As a counter-argument in his trial for impiety and corrupting youth, Socrates famously said that the unexamined life is not worth living. It is my personal belief that musicians and artists are among the great philosophers of our time, with Radiohead, among others, leading the charge. The prolific group's melancholy style is rich in metaphor and imagery, with each thoughtfully constructed song lending itself to a poetic or even allegorical interpretation. One of my favourites is the much covered Karma Police, released in 1997 on the album, OK Computer.
Something I really enjoy about the music of Radiohead is that the band is not afraid to take on contentious lyrical themes. Furthermore, the band does not attempt to offer a solution to the questions asked, but rather gives us a sense of solidarity for having asked them in the first place.
As the title suggests, Karma Police explores questions of wrongdoing and retribution. However, the name is the most direct communication the song offers us. It opens with a couple of pleas that the fictional "karma police" intervene. The lyrics describe strange sins, followed by the repetitive taunt, "this is what you get when you mess with us". Out of context, the dissection of the song makes it seem obscure and even jarring, but the music makes for a moving melody. It lays out these thoughts, with no clear lyrical conclusion, leaving us in the grey area created by the big, iconic electric guitar and electronic manipulation. Such is the freedom of making music without a particular agenda, or idea to communicate. More than expressing an idea or outlining a thought, Karma Police evokes a mood, and this, at least for me, is far more memorable. The title, the most involved lyrics, they plant a seed, and the music creates a space in which to turn it over and consider it. In this way, listening to Karma Police, and much of Radiohead's other work is something like stepping into a gallery in the sense that it commands attention without forcing itself on our ears. It is immersive for it's own sake and that it what makes it so exceptional.
While the modern day audience is largely more open minded, Radiohead is not all that dissimilar to Socrates in its purpose, despite the grand aesthetic difference. The band provides a space for its listeners to examine their lives, passing us a note on what to consider, and trusting us to do so in the beautifully immersive musical landscape they proceed to create. It is a subtle genius in that it encourages critical thought in a way that is accessible and never condescending. I believe the world is a better place for the existence of such artists, and of course, their art. I don't think I will ever get tired of Radiohead.
