The progression of technology and the rapid coming of the Digital Age sent skepticism and worry through the minds of many in the late 90s. The world was just beginning to embrace the Internet in 1997 - not quite on the brink of social media just yet, but foundations were being set. Many moved forward with uncertainty, though. What would this era of technology bring, and what would the consequences be?

Perhaps one of the most prolific albums from this period was Radiohead's third album OK Computer. The album not only broke borders with its eclectic progressive rock and britpop blends, but it also treaded where few dared to go: it questioned the implications of technology, shining it in both a positive and horrifying light.

The band at that time was hitting success after success, following up the excessively popular 'Creep' from their debut Pablo Honey and the hauntingly beautiful 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' from their sophomore release The Bends. They easily could've continued to tread in that edgy pop rock direction and busted out another strong-selling record.

Yet they decided to challenge the expectations. That resulted in OK Computer, defying all of the expectations that could've been expected of them. The album was quickly written off as a flop by their record label, but then exploded, debuting at number one on the UK Album Charts as well as hitting number 21 on the Billboard 200, making it the band's first album to chart in America.

It's easy to see why this album was so successful, especially in that era. It provided something for each side of the spectrum: big anthems and catchy hooks for the pop crowd, and thought-provoking lyrics and complex music for those who wanted something to think about. Right from the opening bars of 'Airbag', you knew this album is something different than what Radiohead had done in the past. Gone were the clean guitar arpeggios of 'Creep' and the distorted powerchord verses. Instead, magically sparkling guitar paired with strings bring the album to its start. Ironically, the album that has become known to combat the spread fear of technologically advanced future ahead starts by praising it. 'Airbag' is the recollection of Thom Yorke's car crash, in which he sings praises to the airbag that likely saved his life. Without that technology, he wouldn't be here today. The song's positivity falls in line with the heroic chorus "In an interstellar burst / I am back to save the universe," but the song does come with an interesting afterthought: if technology didn't exist as it does now, would Yorke have been in the same danger?

'Airbag' isn't the only song about near-death experiences. The penultimate 'Lucky' shares the same sentiment, though at a more significant rate: the song captures the essence of a plane crash. Instead of thanking the technology, 'Lucky' seems to be the counter of 'Airbag'. It's somber, clean guitar and sweet bass line begin the track, backing Yorke's gentle vocals. 'Lucky' is a slow song that builds epically to its climax, vividly and perfectly capturing the scene of being captured in a falling plane, the creepy delay of the guitars making everything move in slow motion, before everything bursts back into real time as the guitar solo revs up to capture the fear and panic in the air. The most distinct difference from 'Airbag', which boasts that the technology that saved his life was more of a rebirth, bringing him into the life of someone who could save the universe, is the chorus of 'Lucky' that shows that survival alone is a miracle; a superhero to the world in the form of a warning about technology: "Pull me out of the aircrash / Pull me out of the lake / Cause I'm your superhero / We are standing on the edge".