On the Record: Radiohead OK Computer Vinyl Pressing Guide

OK Computer arrived in 1997, with “Paranoid Android”, “Karma Police” and “No Surprises” spread across a double LP. The question for collectors is rarely just whether a copy says NODATA 02. Early Parlophone records, later pressings and modern XL editions can look similar at a glance. Here is a practical way to identify the record in front of you and choose the edition you actually want.

Quick guide to the main vinyl editions

Edition	What to check	Best reason to buy
1997 UK Parlophone 2LP	NODATA 02, Parlophone labels, gatefold and printed inners; compare all four runouts with a documented original.	An identifiable early copy for a collector.
Later standard 2LP	Check the label, barcode and full runouts. Heathen’s XL 2LP lists barcode 634904078119.	The original 12-song album on two records without paying an original-pressing premium.
2017 OKNOTOK 1997 2017 3LP	XL anniversary edition; Heathen’s 3LP lists barcode 0634904086817.	The album plus a third record of period B-sides and previously unreleased songs.

A barcode identifies a product edition, not every manufacturing variant. A seller’s “1997” date can describe the album’s original release rather than the year that particular copy was pressed.

How to identify an early UK OK Computer pressing

1. Start with the label and catalogue number

The sought-after 1997 UK retail double LP was issued by Parlophone as NODATA 02. Look at the labels on both records, the sleeve and the printed inner sleeves. The catalogue number is a useful starting point, but NODATA 02 on its own does not prove a first pressing: the records’ runouts carry the finer evidence. For the broader method, read our guide to identifying first pressings.

2. Transcribe the runout on every side

Read the dead wax under good light, including crossed-out characters, stamped numbers and handwritten text. An Omega Auctions description of an original UK copy documents NODATA markings with the “1” altered before a “2”, plus short etched messages across the four sides. Side A includes “VINYL BLAIR”. Another Omega original-copy listing specifically notes the absence of an additional 8552291 number in its runout.

Those are documented examples, not a claim that every authentic early copy has an identical four-side inscription. Later records may share part of the same mastering information. Ask for clear photos of A, B, C and D, then match the whole set to an independently documented variant. Do not rely on “MPO”, “NODATA 02”, or one impressive-looking etching in isolation.

3. Inspect the complete package and condition

Check that both discs, the gatefold and the two printed inner sleeves belong together. Compare typography and label details with the claimed issue. Inspect the records for scratches, warps and groove wear, and ask for a play test if the price reflects collector condition. The sleeves and each disc should be graded separately; our vinyl grading guide explains what those grades mean.

Vinyl weight and cover sheen are poor shortcuts. An Omega-listed original had records around 179 grams. “Heavy vinyl” therefore does not establish that a copy is a reissue, and 180g does not guarantee a better-sounding record.

What is different about OKNOTOK?

OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 is the 20th-anniversary expanded edition on XL Recordings. The label’s release listing identifies the 3LP format. Alongside the original album it includes a third LP with “I Promise”, “Man of War”, “Lift” and B-sides from the era. It is a different package from the standard 12-song 2LP. Check the exact listing if you are choosing between anniversary formats; the deluxe boxed edition is a separate product.

There is no universal “best sounding” pressing. Mastering, pressing quality, playback equipment and the condition of the individual copy all affect what you hear. A clean later edition may be a better listening purchase than a worn original, while a well-documented 1997 copy offers a distinct collecting appeal.

What is a 1997 copy worth?

There is no dependable single AUD value for “the first pressing”. Condition, completeness, the precise runout variant, provenance and the market at the time of sale all matter. Compare completed sales for copies with matching identifiers and similar grading, and note whether an auction figure is a hammer price or includes buyer’s premium and shipping. A listing price is an asking price, not evidence of a completed sale.

Explore Radiohead vinyl at Heathen Records

If you want the original 12-song album as a modern listening copy, see our OK Computer 180g 2LP. For the expanded anniversary tracklist, see OKNOTOK 1997 2017 3LP. Availability can change; you can also browse all Radiohead vinyl at Heathen Records. For another detailed Radiohead collectable, read our In Rainbows Discbox guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does NODATA 02 mean my copy is a 1997 first pressing?

No. It points you towards the Parlophone edition family. Confirm the full A–D runouts, labels and package against a documented issue before calling it an original.

Does an MPO mark prove an original?

No. A pressing-plant mark alone cannot date the entire record. Compare all identifiers, especially because later pressings can carry familiar numbers and marks.

Which edition should I buy?

Choose a verified 1997 Parlophone copy if the original pressing and its provenance are your goal. Choose a standard 2LP for the core album, or OKNOTOK 3LP if you also want the anniversary material. In every case, check the exact edition and condition offered.