Radiohead – OK Computer

I think I have this press… It has the scalloped inner sleeves and the matrix runouts match exactly the same. I have weighed both vinyl and one is 177g and the other was 171g.. would that be this pressing? thanks

I see some debate about one pressing vs. another pressing (which is quite common with any title that has more than 3-4 variations), but since I only own one copy of this album and therefore have only heard this one version on vinyl all I can say is HOLY SHIT does this thing sound phenomenal! I'm not exaggerating when I say this copy made my overall stereo system sound better! I'm not kidding -- if I was a stereo salesman this would be the piece of vinyl I'd use to show customers what an excellent stereo system sounds like. My copy is also as clean and interference free as a CD which makes a big difference with a release like this that has so many very quiet and nearly silent ages - not a single pop, tick or crackle that doesn't belong which makes the music stand out that much more. This is one of those selections from my collection that the actual value doesn't interest me at all because I'd never sell this one. Nice example of why vinyl is the absolute best format there is.

All the discussions about the different variants aside, I want to talk about the sound quality. I read comments that it doesn't matter if you listen to an early or later pressing (for example 2013), because they all use the same metal plates. Well, in my opinion those comments are wrong. This album has been pressed thousands and thousands of times over the years and also the most robust plates wear off over time and lose some of its sharpness. Someone who doesn't know this album too well might not notice a lot of difference, but someone like me who knows this album in and out for more than 20 years will immediately: I listened to this pressing for the first time yesterday and it was like listening to this album for the first time again!

Of course lots of later pressings also sound great and have a lot of depth and warmth to it. Even the recent OKNOTOK remaster on blue vinyl sounds phenomenal, which was my preferred version until now. But man, this early pressing adds a sharpness and immersiveness that really surprised me at first listen! You not only hear all the beloved soundscapes in all their clarity, but actual humans playing actual instruments. I can't describe it better. I heard so much little details I didn't hear before and I immediately understood this album and the intentions of the band in the studio better and how much this album is rooted in the art rock explosion of the late 60s and early 70s. The listening experience reminded me of the mesmerising improvisation on a great Can album, or the groundbreaking studio experimentation of later Beatles stuff. This isn't news at all of course, everyone knows where they are coming from, but I never *felt* it that much before.

Excuse my enthusiasm, just a vinyl nerd's humble opinion I wanted to share. Is it worth a higher price than later pressings? Absolutely! But is it worth the amount early pressings go for? I don't know, that's a discussion as old as vinyl collecting. After hearing this early pressing I'm highly interested in a first pressing from 1997, but I don't think I can bring myself to spend that amount of money anytime soon.

Like others, I am sure I don't have the 2008 repress (bought my copy before 2008), but my copy also doesn't fully match this version in that the inner sleeves don't have the cutout. And here's what is driving me crazy: labels A and B do NOT have the double ring indention, but labels C and D DO have the double ring indention! At any rate, great copy and glad to have it. Just having a hell of a time trying to place which version I have!

This is the definitive and best version of this classic. Features the early master cut stampers but the 180g heavy weight vinyl gives a superior sound quality over the other pressings. Also the gatefold cover and inners quality is top notch. Definitely a must have.

My 1998 180g repress does not have cut outs on the printed inner sleeves. My copy does not match any other listing on discogs because it is 180g, does have the double ring indentation on the labels, has the 'I LIKE YOU, YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON VINYL BLAIR' in the runout, and the person I got it from (in a lot with other 90s/00s Radiohead records) ensures me that he purchased it before Hail To The Thief was released.

Can anyone confirm that this release actually has cut outs on the printed inner sleeves? There are no images on this release page of the printed inner sleeves.

S0 the only difference between the original 1997 pressing and the 1998 repress is the weight of the vynil themselves? My copy is still sealed, and I really don't know how to understand "from the outside" if it's a first edition or not WITHOUT OPENING IT. And even if I decide to unwrap it, what should I look for? Can't see clarity in the run-out grooves either.

I have one that matches all the info here (180, matrix, matte, sounds phenomenal, etc.) but does not have the die cut inners. Is this the case with anyone else's copy?

I've been trying to sort out if I have a 97 pressing or this 2008 version. The 97 version says "... with printed inner sleeves, with scooped thin cutouts along the top edge of one side, each."
The 2008 listing neither mentions nor shows the printed inners.

So, did the 2008 version have the printed inners, and if so, were they the same "scooped thin cutouts" versions?

Is there anything else that distinguishes between these two pressings? I have seen many people claim they bought their 97 version upon release and their vinyl is heavy (150-170 g) so I'm not convinced that is the answer.

Thanks in advance!

On this 2008 release, at the bottom back of cover does is state EMI Records or A Warner Music Group Company. In the description photos it shows EMI but would like to confirm this. Thanks.