Who's in for a new MeFi Music Album Challenge?

June 8, 2012 1:50 PM

July 2012 MeFi Music Album Challenge: OK Computer [details inside]

In July 2009, MetaFilter Music’s challenge for the month was to cover the entire album of The Velvet Underground and Nico, one song at a time, with the songs assigned to the musicians in a master MeFi Music Talk post. You can listen to the results here.

Now we’re doing it again. Because of the potentially tricky nature of the album to be covered this time, we’re giving everyone a heads-up in advance so that everyone who wants to participate can, and so that we’ll have some lead time to work on tracks before the official start of the challenge on July 1.

The album: Radiohead’s OK Computer

How it works:

If you want to participate, just say so in this thread. In a few days, I’ll make a follow-up MetaTalk post making the song assignments.

Then work on your song. Do not post your song in MetaFilter Music until sometime between July 1 and July 31.

Starting July 1, post your song in MeFi Music, being sure to tag your submission "mefimusicchallenge" and “OKComputer” so listeners can easily follow along.

Some people love OK Computer. Others don’t. I hope musical MeFites will participate whether they like the album or not, since some of the most interesting submissions will likely come from people who have no particular love for the source material.

So who’s in?

posted by The World Famous to MetaFilter-Related at 1:50 PM (243 comments total)

I'm in!
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 1:54 PM on June 8, 2012

Why assign songs, though?

Also, can someone find me some sheet music for Exit Music and I'll take a shot at it? :)
posted by empath at 1:55 PM on June 8, 2012

Last time was GREAT. Count me in.
posted by snsranch at 1:57 PM on June 8, 2012

Why assign songs, though?

Maybe so you don't get 19 version of the hit song?
posted by cjorgensen at 1:59 PM on June 8, 2012

I think people should take up the Bieber Girlfriend contest as a music challenge.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:00 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm in
posted by InfidelZombie at 2:04 PM on June 8, 2012

I am totally, absolutely, completely in.
posted by koeselitz at 2:09 PM on June 8, 2012

Fortunately, we know the first chord of Paranoid Android is Cm.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 2:12 PM on June 8, 2012 [2 favorites]

Yay! The VU+N album was a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens with this one. I might even do more than my main assigned track.

Why assign songs, though?

Makes it a lot easier to get an even distribution of song entries that way instead of a two dozen versions of Karma Police. You can always be an iconoclast and cover whatever song you want anyway if that's how you roll.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:14 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Why assign songs, though?

Because it creates opportunities for creativity that wouldn't happen if people chose the song they really want to do. I would never have covered "Heroin" by The Velvet Underground if it had not been assigned to me. But I'm glad it was and I like the result. It also gives us a more even distribution of the songs.

That said, MetaFilter Music is generally open for submissions, and people are free to do whatever they want outside the boundaries of the challenge.

Fortunately, we know the first chord of Paranoid Android is Cm.

With a little luck, at least one person will cover it in a different key.
posted by The World Famous at 2:17 PM on June 8, 2012

I'll do it. Sure. Fine.
posted by dobie at 2:23 PM on June 8, 2012

*starts working on two dozen versions of Karma Chameleon*
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:29 PM on June 8, 2012 [7 favorites]

You can always be an iconoclast and cover whatever song you want anyway if that's how you roll.

That's what I'll probably have to do, because there's always a strong possibility I won't finish anyway and that would suck to get assigned a song someone else would love to have had assigned only to squander the opportunity.
posted by Hoopo at 2:31 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

on that note, is there a song on that album that is universally considered the least-favorite?
posted by Hoopo at 2:42 PM on June 8, 2012

Can anyone do a good Shatner impression? Can anyone do an impression of Shatner doing "Fitter Happier"?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:47 PM on June 8, 2012 [7 favorites]

To my everlasting shame and embarrassment there is nothing I can contribute to MeFi Music in terms of posts, but I will say from the back of the audience (down by the bar) that I'm looking forward to several covers of Paranoid Android from y'all.
posted by carsonb at 3:00 PM on June 8, 2012

i'll do it
posted by pyramid termite at 3:04 PM on June 8, 2012

I would like to be involved, yes.
posted by tigrefacile at 3:06 PM on June 8, 2012

i think melissa may wants to do a version of a song on this album at some point... so maybe?
posted by sleepy pete at 3:21 PM on June 8, 2012

Yes! I'm in!
posted by TwoWordReview at 3:23 PM on June 8, 2012

Can anyone do a good Shatner impression? Can anyone do an impression of Shatner doing "Fitter Happier"?

I can pretty much guarantee a bad Walken doing it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:26 PM on June 8, 2012 [6 favorites]

in
posted by Elmore at 3:50 PM on June 8, 2012

May I join in, or is that enough now?
posted by Grangousier at 3:55 PM on June 8, 2012

I will join carsonb down by the bar to tune in and listen. Excellent band/album choice for experimentation.
posted by headnsouth at 3:57 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm in.
posted by cmoj at 4:00 PM on June 8, 2012

May I join in, or is that enough now?

The more the merrier. Everyone who wants to can and should join in. As with the previous album challenge, there will ideally be several versions of every song on the album.
posted by The World Famous at 4:01 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm interested, sign me up.
posted by cathodeheart at 4:11 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm (already) in!
posted by unSane at 4:14 PM on June 8, 2012

Yes please yes please yes please. I haven't done a MeFi Music song for far too long and this sounds really fun.
posted by ZsigE at 4:20 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sure.
I got Heroin last time. I'm hoping for something a bit lighter this round.
posted by chococat at 4:20 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

You know, one of those fun, happy-hearted tunes on OK Computer.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:24 PM on June 8, 2012 [23 favorites]

Heh.
posted by chococat at 4:27 PM on June 8, 2012

I am in for this one. Unlike 2009, where I embarrassingly failed to produce anything.
posted by god hates math at 4:31 PM on June 8, 2012

Ok this is pretty exciting. I don't understand things like "chords" enough to participate but I am giddy with excitement.
posted by fuq at 5:00 PM on June 8, 2012

count me in. been waaay to long since i posted anything to mefi music.
posted by th3ph17 at 5:09 PM on June 8, 2012

I am interested (in embarrassing myself).
posted by curious nu at 5:18 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

You know, one of those fun, happy-hearted tunes on OK Computer.

Well, I don't really do melodic stuff but I would like to collaborate with someone if they want to make a housy, filtery, super disco version of something.
posted by fuq at 5:49 PM on June 8, 2012

Can I request that the July 2015 effort be for the eponymous album from The Archies?
posted by hwyengr at 6:21 PM on June 8, 2012

Count me in.
posted by erikgrande at 6:25 PM on June 8, 2012

YUSSS. I loved VU+N challenge. Count me in.
posted by azarbayejani at 6:32 PM on June 8, 2012

Go on then. Just this once.
posted by motty at 6:49 PM on June 8, 2012

If we don't like the song we're assigned, can we trade with someone else?
posted by John Cohen at 6:50 PM on June 8, 2012

If we don't like the song we're assigned, can we trade with someone else?

Sure.
posted by The World Famous at 6:59 PM on June 8, 2012

I have literally never done anything for MeFi Music, but this sounds like fun. Assign away, because otherwise I'll end up doing one of the five songs off the album I know from memory.

Though a major-key version of Climbing Up the Walls just popped into my head as a perverse little idea.
posted by supercres at 6:59 PM on June 8, 2012

OK, I'll give it a shot.
posted by John Cohen at 7:06 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm in. But only if you accept atonal dub versions of radiohead.
posted by googly at 7:25 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Man, we should totally have a Metatalk thread about every music challenge. It seems positive, and it sure would improve visibility.
posted by koeselitz at 7:28 PM on June 8, 2012 [3 favorites]

i'd love to take part!
posted by qnarf at 7:30 PM on June 8, 2012

Man, we should totally have a Metatalk thread about every music challenge.

Couldn't agree more, K!
posted by unSane at 7:39 PM on June 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

I didn't even know these things existed! This is awesome. I won't be contributing this round due to life stuff, but I look forward to listening to what folks do!
posted by smirkette at 7:55 PM on June 8, 2012

So let me tell you a story about OK Computer. I never really cared for Radiohead. Not my cup of tea. The Bends was okay, Creep was a pretty good rock song. But then OK Computer came out and I thought, no, no, this is not at all for me, this single is terrible.

I never listened to the rest of the album.

So anyway, I've already been assigned a track, and I won't give away what it is yet, but I've done some close listening and I've banged out a learning-the-song quick-and-dirty two-hour cover. And it's grown on me. I listened to the rest of the album the other day for completeness, and it turns out that it's still not for me, but I "get" it a little better.

I think what I'm saying is, I will likely turn in two or three versions of this song, at least one of which will feature badly-played accordion.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:01 PM on June 8, 2012 [2 favorites]

One of the motivations for choosing OKC was that it's such a polarizing album, which it makes it equally hard to do -- whether you think it's a work of genius or it leaves you entirely cold.
posted by unSane at 8:04 PM on June 8, 2012

Man, we should totally have a Metatalk thread about every music challenge. It seems positive, and it sure would improve visibility.

Oh, there have been other music challenges?
posted by John Cohen at 8:30 PM on June 8, 2012

By which, to be clear, I mean I'm in and up for it.
posted by motty at 8:34 PM on June 8, 2012

I can't sign up, because I don't think I can promise any results at all, but thanks for posting this. It's convinced me to go back to the album (which I wasn't even aware was polarising) and pick apart the one song that I don't like (likely unsurprisngly, Fitter, Happier.) In listening to it over and over, I was surprised by how much is actually going on to make me uncomfortable.

So, thanks for making me think.
posted by frimble at 8:37 PM on June 8, 2012

Sure, I'm in.
posted by naju at 8:53 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm in. I see OK Computer is on Spotify so I have a source.
posted by Ardiril at 9:25 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm a huge Radiohead fan so I'm anxiously looking forward to all the upcoming posts. I hope to hear a lot of fun takes on Fitter Happier.
posted by Diskeater at 9:38 PM on June 8, 2012

I would totally like to do this. Yay, garageband!
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 9:56 PM on June 8, 2012

I will do this only if I can do a French language a cappella version of Meeting in the Aisle...

Hehe. No really, I'm in! I can pull something together! Fun adventure time!
posted by two lights above the sea at 10:12 PM on June 8, 2012

Sign me up please.
posted by fleacircus at 10:25 PM on June 8, 2012

Please also to be putting my name in the hat.
posted by Acari at 11:10 PM on June 8, 2012

I've never actually listened to OK Computer. I know, I know, that's gotta be right up there with "I don't even OWN a TV" for most of y'all, but, it's a fact.

But I like surprises, and I like a challenge (MeFiMu and otherwise) and that is why...

I'm in.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:23 PM on June 8, 2012 [3 favorites]

Count me in as well, please.
posted by muhonnin at 11:47 PM on June 8, 2012

I'm not set up to record an entire song, but if anyone needs a pianist/amateurish back up vocals I'm in for a collaboration. Very much looking forward to what comes out, either way.
posted by rhythm and booze at 11:47 PM on June 8, 2012

In please.
posted by Captain Najork at 11:56 PM on June 8, 2012

I can't guarantee I'll be able to do it in July but I've always wanted to try a cover of Let Down (semi-infamously one of their songs they almost never play live).
posted by chimaera at 12:02 AM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, I would like a song please!
posted by visual mechanic at 12:34 AM on June 9, 2012

Might be interested in collaborating or turning something in. Don't know if I'd be reliable enough for an assigned one, though.
posted by solarion at 12:43 AM on June 9, 2012

uncleozzy, I cannot *wait* to see what you do with your song. Same goes for the rest of you.

(It's slightly embarrassing how much I obsessively listen to my fave MeFi Music tracks.)
posted by iamkimiam at 1:27 AM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

and by see, I mean hear. English is getting really weird w/r/t these verbs.
posted by iamkimiam at 1:28 AM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I've never actually listened to OK Computer ... [b]ut I like surprises

No surprises, sorry.
posted by Grangousier at 2:52 AM on June 9, 2012 [9 favorites]

Come on. You could have a lot of fun with "Fitter, Happier".
posted by Decani at 4:40 AM on June 9, 2012

May I have a weird song to cover, please?
posted by idiopath at 6:22 AM on June 9, 2012

May I have a weird song to cover, please?

You can make anything as weird as you like, even the *straightest* song. Whereas if it's weird in the first place, where you gonna take it?

That is, assuming you wanna make something *weird* yourself.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:30 AM on June 9, 2012

I've never actually listened to OK Computer

i thought i had, but it turns out it was kid a and amnesiac i'd listened to - somehow, i'd never gotten around to hearing this one

i don't get the pink floyd comparisons people make - a lot of the songs sound like mid 60s kinks to me, which is a good thing
posted by pyramid termite at 6:34 AM on June 9, 2012

I would like to make a go of this, please.
posted by sinnesloeschen at 6:43 AM on June 9, 2012

Suuuuuuure, I'm in. Why not? Sign me up.
posted by davejay at 7:35 AM on June 9, 2012

flapjax at midnite: "You can make anything as weird as you like, even the *straightest* song. Whereas if it's weird in the first place, where you gonna take it?"

Many of the things we do as musicians can be thought of as parlor tricks.

One of the best tricks I have up my sleeve is to take something that is "weird" in a pop music context out of that context, and show how much weirder things can get.

But really I've been doing my scales and exercises on the viola for about half a year now (no joke), so I am maybe in a position to go "straight" for once if that inspiration hits me as well (well as straight as a 6 month violist can do, but earnest flawed but folksy sloppy playing works out just fine in a pop music context).
posted by idiopath at 7:48 AM on June 9, 2012

I'm in.
posted by Jofus at 7:49 AM on June 9, 2012

Viola, idiopath? You know what they call 100 violas at the bottom of the ocean, right?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:51 AM on June 9, 2012

Viola jokes are so numerous and ubiquitous, I consider the humbleness required to stick with the instrument one of the perquisites of playing.

All the thin skinned violists commit suicide, or switch to something easier like the violin.
posted by idiopath at 8:05 AM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I didn't know that many lawyers played the viola.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:14 AM on June 9, 2012

If I could play any instruments well and had a way to record anything, I would do this. Since that isn't the case, I anxiously await the results of those that can.
posted by Red Loop at 8:18 AM on June 9, 2012

No no cjorgensen, the lawyers are actually reincarnated as the violas. It is the sacred duty of the violist to torture those lawyers for their misdeeds, by rubbing them with horsehair and crushing them under our chins.
posted by idiopath at 8:29 AM on June 9, 2012

I'm in.

at least one of which will feature badly-played accordion

Mine is pretty much guaranteed to feature a badly-played concertina.
posted by burnmp3s at 8:34 AM on June 9, 2012

It is the sacred duty of the violist to torture those lawyers for their misdeeds, by rubbing them with horsehair and crushing them under our chins.

Hey, some lawyers *like* that.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:52 AM on June 9, 2012

You know what they call 100 violas at the bottom of the ocean, right?

since when are drummers entitled to tell jokes about musicians?

*ducks*
posted by pyramid termite at 9:46 AM on June 9, 2012 [3 favorites]

I am notoriously flakey with these sorts of things, but I'd like to be signed up nonetheless. Also, is this the right place to mention the genius that is Rodeohead?
posted by O9scar at 9:47 AM on June 9, 2012

At the risk of saying I'll do it and then not really doing it, I'll sign up.

This is going to get interesting real quick at my house.
posted by theichibun at 9:49 AM on June 9, 2012

No need to duck, pt. I'm a singer, too.

and I pluck on that little three-string thingie, of which there are maybe already more than 100 of at the bottom of the ocean...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2012

Three strings.

Shamisen? Balalaika?
posted by idiopath at 10:23 AM on June 9, 2012

I'll participate.
posted by michaelh at 10:38 AM on June 9, 2012

Shamisen? Balalaika?

Banjo with a flesh wound.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2012 [3 favorites]

Flapjax rocks one o' these:

http://www.strumstick.com/
posted by unSane at 11:39 AM on June 9, 2012

I'm in (although it's been years since I wrote music; I've been meaning to find an excuse to get back into it).
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 12:08 PM on June 9, 2012

> Also, is this the right place to mention the genius that is Rodeohead?

On a lazy weekend back in 2005, my husband said to me, "Okay, you have to listen to this for a little bit before you tell me 'That's enough.'" I gave him a suspicious, somewhat confused look as the music began to play.

When the lyrics kicked in, the unexpectedness of the whole thing sent me into hysterical laughter. This terrified our cat, and he jumped onto the couch, hackles raised, to huddle next to me. The sight of him bouncing gently with my laughter sent me into harder fits.

The whistle-lisp and cracking whip didn't help.
posted by moira at 12:43 PM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I've never heard the album, but I'm in. Need something fun and different. Did this before on the Elvis Costello mailing list - we mailed tapes all over the planet. Crazy. I guess this might be simpler now.
posted by Listener at 1:08 PM on June 9, 2012

I'm IN!!
posted by roboton666 at 1:23 PM on June 9, 2012

Yeah, I need the motivation. I'm in.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:34 PM on June 9, 2012

I think what I'm saying is, I will likely turn in two or three versions of this song, at least one of which will feature badly-played accordion.

Please let this be Airbag.
posted by jokeefe at 1:42 PM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm in!
posted by OrangeGloves at 2:09 PM on June 9, 2012

I'm dubious that I'll have the time, but I'll try. (I, also, have never listened to the album.)
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 3:36 PM on June 9, 2012

I'm in!
posted by evoque at 6:32 PM on June 9, 2012

One hundred comments later, but I'm in!
posted by Corduroy at 6:54 PM on June 9, 2012

I'm in! (I'm another person that doesn't particularly love or hate Radiohead and am not familiar with much more than Paranoid Android.)
posted by ignignokt at 7:42 PM on June 9, 2012

FYI There's a classical music album version of this already, "Strung out on OK Computer", which is pretty good.

Paranoid Android
posted by Chekhovian at 7:53 PM on June 9, 2012 [2 favorites]

No promise that the recording will be any good - it's been awhile since I played anything and I've never tried to record myself before - but I'm in. Well, I'll try anyway.

(Is that enough caveats?)
posted by dismas at 8:31 PM on June 9, 2012

yes please, count me in!
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 6:34 AM on June 10, 2012

Count me in too.

I'm terrified.
posted by freya_lamb at 7:47 AM on June 10, 2012

I'm in.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:31 AM on June 10, 2012

I'd like to!
posted by threeants at 1:37 PM on June 10, 2012

What the hello. I am in!
posted by not_on_display at 2:09 PM on June 10, 2012

I'm in.

Exit Music is the most emotional piece of music I know. The bassline is basically the devil dragging the singer down to hell.
posted by Sebmojo at 3:17 PM on June 10, 2012

I'll give it a try.
posted by the jam at 5:35 PM on June 10, 2012

When will assignments be made? Sounds like some people have gotten theirs already...
posted by koeselitz at 1:31 AM on June 11, 2012

hello again. I do not really know OK Computer, but a friend recommended "exit music" for me to do. Is it possible to request a track? If yes, I'll have exit music please. (Right - off to listen to it then!)
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 2:12 AM on June 11, 2012

The bassline is basically the devil dragging the singer down to hell.

I wouldn't necessarily say that.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 2:23 AM on June 11, 2012

Also, for those of you who haven't heard this album, I was in your place some years ago (mid 2000). In the late 90s, I was an undergraduate music student, and had largely abandoned listening to popular music. My idea was that popular music was the stuff you heard on the hit stations, which, if you remember the late 90s, it was pretty much all crap. Years later, I ended up listening to OK Computer. I don't know why, but it completely changed the way I see musicians doing more popular music. I was finally able to appreciate that popular music could be "art" in exactly the same way that Bach motets are, which was a seismic change in my thinking at the time.

The way that the songs on OK Computer are constructed feels so meticulous. And I say "constructed," because I really get the sense that that's how it works. They have an excellent sense of texture and pacing, and this extends across the song to the whole album. "Exit Music" is a great example. The texture begins very thin and intimate - no percussion. The next verse, the texture gets a bit thicker, building the tension. Just before the beginning of the third verse, the drummer starts teasing us (or warning us?) that the next verse will be bigger, thicker, with the cymbal on beats 2 and 4. Then he begins playing, and his entrance is fantastic. I think the percussion, and the accompanying synthesizer line, really make this song. At the end, the texture winds down, quickly, in the opposite way that it built up. There's so much to love about Exit Music. As a bonus, from what I've read, the song is a sort of "alternate ending" for Romeo and Juliet, where they were a bit smarter and managed to get away together. I always disliked the ending of Romeo and Juliet.

Sometimes after a great song on an album, you're sort of disappointed when the song ends. But Exit Music leads into Let Down, which is even better (I always loved suspensions!). In Let Down, we have the same tension/texture buildup, but it is accompanied by really delicious dissonances (suspensions) and harmonies (Yorke, vocals). Listen especially to what the vocals do across the verses with respect to which channel they're in. It's pretty fantastic.

I know not everyone likes OK Computer, but for me, the idea of covering a song from OK Computer is intimidating. Should be fun trying, at least.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 3:06 AM on June 11, 2012

If I'm not too late, I'm in. God I love this album.
posted by greenish at 7:27 AM on June 11, 2012

I'll give it a go.
posted by zix at 8:05 AM on June 11, 2012

I'm in, if I'm not too late to join.
posted by bedhead at 9:57 AM on June 11, 2012

You're not too late to join.

I'm planning to put together the assignment post tonight and post it as a new MetaTalk post either tonight or tomorrow. Once that's done, people can continue to sign up by posting in that thread and I'll just assign the tracks to those people on a person-by-person basis as they come. It won't be too late to participate until the challenge closes at the end of July.

Also, I need someone to assign me a track, since it wouldn't really be fair for me to pick my own. Anybody interested in picking my track for me?
posted by The World Famous at 10:03 AM on June 11, 2012

You will be covering Let Down. Sorted.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:12 AM on June 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

And to answer koeselitz' question above, a few assignments were made by MeFiMail when we initially discussed it in the MeFiMusicTalk thread. They will be disclosed as part of the master assignment post. I'd keep on giving the assignments that way, but so many people have signed up that it would get unwieldy for me.

I'm very happy to see how many people are in for this challenge. I can't wait to hear what everyone comes up with. The MetaFilter OK Computer collection is bound to be epic.

As far as requests go, part of me really wants to give everyone the track they ask for, but I'm resisting that, since it wouldn't be fair to those who have not requested a specific track. It's going to be luck of the draw, so maybe you'll get the one you're hoping for and maybe you won't. That said, you're free to do whatever you want, but I hope that, in the spirit of the challenge, you'll first do the track you're assigned before moving on to one that you might have been hoping for.
posted by The World Famous at 10:30 AM on June 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'll give it a shot.
posted by MrVisible at 2:21 PM on June 11, 2012

"The bassline is basically the devil dragging the singer down to hell."

I wouldn't necessarily say that.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:23 PM on June 10 [+] [!]

So... it's a lament bass? In that case I see your cryptic wikipedia link with another one.

As a bonus, from what I've read, the song is a sort of "alternate ending" for Romeo and Juliet, where they were a bit smarter and managed to get away together. I always disliked the ending of Romeo and Juliet.

My reading is that they, uh, escape into death. But yours is a lot cheerier, so yay!
posted by Sebmojo at 6:12 PM on June 11, 2012

Sign me up, please!
posted by modernserf at 7:02 PM on June 11, 2012

I'm putting together the assignment post now and I'll post it as soon as it's ready. So anybody who's on the fence and wants to get their name on the master assignment chart let me know asap. Otherwise, you can just ask for an assignment later and that will work, too.
posted by The World Famous at 7:12 PM on June 11, 2012

OK Computer: Track Assignments

I'm making this a comment here because of the 1-week MetaTalk post waiting period.

If you told me in the prior thread that you’re in to do a track, you’ll find your name on the assignment list below. If you are not on the list but you want to participate (or if I missed you or whatever), just say so in this thread and I’ll give you an assignment. It’s not too late to participate until the Challenge ends on July 31.

If you want to do a song other than the one you were assigned, it would be ideal if you would do the assigned track first and then do the other one you want to do, to maintain the integrity of the Challenge. After you’ve done the one you’ve been assigned, feel free to do as many others from the album as you’d like.

As it now stands, we have six musicians assigned to each tune, plus one extra. So if everyone currently signed up posts their track, we’ll have six complete versions of OK Computer, plus one extra version of one song. As more people sign up, they’ll be added according to my secret, complex, totally neutral and 100% unassailably fair formula for track assignment. Since fair’s fair, my assignment was made by cortex, so nobody gets to pick their own assignment.

So here are the track assignments:

Airbag
--------------------
unSane
The Great Big Mulp
naju
davejay
Corduroy
bedhead

Paranoid Android
--------------------
InfidelZombie
chococat
Ardiril
Jofus
ignignokt
ZsigE

Subterranean Homesick Alien
--------------------
snsranch
dobie
god hates math
Rube R. Nekker
burnmp3s
dismas

Exit Music (For A Film)
--------------------
askmeaboutLOOM
koeselitz
th3ph17
two lights above the sea
O9scar
the_very_hungry_caterpillar

Let Down
--------------------
dubold
pyramid termite
The World Famous
curious nu
fleacircus
theichibun

Karma Police
--------------------
uncleozzy
tigrefacile
erikgrande
Acari
michaelh
lazaruslong
modernserf

Fitter Happier
--------------------
sleepy pete
azarbayejani
flapjax at midnite
Listener
threeants
freya_lamb

Electioneering
--------------------
TwoWordReview
motty
muhonnin
roboton666
not_on_display
MrVisible

Climbing Up The Walls
--------------------
Doleful Creature
Elmore
supercres
Captain Najork
Johnny Wallflower
Sebmojo

No Surprises
--------------------
cortex
Grangousier
John Cohen
visual mechanic
OrangeGloves
the jam

Lucky
--------------------
grog
cmoj
googly
idiopath
Karlos the Jackal
greenish

The Tourist
--------------------
cathodeheart
qnarf
sinnesloeschen
Philosopher Dirtbike
evoque
zix
posted by The World Famous at 7:35 PM on June 11, 2012 [11 favorites]

Huh. My absolute least favorite track on the album.

Perfect! Thank you! This is gonna be fun.
posted by MrVisible at 10:37 PM on June 11, 2012

Thanks! This will be fun.
posted by michaelh at 10:50 PM on June 11, 2012

My reading is that they, uh, escape into death. But yours is a lot cheerier, so yay!

Thom Yorke also had the 1968 adaptation of the play (Romeo and Juliet) in his head: "I saw the Zeffirelli version when I was 13 and I cried my eyes out, because I couldn't understand why, the morning after they shagged, they didn't just run away. The song is written for two people who should run away before all the bad stuff starts. A personal song."

I can't find my original source, but there's that. I wouldn't say cheery, exactly - it's very bitter - but at least they're not dead.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:26 PM on June 11, 2012

Oh golly, Karma Police. Ugh. Anyone in the Exit Music for a Film category feel like trading? I've played this song way too much.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:22 AM on June 12, 2012

I may end up flaking, but I'd like to give this a shot. Sign me up!
posted by owtytrof at 7:12 AM on June 12, 2012

Ha, I just started playing the chords to Airbag on the piano, and it sounded just like Erik Satie, so I guess that's where I'm going with this!
posted by unSane at 9:31 AM on June 12, 2012

Woohoo! Gonna have some fun with this one! Thanks!
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:31 AM on June 12, 2012

but at least they're not dead.

I dunno, the first verse sounds like they're escaping but the second...

Sing.. us a song
A song to keep us warm
There's such a chill, such a chill
You can laugh
A spineless laugh
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you
Now we are one in everlasting peace


... doesn't seem too ambiguous.
posted by unSane at 9:33 AM on June 12, 2012

Also, apparently I'm gonna need more cowbell!
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:55 AM on June 12, 2012

owtytrof - Airbag
posted by The World Famous at 9:56 AM on June 12, 2012

Oh golly, Karma Police. Ugh.

I like the challenge of covering the "played 50 times when I was 18" songs.
posted by michaelh at 12:46 PM on June 12, 2012

I haven't listened to SHA in...a really long time. Welp, here goes nothin'!
posted by dismas at 1:12 PM on June 12, 2012

Is it weird that the first thing I did when I started recording was set up a bathroom echo chamber?
posted by uncleozzy at 1:16 PM on June 12, 2012

Is it weird that the first thing I did when I started recording was set up a bathroom echo chamber?

As long as it's in a bathroom in Jane Seymour's house, it's not weird.
posted by The World Famous at 1:20 PM on June 12, 2012

Karma Chameleon Police

Love in your double-lidded eyes all the way
If I listen to their lies would you say
He's a man without conviction
He's a herp who doesn't know
He talks in moths
He buzzes like a fly
He's like a detuned radio
He comes and goes, he summons ghosts

Karma karma karma karma, karma police, arrest this man
He talks in moths, he summons ghosts
Loving should be easy but I've given it all I can
But we've robbed the payroll again

Couldn't hear your flickered tongue everyday
And you have the right to remain silent, I heard them say
As if our love was an addiction
The needle sting of love too strong
But their Hitler stare is
Making me feel tragic
And we Godwinned this party
Even before the lizards came along

Karma karma karma karma, karma police, arrest this girl
Their Hitler stares have tipped the scales
They show their teeth as if to smile
But this is what you get when you mess with reptiles

This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get when you mess with reptiles

I sloughed our love for my survival
This is what you get when you mess with reptiles
My soul, my love, dead on arrival
This is what you get when you mess with reptiles

For a minute there, I lost my skin, I lost my skin
Phew! For a minute there, I lost my skin, I lost my skin

For a minute there, I lost my skin, I lost my skin
Phew! For a minute there, I lost my skin, I lost my skin
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:27 PM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

a bathroom in Jane Seymour's house

They really got some lovely sounds out of there. Like I said, I can take or leave most of the songs, but the album sure sounds gorgeous.

I'm going to try to mix using two makeshift echo chambers in the house ... the bathroom is tiny, wooden, and oddly-shaped, and there's a stairwell that throws off some really hideous reflections. We'll see how that goes.
posted by uncleozzy at 2:36 PM on June 12, 2012

I'm not sure how much the house had to do with the sound, really. If you listen to the Cure's Wild Mood Swings album and New Order's Waiting For The Siren's Call, both of which were also recorded at St. Catherine's Court, they have nothing in common with OK Computer, sound-wise, whereas Pavement's Terror Twilight, also produced by Nigel Godrich (but not at St. Catherine's) sounds a lot like OK Computer. I'd say the secret to the sound of OK Computer is having a late-90s Nigel Godrich as the producer.
posted by The World Famous at 2:43 PM on June 12, 2012

Does anyone assigned to "Paranoid Android" want to trade for my "No Surprises"?
posted by John Cohen at 4:28 PM on June 12, 2012

...trade...

While the MeFiMu Challenge is, of course, all for fun and enjoyment, and while I think being rigidly dogmatic about things that are basically supposed to be fun and enjoyable is, yeah, kinda dumb, I *would* say, nonetheless, that the "challenge" part is something that people should ideally really take to heart. In other words, damn it all, just dive in and do the one you were assigned! Don't wimp out! You don't like it? Tough toenails! Make it into something that you do like! Or express your dislike for it in your cover! Then, if you want, go and do another one, that's more to your liking. But doing the one you were assigned is, hey, kinda what you signed on to do, right?

Anyway, that's my feelings on the subject...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:51 PM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I agree with you, flapjax at midnite. But I did say above that trading was OK. That said, my authority as the runner of this Challenge are largely ceremonial. And, as much as I might enjoy it, I won't be ruling with an iron fist.
posted by The World Famous at 4:55 PM on June 12, 2012

In response to flapjax at midnite:

(1) I asked if it was OK to trade and The World Famous said, "Sure."

(2) The explanation given — by no less a Metafilter music authority than cortex — about why there are assignments was that this will equalize the number of covers for each song. Trading is consistent with that goal.

(3) The idea that I'm not up for a "challenge" when I'm looking to record "Paranoid Android" instead of "No Surprises" is a little odd.
posted by John Cohen at 5:10 PM on June 12, 2012

If I hadn't already put in so much work on PA, I would have traded with you this morning. Surprise us with your take on "No Surprises" and then use that to lead into your version of PA.
posted by Ardiril at 5:17 PM on June 12, 2012

I'm willing to trade John - I only listened to this album all the way through for the first time yesterday (though I'd heard parts before.) It's all new to me.
posted by InfidelZombie at 5:20 PM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Cool, thanks, InfidelZombie!
posted by John Cohen at 5:22 PM on June 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Aw shit I got the most amazing song on the album. Crushed like a bug in the ground OSO APROPO
posted by fleacircus at 5:51 PM on June 12, 2012

I am as giddy as a schoolgirl and looking forward to this.
posted by davejay at 7:22 PM on June 12, 2012

Trading is consistent with that goal.

Good point.

And hey, no worries. The overall thing is, it should be fun. Everybody have fun!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on June 12, 2012

Paranoid Android. No pressure then.
posted by Jofus at 12:03 AM on June 13, 2012

Arranging the first verse went much smoother than I anticipated. This stuff was not meant to be handled by a lone person in a limited studio. People will be learning some cool tricks from this exercise.
posted by Ardiril at 5:18 AM on June 13, 2012

Fitter Happier could arguably be characterized as the Least Likely Song To Ever Be Covered By Anyone, Anywhere.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:45 AM on June 13, 2012

(nonetheless, there seem to be a few...)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:46 AM on June 13, 2012

Fitter Happier is not the song I would have picked for you to cover, flapjax. Conversely, if anyone can make something of it, I think you can give it a few interesting twists.
posted by Ardiril at 6:56 AM on June 13, 2012

I wore this album out when it was released. Whether caterwauling along to it in the car or silently disecting it at night through headphones, I listened to it a lot. Haven't listened to it much in years, though, so this is great.
I was sort of dreading getting Paranoid Android. I just loved that song when it came out. People threw the "prog rock" label at it. In an abstract way, I'd liken it to Bohemian Rhapsody with regards to how its chapters and variations grow and build. Similarly, (for me anyway), it's the kind of song where, if you pull up to your house just as it's starting, you have to sit in the car and listen to it until it's over. And I was dreading it because I think I'd be hard-pressed to find a cover of it I like. Brad Mehldau's awesome instrumental cover from a few years back is the exception. So yeah, challenge. Holy shit.
posted by chococat at 7:31 AM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yo, flapjax, if you'd rather do Airbag, I'll trade you. If you're good with your challenge, then whatevs.
posted by owtytrof at 9:47 AM on June 13, 2012

Oh, wait, nevermind. You're definitely of the opinion that your challenge is your own!
posted by owtytrof at 9:47 AM on June 13, 2012

This cover of Paranoid Android is pretty good.
posted by The World Famous at 9:54 AM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Can anyone beatbox? I have an idea, and I can't do it without a beatboxer! Me mail me. :)
posted by two lights above the sea at 3:37 PM on June 13, 2012

You're definitely of the opinion that your challenge is your own!

Haha! Yeah, I'm gonna dive in and JUST DO IT, as ol' Mr. Nike says. Might do another one after that, though, time permitting.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:50 PM on June 13, 2012

flapjax at midnite: “Fitter Happier could arguably be characterized as the Least Likely Song To Ever Be Covered By Anyone, Anywhere. (nonetheless, there seem to be a few...)”

This is easily the most fabulous.
posted by koeselitz at 3:56 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

I just went looking for covers of Electioneering and there's a distinct lack of quality covers out there (Exception: Easy Star All Stars version). I found the OKX album which has that Fitter Happier cover and thought "Aha, Cold War Kids covering Electioneering! This should be good." But nooo, horribly plain and not very interesting in my opinion.

I'm expecting Mefi can help fill the void of quality 'Electioneering' covers.
posted by TwoWordReview at 4:25 PM on June 13, 2012

This is easily the most fabulous.

Yeah, that's gonna be tough to top.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:56 PM on June 13, 2012

And I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that somebody got there first, but my idea had, right away, been to do that flat, computer voice in a very real, very human voice. Heh.

This really is a tough one, I think.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:06 PM on June 13, 2012

FINE FLAPJAX GOSH

Karma Police it is. Maybe I can find a way to work in a harmonica. I just got a new set of keyed blues harps.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:09 PM on June 13, 2012

I've always thought that somebody really ought to sing "Fitter Happier," but maybe that's just me.
posted by koeselitz at 5:39 PM on June 13, 2012

I'd like to hear Kanye and Jay-Z do Fitter Happier as a super energetic rap duet. All we need to do is get them to join MeFi.
posted by The World Famous at 5:42 PM on June 13, 2012

I just got a new set of keyed blues harps.

OMG! Who keyed your harps? You oughtta KICK THEIR ASS!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:47 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thought about an acapella version of Karma Police, then found this. Not even gonna try and touch that.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:35 PM on June 13, 2012

Thought about an acapella version of Karma Police, then found this. yt Not even gonna try and touch that.

I AM FREAKING OUT, MAN
posted by two lights above the sea at 8:26 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Do we have to have actual musical ability or equipment to take part? Because if not, I'm totally in!
posted by nicebookrack at 7:18 AM on June 15, 2012

You need to be able to record yourself making noises of some sort and to be willing to share the result. That's about it. A tuneless-humming-and-spoon-on-wok cover of Karma Police would be fine, etc.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:50 AM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Not one of those insipid electric woks, though. We have to have some standards.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:55 AM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Not one of those insipid electric woks

Wok this way...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:05 AM on June 15, 2012

Wok this way...
Oh, you.
posted by chococat at 9:20 AM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

nicebookrack: Do you want an assignment? As cortex said, all you need is the ability to make a recording and post it on MeFiMusic, whether by smartphone, tape recorder, or something else. We'd love to have you participate if you're in.
posted by The World Famous at 10:07 AM on June 15, 2012

OK, I've thought about it, and am pretty sure that if there was ever at time to learn how to lay down a track and post it to MeFi, this is it. Sign me up, The World Famous, and make the random assignment generator give me the spoken word piece, please.
posted by carsonb at 12:31 PM on June 15, 2012

They're all spoken word pieces if you want them to be, carsonb.

I would love nothing more than to give you Fitter Happier, but the random assignment generation formula is telling me I have to give you Exit Music (For A Film)

Incidentally, if you want help learning how to lay down the track or just want to collaborate, I don't live far from you and I think I'm going to have some time in the next few weeks if you want to do the track as a collaboration in my home studio.
posted by The World Famous at 12:45 PM on June 15, 2012

Wow. That sounds fun! Very generous offer as well, thank you sir.

Now, I hope I don't choke!
posted by carsonb at 1:18 PM on June 15, 2012 [2 favorites]

Yeah, for what it's worth for anyone sort-of onboard but worried that they can't cover all the bases they'd want for a recording, there's lots of Music regulars who are happy to collaborate (remotely in most cases but if you're in a major city then who knows), so feel free to broach the subject.

For my part, I'm slowly getting better at drumming and enjoy doing it more than I am actually good at it, so if you want some drums defined largely by their enthusiasm on your recording, feel free to drop me a line.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:29 PM on June 15, 2012 [2 favorites]

Oh wow, this is an awesome challenge... I'm awed, and also I don't really know much of Radiohead or the song Climbing up the Walls, so I should learn something out of this too. Cool. See you all in a month or so. Not doing swappies or nothing neither suckas, though might take up Cortex' suggestion of looking for some advice from some of the Music Regulars.

I think the idea of the challenge, and advertising it on MeTa to open up Music to more of the user base is great. I really hope it works well, I see no reason why it shouldn't.
posted by Elmore at 2:51 PM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Looking for the new thread . . . don't see it? Well, anyway, it's chamomile tea time . . . good night.
posted by Listener at 10:33 PM on June 15, 2012

Thought about an acapella version of Karma Police, then found this. Not even gonna try and touch that.
Yeah, I took a cursory glance on YouTube for Paranoid Android covers and there seems to be thousands of stringy-haired, pubescent boys bashing this song out on an acoustic guitars in front of bedroom computers the world over, so I aborted that search. Nothing will paralyze your creativity more than "checking" if someone else has done it first. Just go with your gut and fuck everyone else.
posted by chococat at 11:17 PM on June 15, 2012 [4 favorites]

Listener, there's no new thread because I didn't want to wait a whole week. I posted the assignments above. Search for my name and you'll find the assignment comment.
posted by The World Famous at 11:35 PM on June 15, 2012

Give me a break, chococat! You can outsing thousands of Internet pretenders before you've even gotten dressed in the morning.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:46 PM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

gotta remember to close those blinds
posted by chococat at 11:55 PM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

And remove all the bugs IRFH has planted in your home.
posted by Elmore at 1:59 AM on June 16, 2012

Metafilter: defined largely by their enthusiasm.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:22 AM on June 16, 2012

I will join the ranks of those who are "in", but isn’t totally sure I will get it done. I also don’t really know the album, so I’m glad to get an assigned song. I’ve joked with friends about this being the new Radiohead album that I just haven’t got around to listening to yet. Except it’s not a joke.
posted by bongo_x at 10:07 AM on June 16, 2012

bongo_x: No Surprises
posted by The World Famous at 11:50 AM on June 16, 2012

I really didn't know about this happening until just now. I would really enjoy being part of this, so sign me up!
posted by hanoixan at 12:15 PM on June 16, 2012

hanoixan: Subterranean Homesick Alien
posted by The World Famous at 12:20 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

I wonder, was this motivated by the album's 15th anniversary (which is today?). It got me to put together an OK Computer zomgpost for the occasion -- first one in awhile! It's got a lot of cover versions inside, which might be cool to look through for anyone who's still toying around with how to interpret.
posted by Rhaomi at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

The World Famous: I and the iPhone Voice Memos app are tentatively in! Accompanying me will be the traditional Drumming On The Computer Desk With My Fingers and special guest Cat Noises In The Background.
posted by nicebookrack at 3:46 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

Derrr....too late to be in? I want in.
posted by TheRedArmy at 6:25 PM on June 16, 2012

Well I guess I'm gonna do it regardless, but I am happy to accept the choice of the Sorting Hat if preferred.
posted by TheRedArmy at 7:41 PM on June 16, 2012

I am Mefi Music virgin, but I'd love to sign up for this.
posted by swift at 7:51 PM on June 16, 2012

I'm away from my computer, so I'll get your assigments posted as soon as I can, but it might not be until tomorrow. Happy to have you all on board. It's not too late, and won't be too late until the end of July.
posted by The World Famous at 8:43 PM on June 16, 2012

If anyone ends up doing an acoustic instrumental version of Let Down, that would be awesome because I've been searching for one to play at our wedding for a year now and everything has been crappy quality youtubes with background noise....

I mean, if anyone was thinking about it. Y'know.
posted by Windigo at 10:11 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh. oh. Sign me up!
posted by onehalfjunco at 3:52 AM on June 17, 2012

Excellent.
posted by TheRedArmy at 6:40 AM on June 17, 2012

I'm in.
posted by umbú at 3:00 PM on June 17, 2012

Fantastic. I hadn't even thought of doing the Tourist, but as soon as I read my assignment I got ideas. To tell the truth, I was hoping to get Airbag, because I had an idea for a great 9-minute filter house-esque version. But Now I'm excited to tackle one of the most gorgeous songs on the album...
posted by cathodeheart at 8:05 PM on June 17, 2012

Thom Yorke is an emo little fuck, ain't he.
posted by Ardiril at 11:24 PM on June 17, 2012 [1 favorite]

onehalfjunco: Paranoid Android

nicebookrack: Electioneering

TheRedArmy: Let Down

swift: Climbing Up The Walls

umbú: Lucky


If anyone ends up doing an acoustic instrumental version of Let Down, that would be awesome because I've been searching for one to play at our wedding for a year now and everything has been crappy quality youtubes with background noise....

That's the track cortex assigned me, and I was planning to do a sped-up Joy Division style version. But I recently picked up a used Martin 000-15 that sounds very nice on recordings, so if I can work out a decent arrangement and play it without being too ham-fisted, I'll take a crack at an acoustic instrumental version, as well. If someone with better acoustic chops than me wants to tack a crack at it, as well, I'd welcome that.
posted by The World Famous at 12:31 AM on June 18, 2012

A big ol' campfire singalong version of Let Down could be fun too. Just keep passing the track around.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:31 AM on June 18, 2012

Mwahahaha you have assigned me what is basically my favorite song. MWAHAHAHAHH! MWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAcoughcoughcough
posted by TheRedArmy at 9:37 AM on June 18, 2012

OK so I've been listening to a lot of the Chopin Prelude in E minor the past few days because of this but reading the comments on YouTube (I know. I know!) it turns out very many people have been listening to this particular piece lately because it's mentioned in 50 Shades of Grey and it's so cliché but I threw up in the back of my mouth a little.
posted by carsonb at 11:50 AM on June 18, 2012

I'll give it a go... (please be kind)
posted by piyushnz at 4:05 PM on June 18, 2012

I'd like to do this too!
posted by baniak at 8:44 PM on June 18, 2012

piyushnz: Fitter Happier

baniak: The Tourist
posted by The World Famous at 7:57 AM on June 19, 2012

That's the track cortex assigned me, and I was planning to do a sped-up Joy Division style version. But I recently picked up a used Martin 000-15 that sounds very nice on recordings, so if I can work out a decent arrangement and play it without being too ham-fisted, I'll take a crack at an acoustic instrumental version, as well. If someone with better acoustic chops than me wants to tack a crack at it, as well, I'd welcome that.
posted by The World Famous

Ant cracks taken would be absolutely, hugely appreciated!
posted by Windigo at 9:57 AM on June 20, 2012

And next year it has to be The White Album, for the forty-fifth anniversary. And we can sit around waiting to see who has to cover Revolution no. 9.
posted by Grangousier at 5:01 PM on June 20, 2012 [2 favorites]

And next year it has to be The White Album

Yes please!
posted by TwoWordReview at 5:23 PM on June 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

And we can sit around waiting to see who has to cover Revolution no. 9.

*Has* to cover? Actually, you might be surprised to find that there are a gaggle of folks here who would consider that as GET to cover Revolution no. 9.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:49 PM on June 20, 2012 [3 favorites]

Yes, that's true. Still - it wouldn't be the individual deciding, it would be drawn out of the hat. And The Hat is always right.
posted by Grangousier at 3:08 AM on June 21, 2012

Ooh, ooh, sign me up, please! And I promise to try to promise to try not to flake out...
posted by DaDaDaDave at 11:12 AM on June 22, 2012

Oh, hey, I just found this comment which gives the assignments, and they aren't in a separate post. I guess it got moved? Anyway, I'm way behind now, and haven't listened to the album yet. So, if anyone wants to trade, I'm willing. I have Fitter Happier. I can trade multiple times, just mefimail me. I don't care which song I get because I haven't heard any of them except paranoid android, which sounded better in 8-bit than the original, to my ear. ;)
posted by Listener at 2:00 PM on June 22, 2012

Oh, joke's on me! No way in hell anyone would *want* to cover that "song." But seriously if you do, email me.
posted by Listener at 4:27 PM on June 22, 2012

I think carsonb wanted Fitter Happier but didn't get it. Maybe send him a message.
posted by The World Famous at 4:50 PM on June 22, 2012

Heh, I'm already building my fuzz bass replacement noise though!
posted by carsonb at 5:10 PM on June 22, 2012

Ah. Nevermind, then.
posted by The World Famous at 5:18 PM on June 22, 2012

I may still take you up on it, Listener, because spoken word is a bit closer to my current skill level than reinterpreting Chopin/Radiohead. Let's keep that channel open.
posted by carsonb at 5:22 PM on June 22, 2012

Whoever does it, please change the words to "Filter Happier." I mean, really.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:25 PM on June 22, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sure, carsonb. It's still open. I am mulling over how I am going to approach this whole thing anyway.
posted by Listener at 6:17 PM on June 22, 2012

Exit Music (For A Film) - yeah, I can see a bubblegum version of this emo dirge.
posted by Listener at 6:26 PM on June 22, 2012

I'd like to be in this too, sign me up!
posted by valdesm at 11:38 AM on June 24, 2012

DaDaDaDave: Karma Police

valdesm: Lucky
posted by The World Famous at 9:14 AM on June 25, 2012

OK!!

The official challenge post is up. The current master assignment list is here. It's July and you can start posting tracks to MeFi Music. Let's go!
posted by The World Famous at 11:03 AM on July 3, 2012

I've been really stressing about putting something together on my computer (I'm so far down the puppy-noises loop-hole it's insane) because I suck at music, but just realized that I'll be spending a weekend around a campfire with my Radiohead-fan musician friend so it looks like a campfire sing-along is the direction I'm headed in now. Yay!
posted by carsonb at 7:15 PM on July 3, 2012 [2 favorites]

Damn. Don't know if I'll be able to swing this. I'm in the Ontario wilderness until Sunday with only a guitar and then we are out of the country until August.
posted by chococat at 4:06 PM on July 4, 2012

I'm in the Ontario wilderness until Sunday with only a guitar

No pocket recorder or nothing? Dude!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:41 PM on July 4, 2012

even just a change of underwear and a toothbrush?
posted by idiopath at 9:00 AM on July 6, 2012

Whoever does it, please change the words to "Filter Happier." I mean, really.

Filter, happier, less productive?
posted by TwoWordReview at 11:56 AM on July 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

Any bilingual Mefites want to proofread my attempt to translate "Subterranean Homesick Alien" into Spanish for another entrant? I got the rhythm down, but I'm not so sure about the grammar, especially all the tricky subjunctive lyrics towards the end. (And I made a dumb ser/estar mistake at the bottom, but can't focus on fixing it a.t.m.)
posted by Rhaomi at 6:22 PM on July 6, 2012