O.K. Computer Bass Appreciation

DONZI97 · #1 07-09-2010, 09:16 AM

Driving home from work this morning and listened to OK Computer for the millionth time, and really realized how perfect Collin Greenwoods bass lines sit in the mix with at times 3 guitars, drums, and electronic effects. Its like perfect, I know I am biased because he is one of my faves, but man, he just grooves nicely and is not overplaying.

foq1978 · #2 07-09-2010, 09:56 AM

It's perfect. Airbag has one of my favourite basslines ever.

Here are some of my favourite Radiohead basslines:
http://hearthebass.blogspot.com/search/label/Radiohead

jbl71004 · #3 07-09-2010, 10:02 AM

Perhaps my favorite CD of all time. The bass playing is so perfect, so tasteful! I was listening to Let Down and No Surprises yesterday. The bass is right where it needs to be. Nothing fancy, but Collin makes every note count!

BigOldHarry · #4 07-09-2010, 10:06 AM

Great album - with one thing really standing out to me throughout -no one instrument dominates, stands out, overwhelms. It's almost orchestral in that respect. One of my favorites - and I'm an old dude!

Demon_Hunter · #5 08-06-2010, 08:18 PM

I finally bought this CD after it being missing for about 10 years....and holy crap...I forgot how much I loved it!!!

Can't get enough of Paranoid Android

gregoryisrael · #6 08-06-2010, 08:28 PM

100% agree on this post. Kudos X 100,000,000.
Colin just knows exactly what to do. I really admire his minimalistic approach, really laying under but tying up all the other frills in Radioheads sound.

Queg · #7 08-06-2010, 08:39 PM

Yes, I recall I really didn't want to like them cuz you know, they're so cool and all. But one time I was attending one of their concerts and during "Airbag" my friend turn to me and said "wouldn't you love to be playing that bass line?" and I admitted that I would.

blondmix3 · #8 08-06-2010, 08:41 PM

Yes, definitely one of the all-time great albums! Not a skip-worthy song on there....

Audiophage · #9 08-06-2010, 09:37 PM

I really like the distorted bass on Exit Music. When it kicks in it really makes the tune.

jsamuel · #10 08-07-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foq1978

It's perfect. Airbag has one of my favourite basslines ever.

That is some sick bass playing. I read somewhere (probably wikipedia) that it wasn't intended to be the final bass line, he was planning to come back to it and 'fill in the gaps'

retardedpossum · #11 08-07-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsamuel

That is some sick bass playing. I read somewhere (probably wikipedia) that it wasn't intended to be the final bass line, he was planning to come back to it and 'fill in the gaps'

I love this bass line!

markjazzbassist · #12 08-07-2010, 06:22 PM

great record and great bass work. just goes to show that you don't need slap,pop,tap, etc. to make it work. sometimes just a couple simple notes work best

Deluge Of Sound · #13 08-09-2010, 01:16 AM

Good record...

They've done better.

Simorchid · #14 08-09-2010, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Great album - with one thing really standing out to me throughout -no one instrument dominates, stands out, overwhelms. It's almost orchestral in that respect. One of my favorites - and I'm an old dude!

A credit to the band and Nigel Godrich's amazing production.

Simorchid · #15 08-09-2010, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsamuel

That is some sick bass playing. I read somewhere (probably wikipedia) that it wasn't intended to be the final bass line, he was planning to come back to it and 'fill in the gaps'

And it's the gaps that make it so effective as a bass line. Less is definitely more 99.999% of the time.

dalkowski · #16 08-09-2010, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondmix3

Yes, definitely one of the all-time great albums! Not a skip-worthy song on there....

I usually skip over "Fitter Happier," but I'd still demand OK Computer on my desert isle.

Side note: I love Toots & the Maytals' cover of "Let Down" on "Radiodread." Toots is a force of nature and "Let Down" is in my RH Top 5.

Nickthebass · #17 08-10-2010, 03:48 AM

+1 on the Radiodread thing...

In fact the whole Radiodread album is amazing. Reminds me how good the song writing is on Ok Computer as it's easier to hear past all the production and arrangements.

If you like OK Computer you must check out Radiodread.

If you listen very carefully you can hear the sound of 5 slightly miserable men from Oxford giggling at the wonderful sound of Johnny Greenwood's guitar parts being played on trombone.

RHFusillo · #18 08-10-2010, 01:40 PM

I was 10 years late getting to OK Computer, but I regard it as an almost perfect record. Colin Greenwood's bass playing has never knocked me out like Phil Selway's drumming does, but I've realized that the beauty of Greenwood's bass playing is that he usually sounds to me like he's playing a composed part. The bass lines do not often call attention to themselves (except occasionally, as in parts of "Paranoid Android") -- they work just right.