Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’ Will Be Archived in the Library of Congress
Radiohead's OK Computer is viewed as one of the best albums of the band's career by critics and fans alike. And now it looks like the Library of Congress sees it that way, too, as the 1997 record will be included in the 2015 registry, which was announced earlier today (March 25).
"I see it as part of a certain ongoing phenomenon in rock music that maybe begins with The Velvet Underground but also The Doors, who are on the registry this year," Library of Congress curator Matt Barton said in a statement. "Pop music is not entirely positive in its outlook, shall we say. I think we can say that OK Computer really sums a lot of that up.”
Each year the Library of Congress selects 25 recordings that are culturally, historically or aesthetically significant,” and are at least 10 years old.
The induction list also includes Joan Baez self-titled first album, the Doors' 1967 self-titled debut, Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Sly and the Family Stone's Stand!, New Orleans’ Sweet Emma Barrett and her Preservation Hall Jazz Band from 1964 and Ben E. King's legendary 1961 single, "Stand By Me." Steve Martin’s second comedy album, A Wild and Crazy Guy, and radio coverage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's funeral will also be among the chosen archives.
With this year's selections, the total number of archived recordings will be at 425.
Listen to Radiohead's "Karma Police" below and reminisce about why it's such a great record: