to tap into a collective angst we all recognise without even realising it was there. Floyd did it and that sense of unease is present in Radiohead’s music too. This album was Dark Side for the next generation and for me it is every bit of a masterpiece as that legendary album.

This is utterly enjoyable to see someone so knowledgeable about music listen to one of my most listened to bands, and albums of all time. It's nice to know, whether approached intellectually or emotionally, the notes hit the same emotive nerves for both listeners.

I love it when people who were part of an album chime in like this! OK Computer probably is my favorite album ever. I bought the CD shortly after it came out and shortly after went on a road trip to Atlanta from Michigan and listened to the album over and over all the way down and back. Admittedly I felt a tad depressed while listening to the album 😂. But it is such a work of art. Thank you for chiming in on this!

Certainly one of the greatest albums of all time - definitely top 10. If you said it was the greatest, I would not argue with you.

It's amazing how quickly Radiohead songs become a part of you, like they always have been.

Youre awesome, subscribed! Please do a series with their whole discog. Hearing you break down all pieces of the music so swiftly and with such precision is very refreshing. Definitely an expert, and your pace is a great fit for my attention deficit haha. I really hope to see more!

I have been waiting for this!!! Thank you Doug for reacting to this!

This is the album of my life. It came out when I was 12 years old, and the band defined my teenage years. I don't think I will ever love another piece of music as much.

I am astounded by your ability to find the keys in music. I have absolutely no concept of how you (and others) can do that. Fascinating! Great album and great response, by the way.

Loved your analysis, thank you. For a first time listen you got a lot into and out of it, mainly the harmonic structures and a some into the dissonance/assonance of it. I’d be interested in a replay after you listening to it for a year. Fresh like a bug in the ground.

I love your reaction videos… they are the epitome of playing your friend your favourite music and hoping they get it…. And they do

I've never listened to this album either. Wow. A fan for sure. I watched the written music for each song while watching, very interesting!! I love the album so far.

This album is a masterpiece from start to finish, so many layers, vocals are incredible - it's an album i need to be in the mood for, but never fails to satisfy when i am in the mood.

Just found your channel - what a GREAAT idea! Will be re listening but I really enjoy your insights.

I love his facial expression in reaction to the guitar solo in Paranoid Androd at 12:35. This song is definitly a revelation, i did not know untill last week that the lyrics are based on the character Marvin from "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy".

I do consider this a concept album, one of the best ones ever made. Radiohead was decades ahead of their time with OK Computer and it's one of the best albums ever made; "masterpiece" fits.

Thank you for your videos and for listening to OK Computer, one of my 3 favourite albuns and all 3 are #1 for me!

I love the soundscapes of this album. It brings back amazing memories for me. I moved to Tokyo in 2000 and this was one of my favorite albums to explore an alien landscape to. The use of flat 7ths and 5ths on this album is some of my favorite examples. The lyrics are a fantastic ride. Great pick. I really prefer these reaction videos when they begin to bring together the artistic vision of the enture piece of art and not just one track. Thanks to you.

One suggestion I'd humbly make to Doug and those new to OK Computer (Lucky bastards): listen to the album in one fell swoop. The way the tracks merge and blend is another stroke of Radiohead's genius. I think Doug alluded to it when he said something about so many songs being unfinished. For my money OK Computer is an album that must be listened to in its entirety without interruption to really get with it.