Stereogum presents OKX
Both Carmel and I are rather fond of Nathan Willett, the lead singer of Cold War Kids. By “rather fond” I mean “completely lose our shit over him at least once a day via IM because we are utter and complete dorks,” but whichever way you look at it, we love him and that band unconditionally. The first time I remember feeling this way was listening to Thom Yorke and Radiohead’s OK Computer, which was released ten years ago (!!!) on July 1st. I know there’s a generation of musicians and fans alike whose careers and lives were shaped, inspired and changed by this album — including our boy, Nathan — and there’s a reason it’s on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Definitive 200 list.
It’s flawless.
Some purists may argue that covering such an album is sacralige, but the kids over at Stereogum beg to differ. In celebration OK Computer‘s 10th anniversary, they’ve compiled OKX: A Tribute to OK Computer, featuring twelve of their most favorite indie bands and artists, including Slaraffenland (“Paranoid Android”), My Brightest Diamond (“Lucky”), Marissa Nadler (“No Surprises”) and, of course, Cold War Kids (“Electioneering”) covering each track of the classic album, forging an eclectic mix of emotion and intensity. The album and liner notes are available for download — free of charge — over at Stereogum’s OKX page, and additional tracks and b-sides will be made available throughout July. Full track listing after the jump.
1. DOVEMAN – "Airbag"
2. SLARAFFENLAND – "Paranoid Android"
3. MOBIUS BAND "“ "Subterranean Homesick Alien"
4. VAMPIRE WEEKEND "“ "Exit Music (For A Film)"
5. DAVID BAZAN'S BLACK CLOUD "“ "Let Down"
6. JOHN VANDERSLICE "“ "KARMA POLICE"
7. SAMSON DALONOGA (FEAT. THE FOUND SOUND ORCHESTRA) "“ "Fitter Happier"
8. COLD WAR KIDS "“ "Electioneering"
9. THE TWILIGHT SAD "“ "Climbing Up The Walls"
10. MARISSA NADLER (FEAT. BLACK HOLE INFINITY) "“ "No Surprises"
11. MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND "“ "Lucky"
12. FLASH HAWK PARLOR ENSEMBLE "“ "The Tourist"