Reviews (page 5 of 13)
I get it now. So wonderfully layered, absolutely peak. Favorite Track: Sit Down. Stand Up.
A bunch of ghosts haunting Bush era politics using dial up internet.
Great album! Love Radiohead!
Kind of background music, but i liked it
Love Radiohead but this one ain't my favourite. Some really solid singles but a lot of tracks that are just kind of filler to me
Despite being one of my least favourite Radiohead records, Radiohead at their worst are still better than 95% of bands. Standouts for me are Myxomatosis, There There, 2 + 2 = 5, Sail to the Moon and Wolf At The Door. In a way I feel like this is actually an interesting 'intro to Radiohead' (considering this is the first one to come up in this group list), not because it's their best but because it probably contains the widest array of their influences, relative to the other records. There's all the Aphex Twin electronics, krautrock and balladry that appears in varying dosages throughout their discography, it's just not the best versions of all of those things. I feel like I always think I like this record a lot less than I actually do when I come back and listen to it. As I said before, the standard is just so high for Radiohead, it's a bit unfair really. It has a few forgettable tracks, but a handful that I really love. Myxomatosis is such a sick track, and Wolf at the Door is a wicked closer. It's a few tracks too long, I think the band themselves have admitted that, but I'll take a few filler Radiohead tracks any day of the week.
I mean the quality of this stuff is just off the charts. Considering some of the wannabe’s we’ve heard from this game, it just goes to remind you why we value these guys as the best of their genre. Even for this, which generally isn’t assumed to be their top album by many, but there’s just this consistency throughout it that’s just sort of untouched from other bands. I probably can’t say or express it enough regarding them, so I’ll stop here. But it’s a good album
Very solid album, I think as a unit it is more consistent then ok computer but the highs of ok computer outshine this album, not to take anything away from this album as it was a very fin listening experience
Classic Radiohead sound
It’s a bit much getting 3 Radiohead albums out of my first 25. I haven’t even got OK Computer, Kid, or In Rainbows yet - my top 3 favorite and the first two are inarguably essential albums. Still I was glad to be forced to re-listen to Hail to The Thief. It’s not an album I’ve come back to much since my first listen. It’s a much better effort than their prior release and last Radiohead album I’ve listened to from this list, Amnesiac. The songs here are much more creative and varied. The first several tracks through “Where I End and You Begin” are all brilliant. The middle hits a bit of a lull but the last few tracks finish a strong note, especially the closer A Wolf at the Door. I wouldn’t necessarily say this is an essential album but I think it’s great overall.
While listening to Hail to the Thief, I found myself simultaneously constantly blown away by how outstanding the music was, while also thinking to myself that this is probably not their best work. I guess this says a lot about Radiohead as a band. Here is the thing though, the more I listened to this album the more I started to think that I’d previously been overly dismissive. I like transitional albums from bands I enjoy because they provide insight into their creative process and this album can be enjoyed similarly. The wide tonal variation among songs here is a manifestation of the band seeing where the innovative tones they’d previous created could take them. By leaning into more traditional rock rhythms and tones, this album offers just enough easy familiarity that it allowed be to listen to Radiohead as a rock band because I was less focused on the ingeniousness of their compositions. On previous listens I think I saw this as a short-coming, but over my later listens for this project I started really enjoying this for what it was. Another connection I’d previously missed was the juxtaposition of the existential political crises discussed in the lyrics on the heels of Yorke becoming a father. I became a father for the first time three years later and can appreciate how the experience alters ones hopes and fears about the future. The horizon of personal importance expands, which ironically makes current concerns more impactful. This album was queued at the start of winter. For me, Radiohead is a winter band. I enjoy their music most when I’m listening intently. Doing so by a fire with a glass of brandy makes the experience even better. I fully intend to give Hail to Thief the rotation it probably always deserved over the next several months.
Wasn’t too familiar with this album. Will definitely be revisiting.
Probably my favourite Radiohead so far on the list. Might need to downgrade amnesiac
Okay
having listened to maybe four of them, this is the most radiohead album. it’s distilled, pure, whatever you want to call it, and it left no major impressions on me other than that fact. Good work
The natural assimilation of Ok Computer, Kid A and Amnesia. It's rockier than their previous efforts, but who's complaining- I'm certainly not. Its variety is its strength, and tons of great songs in this overall underrated Radiohead release.
Está guay. Overlooked Radiohead album i guess. Puede dar un pelín de pereza por momentos como todo disco de Radiohead, pero me entró bastante bien aun sin estar en el mood.
Undeniably good. Only "There, There" really sticks out as a memorable single. Not as ponderous as people would fear.
Yep
There’s something about Radiohead that’s just so good. Sometimes it’s almost weird for the sake of weird, but it works. It puts you into an ambient lull but then you hear these little nuances that catch your attention and make you listen closer. It’s so eccentric, but sometimes brilliant at the same time. That all being said, this isn’t their strongest album. That title goes to their masterpiece “OK Computer” (imho anyway) but this is a great album nonetheless.
Really great album--I'm always surprised when a song pops up that I did not know was on a specific album, which always happens to me with Radiohead. Honestly, this might be their 3rd or 4th best. It kind of lags in the middle, but each song seems to have a right turn or shift that is rewarding.
Pretty cool.
Great collection of songs, but one of Radiohead’s weaker albums.
I always enjoy Radiohead’s music, but it often doesn’t fully sink in for me on the first listen (as with today’s album). This has a lot of beautiful textures. I admit I have no idea what most of the lyrics were. My favorite track on this go was “Myxomatosis.” Radiohead is sometimes regarded as a heady – even pretentious – band, but tracks like that remind you that they are capable of creating some killer riffs. Looking forward to future listens.
I believe this album is best listened to alone on an overcast day. A day where the sun and the rain fight over control of the skies with the wind presiding over it all.
All Radiohead gets my vote!
I like almost every song on this album, but I wouldn’t rate it a 5 or hold it to the same regard as other Radiohead albums. Like Amnesiac, there’s a lot of great things about this one, but my appreciation for it only goes so far. In terms of style, it’s like a midpoint between OK Computer and Kid A and an indication of what’s to come with In Rainbows, and yet it somehow falls short. The best songs on this album, including There, There, Sail to the Moon, and 2+2=5, are really fantastic though.
Great Jam love radiohead
Would be a perfect album but has a little too much fat
not my fav radiohead but I LOVE THEM
Another head-scratcher. OK Computer and Kid A are absolutely necessary in this collection. I get including Amnesiac (which is actually my personal favorite) and I even understand The Bends...I guess. But Hail to the Thief? Is it good? Yeah, even great at times. But it's not Radiohead at their best, and by this point in their career they already have four albums listed! Seems like a no-brainer for the editors to dump this one and In Rainbows, and include a couple records from under-represented genres, or just from a couple artists who didn't make it in. It's my same beef with Bowie, Morrissey, Dylan, Elvis Costello, The Byrds, etc... Anyway, HTTT is a fine album. Strong 4 from me.
Vibes: 3/5 Instruments: 4/5 Production: 4/5 Emotional Value: 3/5 Storytelling/Lyrics: 4/5 Stand Outs: Sail to the Moon, 2+2=5 Overall Rating: 3.6
01) 2+2=5 - 8,0 02) Sit Down. Stand Up. - 7,5 03) Sail to the Moon - 7,5 04) Backdrifts - 8,0 05) Go to Sleep - 8,0 06) Where I End and You Begin - 8,0 07) We Suck Young Blood - 7,5 08) The Gloaming - 7,5 09) There There - 9,0 10) I Will - 8,0 11) A Punchup at a Wedding - 8,5 12) Myxomatosis - 8,0 13) Scatterbrain - 8,0 14) A Wolf at the Door - 8,0 TOTAL: 7,96 (80/100) Current ranking: 215/710
82/100. Hail to the Thief might not be the definitive Radiohead album, but it’s a great one. There’s a sense of paranoia running beneath the surface, political unease, existential dread, fractured identities and the band embraces it.
meio boring, tive que parar de ouvir no meio. cansei de tentar gostar de radiohead, acho que o máximo que vou gostar de ouvir mesmo é o the bends, talvez o ok computer. e é isso, album 4/10. voltei a ouvir, não desisti ainda. mas acho que não é o certo pra ouvir trabalhando, definitivamente. talvez uma escuta mais dedicada entregasse mais. calma aí, tá ficando bom mudei de ideia, definitivamente 7.5/10, musicas muito interessantes com texturas muito boas escolhas de produção muito boas, gostei muito dos elementos eletrônicos mesclados no rock noventista
So Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and this is the album that started me on that journey, particularly seeing the music video for “There There” from this album. Weirdly, it seems the members aren’t as proud of it as other albums they’ve made, and it’s not their BEST album, but I (mostly) love it as a fan of the band. They always do a great job with choosing album openers and “2+2=5” is no exception… I feel like “Hail to the Thief” does a great job of mixing their Kid A-type experimental/moody music with some really interesting guitar music from “OK Computer”. Plus it retains some of the themes of the Bush-era paranoia about surveillance, the internet, etc. Does have some slow spots, especially early on, but i have the nostalgia and multiple listens working against that for a 4 stars.
I think this is an excellent album. It has variety, edge and interesting percussive elements. It mixes in all the different sounds to create something coherent but dynamic, the antithesis of this garbled review written in haste. I remain on the fence so I am plumping for a 4 but had to listen again at a minimum. Straight into the “will listen again” bucket and reserve the right to return for an amended review.
Excellent album, which is seemingly all Radiohead know how to do. Favorite track: Go to Sleep
Not even in Radiohead’s top 5 albums. But still there are some cool songs and it’s Radiohead
listened a bit
On this outing Radiohead sounds like an ace pitcher heading into the middle of their career: knowing they are not able to simply rely on the knockout stuff of their youth, they have honed their craft over a wider variety of styles to prove they can take it the full 9 and turn in a winner.
Although I wouldn't put this in my personal Radiohead top 5 albums, it's still great, and sits at an interesting position between the glitchy electronica of Kid A/Amnesiac and the relatively more "traditional rock" In Rainbows (Phil gets to play drums on almost every song!) Some songs here that I absolutely love, like Sit Down, Stand Up and There, There, and this is probably the most political Radiohead ever got. Some pretty dark repeated snatches of lyrics that have stuck with me over the years ("walk into the jaws of hell", "I will eat you alive") and just an overall sort of paranoid vibe. They're always musically interesting, and although it isn't the top of the mountain for this band, there's still a lot to love.
It was really good
I don't know, I liked it.
honestly didn’t listen much to the words but i always love the weird cool sound of radiohead
мне не зашло!
Know this album intimately from my favourite band. Not their best but contains some of my favourite radiohead songs. Album needs 3 removing to make it 5 stars
Jesus, this is a difficult one to rank. I am a big Radiohead guy, I fully expect most, if not all, of their album to be on there. It is brilliant, it is meaningful, if it were the first Radiohead record I heard I would be blown away. It is however, not the best in their discography. In fact, it is my second to last favorite. This one I can live with a four, cause while brilliant it does not move the needle that forward, it is a bit samey, a bit long. But some of them are gorgeous songs, and it absolutely should be on there.
Love Radiohead. Not my favorite of theirs for a listen, but love this era for sure.
I’ve always been a huge fan of experimental music, and what’s funny is that I remember in the early/mid 2000s when Radiohead was at their peak, I just couldn’t ever get into them, despite trying several times. However, over the last six months since I’ve been using this album generator, I’ve been able to grasp and enjoy Radiohead for what they are. On this album particularly, I really enjoyed the electronic elements, especially the piano and some of the programmed drum patterns and beats. I’m actually going to start looking into some of the side projects and solo albums that have branched off of Radiohead.
8/10 Another post-OK Computer album that I find myself reassessing. Much better than I remember - I was still looking for tunes and "proper" song structure when it was released, but in retrospect this is dense and interesting.
I didn't think I would enjoy this album. Honestly, Radiohead doesn't make the kind of music I would want to listen to. But maybe this is just a prejudice. This album is great at some parts, about others I don't really care. But, as an overall, it feels very well done, cohesive and not repetitive at all (which was what happened to me when I listened to Amnesiac, I felt it was bland and boring, with not much to say, actually). So I'm glad this album is much better that what I expected, and to have really liked it.
Solid album, not their absolute best but it really works well in spots. Aged well and definitely worth the time. There There, 2 x 2 =5, and We Suck Young Blood are classics.
Similar to my In Rainbows review I often find it hard to understand what Thom is saying. It's a stylistic choice and not on every track but I'm not reading lyrics to understand what someone is trying to say. Overall it's a hit and miss album, some big highs followed by lows. I liked it but it definitely runs too long, 2-3 weaker tracks could have been cut. I preferred In Rainbows overall which was a 4 so I'm going 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
I am a huge radiohead fan. Love this album but i have others I like more
good, but not as good as ok computer
good
The Bends, Kid A and Ok Computer are some of the best albums going in my book. I don't even consider myself a Radiohead fan particularly. This one is far less accessible and a hard to access Radiohead album is not a good sign for the general audience members taking on this list. It's a good album, I enjoyed it, but it's so much grittier, no real catchy hooks or even particularly catchy rhythms and bass lines like in other works. I'm torn between a 3 and a 4. It's a 3 and a half for sure. I'm going to lean to a 4 because I would go back to it and a lot of 3s I don't go back to.
I loved Radiohead from Creep through The Bends to OK Computer. Kid A and this one passed me by completely, purely because babies arrived and priorities changed! I've grown to love Kid A but never listened to this in full before, despite loving certain tracks. Opener '2+2=5' is one of them, classic edgy, fidgety Radiohead, blistering guitars. 'Sail To The Moon' is glorious, beautiful. 'Go To Sleep' is great, starts as folky as Radiohead could be and blends into more familiar brillance. 'Where I End and You Begin' was a shock, as a fan of early Simple Minds I loved it. 'A Punch Up at a Wedding' lays down a rare Radiohead groove. Of course the mighty 'There, There' is my favourite. One of their finest tracks, and one of the best rock songs of the millennium. It broods, it builds, it explodes. I've loved it since I saw their scorching Glastonbury version years ago. But overall this has too many average tracks to match up to their best albums. Great moments though.
This album was good to listen to in the evening right before bedtime. I only wish You Tube Music could publish the lyrics along with the track listing. Smooth relaxing sounds with interesting lyrical content.
One of the lesser great Radiohead albums, but still a great album. The band brings back the guitars here and mixes them in with the electronics, though it's rare that the two really get going at the same time ("Where I End and You Begin" is one song where they do). It ends up being a nice set of songs that rock while still having a lot of little details in the background. "There There" and the closer are the major highlights, but "Sit Down. Stand Up." and "Myxamatosis" are great too. It's main problem is it's length and the number of subpar songs on the tracklist, with "We Suck Young Blood" chief among them. There's an exceptional 40 minute album in here somewhere, but even as it is it's still great.
Radiohead goes back to guitars after the Kid A/Amnesiac experimentations and makes a foreboding album with classics like 2+2=5, There There, and A Wolf At The Door. I think it's my 5th favorite Radiohead album.
We need bands like Radiohead. Not my favorite of theirs but a favorite album nonetheless.
It's not Radiohead's best album but it's really dang good. There isn't a "hit" per se but I like the mix of typical rock elements and electronic. 8/10
its radiohead--a bunch of really interesting sounds. nothing quite sounds like this band. quality is good and many songs just become an earworm
At the time Kid A / Amnesiac were released, for some reason I missed the boat slightly, maybe I didn’t quite get it at first and it wasn’t until later that I came back to appreciate them, in fact, it wasn’t until after Hail to the Thief that I decided to go back and catch up. HTTF, with the release of a more straight up single in There, There, it caught my attention and delved in and got my Radiohead listening back on track, so HTTF feels like an important chapter in my Radiohead journey. In truth, HTTF took me a long time to fully appreciate as once I got hold of In Rainbows, my attention switched somewhat. Over 20 years later I’m still finding HTTF keeps giving; my favourite track is Where I End and You Begin and it was probably about 10 years ago that my appreciation of this track really elevated. Radiohead are the only band, to my mind, that I keep discovering songs on new levels to how I found them previously. For this listen, I decided to give the recently released Live Recordings 2003-2009 version of this album another spin, instead of the original album - live versions always seem to give another perspective and help me appreciate some tracks even more, and it’s Go To Sleep that has been standing out lately.
Their best album.
An interesting album that doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of Kid A and Amnesiac because it doesn't have the melodies that grab a hold of your soul and stay there. But it is a very worthwhile listen for the musical ideas at play, and the idea of play itself
This one will be a hard one to review. Not because I don't like Radiohead - on the contrary I think they are great because they are doing their own thing, sound like no one else, draw from a wide range of influences and are not afraid to experiment. I feel like this is not the sort of music you can listen once or twice and form a good opinion. My experience with them only goes as far as OK Computer, Kid A, Bends and In Rainbows all of which I love a lot. It took me quite a few times to get In Rainbows, so I suspect this one will take some time to soak in as well. From the first full listen I love the influence of drone and krautrock which induces hypnotic, relaxed state of mind. Not too many songs instantly stand out however it's about vibe. So far this is easily strong 4.0/5.0, but will need to REVISIT in the future.
Maybe it's my expectations from all of Radiohead's other incredible releases, but this album feels a bit weak compared to them. While I found the listening experience enjoyable, it felt as if this was more of a by-the-book release they did for fun rather than a completely revolutionary album. It's just a bit of an inconsistent release for them, with songs like I Will not hitting the gold standard they themselves set. Still, Radiohead is one of those bands that really can't produce a single bad album, and there are still songs like There There and A Wolf At the Door on this record that absolutely blows me away with each listen. It's realistically a rapid fire album with no filler, but I do wish a few of these songs spent a bit more time in the oven to be up to fluff with their other releases.
Not my favourite Radiohead album, but I am a fan boy
Radiohead just makes interesting music. This is more electronic but still really enjoyable (I'm a bigger fan of earlier Radiohead, hence -1, but it is better than a lot of 4* albums on here).
It’s not my favourite Radiohead album, but maybe top 3? I like it more than I remembered.
Whereas Kid A and Amnesiac are cerebral, Hail To the Thief is physical. It is more immediate, more raw, though I wouldn't describe it as guitar driven or entirely a rock album. It's kind of an ongoing clash between guitar driven rock and electronic synthy atmospheric aspects. A lot of folks complain about the length. It's long, but it's not an absolute deal-breaker. I do think it could have been trimmed to give a more focused sound or theme. But I think the length and variety of songs convey a sense of chaos or frustration that sits at the core to many of these songs. Likewise, it's described as a political album. I really think that's exaggerated-- yes, the Bush-era protests and reactions are there, but they sit backseat to the musical ideas. Overall, it's a behemoth, like a Thanksgiving meal of sound. It's not Radiohead's best album, but their bar is so high that it is comparatively a far better album than nearly all music of its time. I'm glad I spent time with this album as it had long been my least favorite Radiohead, and a close listen was worthwhile. My favorite tracks: "Sail To the Moon", "Where I End And You Begin", "There, There", "A Punch Up At a Wedding", "Myxomatosis".
Not their best album by far. Deserves a 4 just for "There, there".
Of course Radiohead is amazing. This isn't their very best work IMHO, but it's solid example of why they have so many fans.
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I really want to give this a 5 but it feels a bit too long and the mixing leaves a tad more to be desired. This was only my 2nd listen of this album and I am surprised at myself by how much I threw this album under the radar. To me, it does not quite reach the standard of Radiohead's absolute bests, but it certainly is not much below them. 4.5/5
Great album, shame Thom York is a pile of doggy doo doo.
Surprised this one is considered one of their less great albums, I do this it's a little bloated but honestly I enjoyed it all the same. I love when radiohead are at their most indie.
Complex, dark and light, textured, diverse.
I gave myself 2 days for this one and did 2 different listens. The first listen was the studio recording and I could identify its musical complexities but I had no idea what it was about and what it meant. 3/5 initial reaction. The next day I listened to the newly released live album. I didn't gain a new understanding of the material but the music really connected more. Im sure there are 100+ youtube videos and blogs over analyzing this and its some political commentary masterpiece. Off my 2 listens I didn't get it. Cool sounds though and I look forward to listening to more Radiohead.
When I first heard this album, I didn't get it, it. did not move much at all. I am a Radiohead fan, but this album never got high up the list for me. As the band continued to evolve, I just wasn't sure what they were doing. Listening to it today, I wouldn't say it's in my top 3 of Radiohead albums, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I had before. I think it was a little iffy with "Reckoner" and "House of Cards". "Videotape" has a bit of a "Pyramid Song" vibe to it, but creepier instead of the immense sadness I feel when I hear "Pyramid Song". A weird way to end the album, but nonetheless here we are. So all in all it's a pretty good album, much better than I remember it. Top tracks: "15 Step," "Bodysnatchers," "Nude," "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi," "All I Need," "Faust Arp"
Radiohead was really humming for over a decade between 1995's The Bends and 2007's In Rainbows. But I think this was the weakest of the six. Still better than a 3 but not a clear 4 and certainly not a 5. It just feels a bit caught between two worlds - electronica and rock - and less seamless than their other efforts. Thom Yorke's despairing vocals still shine through and there are some great tunes, including 2 + 2 = 5, Sail to the Moon, Go to Sleep, We Suck Young Blood, There There, A Punch Up at a Wedding, and Myxomatosis.
excellent
Really solid! Could’ve been a 5 if it was cut down by 15 minutes or so.
2 + 2 =5 is an absolute banger, this album is so inventive though not without some misses
You know when you have something really good? I mean like perfect and decadent as hell? Then it’s so available that you just keep consuming it. Eventually it loses meaning. You know it’s good but it doesn’t compute. That’s how I got by the end of this album. Lyrically, musically, thematically? Awesome!
Vraiment sympa, des rythmes variés, une valeur sure
Radiohead quoi… c’est super cool et très qualitatif ! Groupe de génies. Mais c’est pas joyeux haha donc ça peut vite plomber le moral
Je crois que j'avais jamais écouté un album de Radiohead du début à la fin, vraiment très cool ! Mention spéciale Sail to the Moon, We Suck Young Blood, There There, A Punch at A Wedding, Scatterbrain et A Wolf At The Door. 4/5
Essential? Not really, when Radiohead have plenty of superior albums already on the list. This one is a little under-produced and lacking focus. Nevertheless, it has plenty of variety and the performances are stellar as usual with Radiohead.
Bit dreary but great.
Based on public review? I feel like I am in the minority for liking this album, bridging their rock and electric sound albums. It's cool! Makes me want to listen to more radiohead. Not all the songs are bangers, but they are all unique and worth the time to listen thru. Political, but we've come back to the point where it's relevant again, so I feel more attuned to the messaging.
call me a male manipulator but i love radiohead
4-5
As a teenager metalhead, back in the day I despised these band. But now it is evident that the only reason is that I was stupid and I hated "normal people". This band is extremely good and each of their albums (at least those that I've heard) are special in some way. For this record, what captivated me was the electronic bases, even close to breakbeat in some parts, while keeping a kind of progressive mood. Really good one for driving (added it to my list!). Listening notes: Amazing drum sounds at the beginning of the album. pianos, ruiditos, segundo tema, breakbeat!! luego el tema de a punch up at a wedding me suena a prog 70s, to wapo. sinte masivo en myxomatosis
Combines elements of their career to date, both the rockier sounds and the electronic experimentation. Not perfect by a long shot, some dirgy parts but usually interesting and inviting of further listens.
3.5 rounded up cause I like Radiohead
Almost gave it five stars - kind of a revelation for me since I haven't spent any time with these guys.
I liked the album. It started slowly at first but then it got pretty intense. Very radiohead-y. Not my favourite album from them but still like it. Favourite track is "There, There". And I got the rear feeling of wanting to listen to it a couple more times to fully get it. Good album.
Lesser Radiohead, maybe, but still a favourite of mine. Loved it at the time, but did think it could drop a couple of tracks. 4.5 rounded down Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes, 7/1001, 7/24 (29%) Will I get? Already have Recommend: Yes
In my mind, this was always the album they were trying to create when following up OK Computer. This to me sounds like a natural next step. I was not a fan of Kid A and felt they unnecessarily messed with some of my favorite b-sides. Amnesiac was even worse. This is where Radiohead hit another home run after a couple whiffs.
This would be most artists' best album. But for Radiohead, it's probably their 6th- best album? It's very good, but not as consistently excellent as much of their other work.
Not bad but not great for Radiohead 3.7
क्या
Si bien Ok, Computer es más conocido y referenciado, Hail to The Thief tiene mucho merito propio y demuestra que Radiohead es una banda de genios musicales. Eso sí, no es un disco que le pueda recomendar a un público general.
4.5
Sullen, slow, depressing. It is lovely.
a huge album for me but nowhere near their best. wolf at the door still gives me the willies every time
2+2 actually equals 4 and that’s all the stars you’re getting. Do better next time Thom
It took me years to get into post ok computer Radiohead which is now so embarrassing to say.
Ok this is better than I remember it being. In my head, I thought the first half was really good and the rest a slog. But, there are definitely some good tunes in the back half. I think I might have been really put off by one of the REALLY slow falsetto songs that Thom insisted on.
Need more
8/10, nice but get me in my feels
Very good opener and closer, but even with the political angst, it's just not as good as some of Radiohead's other albums.
Love the experimental aspects, and I love Radiohead but I hadn’t listened to a lot of those songs before. It’s isn’t something I would usually listen to, but it’s not bad.
Great album by a great band
4/8
Myxomatosis is otherworldly.
there there timeless classic
My initial intro to Radiohead that portends greatness.
had a way better time listening to this compared to the last time i tried maybe 10+ years ago raw & experimental with a lot of delightful tracks not my favorite radiohead album as a whole, but deserves to be in the conversation
4.8
There are no 'Bad' Radiohead albums, but despite loving this at the time it's not a great album by itself. The songs are good and the peaks- There There, the bassline in Myxamatosis, the whole first third or so - are majestic, and it does reward repeated listens. But as a playlist, it drags in places. Punch Up is a bit weak, which just takes the edge off. It's a very, VERY strong 4, but I can't recommend it.
Doesn’t really hold up when compared to other Radiohead stuff, still a good album. As Om would say though, comparison is the thief of joy.
i liked it. this feels like the kind of album i wouldn't pick songs from to listen to in different contexts, which is fine because the whole thing itself feels like it belongs together. Fav tracks: There, There;
A good album for Radiohead. Started down the road of obscurity for me.
Cool use of different sounds and dissonance. A little gloomy for my taste but it’s politically charged gloom so I’m not mad at it.
⭐︎4.5 OKコンピュータとKID Aを足して割った感じ。そこまで難解ではない印象。 レディオヘッドが好きだからか、すんなり頭に入った。 長尺曲が少ないこともポイント。
This was a little tough to listen to while working, probably because I can tell that it deserves more of my attention. This is what more popular music should sound like. Accessible but intricate and interesting. Though Thom Yorke's voice does grate on me after a while. I want to give it 3.75 stars.
will listen today
This sits nicely in the pocket between the Radiohead of sublime songs and that of the white noise atonal Radiohead that can disappoint. I thought this was stronger going back to it and in the context of all the other albums here than I'd remembered. Some very high points and I think I should give this a good reappraisal.
This does really well at combining the cold electronics of Kid A and Amnesiac with the more rock oriented sound of The Bends. Great album cover too. Favorites are 2 + 2 = 5, Go To Sleep, We Suck Young Blood, A Punch Up At A Wedding, Myxomatosis, and A Wolf At The Door.
I love the melancholy, but the songs are a little too similar to listen to in one go. Favorite is Go To Sleep!
Ikke det beste albumet til Radiohead, men likevel undervurdert.
I am radioheading it.
So ahead of its time. Really bridges the gap between OK Computer and In Rainbows. Super easy to listen to, but nothing you would hear on the radio. Love Where I End And You Begin.
Love Radiohead.
It's definitely a vibe. Can get a bit gloomy listening to the full thing. Spread out the songs and it's great.
It's lesser Radiohead, but it's still radiohead
Chill vibes Me ha gustado bastante pero no ha sido espectacular
No está mal la verdad. El problema que le veo a Radiohead es que si no vas con mood triste no te va a dar más porque parece que las canciones que hacen van destinadas a esos momentos. Así como destacable pondría sail to the moon
Really enjoyed it! never gave this album a fair shake. but i really enjoy it now.
Hail to the Thief is a combination of some of Radiohead’s best (2+2=5, There There, and A Wolf at the Door) with some of the most eh filler this side of Amnesiac. Still, the hits are so great that it drags this album up to 4 Stars.
I like 2+2=5 Did NOT like Sit Down, Stand Up Very chill? I can't think of the word. Seattle rainy day vibes. Melancholy is a good word I like The Gloaming, Scatterbrain, A Wolf at the Door I do like the sound overall pretty well. I just need to be in a mood for it Rating: 4 stars (probably would listen again)
This feels... scarily relevant for what's happening in America right now. This, of course, is Radiohead's 2003 album Hail to the Thief. This is definitely one of the lesser-discussed albums in their discography. As such, I don't really think this album needs to be on this list. I think just keeping The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, and In Rainbows is the perfect representation for Radiohead on a list like this. That's not to say that Hail to the Thief is bad though, quite the contrary. The fact that this is considered one of the band's weaker albums astonishes me. You're telling me THIS is one of the worst Radiohead albums? Well, god damn! They must have a phenomenal discography then! And they do! This is my third album of theirs that I've listened to, and while I obviously didn't enjoy it as much as OK Computer or Kid A, Hail to the Thief is still an excellent album. It kind of feels like a combination of those other two albums in a way. There's clearly still some electronics left over from Kid A and its followup Amnesiac, but there's definitely more rock than on those two albums, which calls to mind the earlier Radiohead style. That's cool! I like that the band decided to move on to doing different things musically while still carrying some things over that worked on prior albums. Of course, the instrumentation is great, as is Thom Yorke's singing, but the writing is where this album really has me hooked. This is, according to many, Radiohead's most political album. Cool! I've said it a few times, but I love when music gets political. Art as a whole is inherently political, so to see musicians embrace that to actually spread a message of sorts is very respectable to me, especially with albums like this. Boy, did Thom Yorke seem to have a disdain for George Bush. Can't blame him. That guy sucked! But alas, over 2 decades later, Bush seems like a good president compared to the current guy. He's not. They both suck. Why am I trying to get political now? I'm supposed to be talking about Radiohead! Oh yeah, the point I was trying to make is that the writing rings true to this day, just with a different guy that you can apply the lyrics to. The added influences from things like 1984 on "2 + 2 = 5" and the Rwandan Genocide on "Sit Down, Stand Up" make the album even more interesting. Good writing. I've seen some people call this album bloated. I kind of get it, but I also like all of the music here so I don't really care that much. Hail to the Thief is pretty cool. It's my least favorite of the three Radiohead albums I've heard so far, but when the other two are OK Computer and Kid A, that means basically nothing. Strong 4/5.
Like most all Radiohead, this is exceptional!
Das sechste Studioalbum der britischen Band Radiohead wurde überwiegend in den Ocean Way Studios in Los Angeles aufgenommen, ergänzt durch Sessions in den Canned Applause Studios in Oxfordshire. Die Mitglieder von Radiohead stammen aus England und zählen seit den frühen 1990er-Jahren zu den prägenden Akteuren alternativer Rockmusik. „Hail To The Thief“ verbindet Elemente aus Alternative Rock, elektronischer Musik und experimenteller Popstruktur. Das Album wirkt weniger reduziert als sein direkter Vorgänger und greift wieder stärker auf konventionelle Bandinstrumentierung zurück, ohne auf die zuvor entwickelten elektronischen Texturen zu verzichten. Titel wie „There There“, „2 + 2 = 5“ und „A Wolf at the Door“ gelten als stilprägend für die Mischung aus politischem Unterton und persönlicher Desorientierung, die das Werk durchzieht. Die Produktion wirkt bewusst roh gehalten, was dem Album eine gewisse Direktheit verleiht. Textlich dominieren gesellschaftliche und medienkritische Motive, umgesetzt in fragmentierten Bildern und surrealer Sprache. „Hail To The Thief“ hinterlässt den Eindruck einer Übergangsphase zwischen Experiment und Rückbesinnung auf frühere Strukturen. Es ist ein vielschichtiges Werk mit klarer künstlerischer Haltung, das sich bewusst einer einfachen Einordnung entzieht.
So ahead of its time. Really bridges the gap between Paranoid Android and In Rainbows. Super easy to listen to, but nothing you would hear on the radio. Love Where I End And You Begin.
Can't believe there's that one guy who thinks Radiohead are boring. What a bold, original thought.
Very dynamic songs
Real spontaneity to the fusion of electric and rock elements. pretty angry lyrics. I enjoyed Myxomatosis and Go To Sleep. I definitely get the appeal of Radiohead and I think there's a lot of layers in this album I haven't uncovered yet. Good!
I love Radiohead as much as the next 90s kid, but really? The 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list includes five Radiohead albums. Five. On a list supposedly covering the greatest albums in popular music? I’d really like to know which four other great albums didn’t make the cut because of this. If I didn’t already think the list was a joke, I do now. Hail to the Thief is good. But it’s not monumental.
Radiohead is good but not sure this album should make the list since it is literally their third album on here. If we going to duplicate albums why is the entire list just not Beatles albums? That said, the album is great, it just isn't their greatest.
Everything they do sounds different but also sounds like Radiohead. I'd say the best adjective to describe that "Radiohead quality" to their music is haunting...a lot of it is due to something in Thom Yorke's voice. The title of Backdrifts makes me want to do an edit of Backdraft with this as the soundtrack. You can hear the U2 influence on this album, Achtung Baby and Pop. Radiohead definitely transitioned to a band that makes albums from a band that generates hit singles. There, There is the best song on the album. A Wolf at the Door has a very ominous feeling about it.
"Hail to the Thief" is the sixth studio album by English rock band Radiohead. Alternative rock, art rock, experimental rock and electronic rock are the Wiki-listed genres. They fit. Radiohead sought to work more spontaneously, combining electronic and rock music and employing producer Nigel Godrich who focused on live takes. Lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist Thom Yorke wrote lyrics "in response to George W. Bush's war on terror and phrases from political discourse, combining elements of fairytale and children's literature. Other bandmembers and their instruments included Jonny Greenwood (guitars, analogue systems, laptop, piano, ondes Martenot and glockenspiel), Colin Greenwood (bass, string synth, sampler), Ed O'Brien (guitars, vocals) and Philip Selway (drums, percussion). The album reached #1 in the UK and #3 in the US and received universal acclaim. "2+2=5" opens the album. Guitar strumming and drum ticks. Yorke's voice coming in sounding anxious and in general the music itself sounding anxiety driven. A dramatic build up with guitar, beats and vocals. A song about mind control: if you can get a person to believe 2+2=5" then what else. The band goes 60's folk in "Go to Sleep" with the acoustic guitar and bass. He's powerless to stop the war. The song picks up with the guitar. My favorite song on the album is "Where I End and You Begin." An ominous synth noise with Greenwood on the ondes Martenot and a New Order/Joy Division bass and drums. Handclaps and a charging guitar. I think this is about relationship boundaries and reclaiming what was once yours. I don't really care...good song. We get a really good Jonny Greenwood guitar solo in "There There." Emotional vocals and yelling and layered guitars. The band sought out to sound like the Tubeway Army in "Myxomatosis." They did a good job doing that with the electronic beats and fuzzy bass. Yorke hypnotically singing. This is a solid album and they succeeded in their goal of combining the rock and electronic with mostly good songs. They create a foreboding and anxiety-driven atmosphere. Yorke's lyrics are political and personal at times. The band admitted that the album probably needed a trimming. I'd agree; there's some filler. The album does not rank in the upper echelon of Radiohead albums for me but it is worthy going back to for a listen.
It’s a pretty damn good album. Maybe didn’t need 4 Radiohead albums on here so could probably be taken off but whatever lol
I'm not sure why this album is included, there are better Radiohead albums to choose from, this is good but not top tier Radiohead! I remember listening to the early leak of this and enjoying it but feeling a little let down when I heard the official release. All that being said it's still a Radiohead album and it's better than most of the shit I'm fed off this list
generous 4 maybe, patchy but has great moments - feels very radiohead by numbers but still better than most bands
probably my 3rd album (tied) from radio head- I LOVE RADIO HEAD 2 + 2 =5 is fav song.
One of my favorite bands but not in my top 5 of Radiohead albums. Still has some very good songs.
Very good but flawed album.
The darkest I've heard from Radiohead - abrasive and full of menace. Favourite tracks: 2+2=5, Go To Sleep, Where You End And I Begin, There There, Myxomatosis (FIFA '04)
no tiene hits pero es muy consistente en sí mismo
It's not my favorite by them
as a fan this album feels like a hidden gem Radiohead more like Radioheart bc I ❤️ them
not my favorite RadHead (slang for radio head) album, but I still really enjoyed listening to it! Thanks for making this one, guys.
well, radiohead.. do I need to say anything else ?
In the early 2000s, before In Rainbows, this ranked as my favorite Radiohead album. It is a more straightforward rock album than say, Amnesiac. It makes for a perfect gateway album. As you listen you can appreciate Thom Yorke's voice and Radiohead's style without feeling too off-put. Then once you've come around on Hail to the Thief so you can start diving into other parts of the back catalogue.
Pretty good! I listened to this a lot when it came out. Still works for me. Based on the general reivews, seems there are two types of people in the world: those who like Radiohead/Thom Yorke and those who don't. I guess I'm in the former camp. 4/5
Awesome album, love it
Not my favorite radio headset album but I do love them so much ♥️
I was in the perfect mood for this today, this was great.
I own(d) this on CD when it came out. I was big into Kid A and Amnesiac when they came out. I'm curious how this holds up. 2+2=5 seems guitar heavy... kinda punk. The Gloaming stands out as being sonically different. I remember liking Myxomatosis and it holds. The palette of sounds is pretty different from song to song. I think its a little back heavy.
Still amazing.
Radiohead throw everything at the wall here — bleeps, guitars, paranoia, piano ballads — and somehow most of it sticks. It’s not their best work, and certainly not essential, but it’s a fascinating, often thrilling snapshot of a band in transition. Even when Radiohead aren’t at their peak, they’re still miles ahead of most.
- Radiohead blindspot for me but just as good as lots of their other stuff. - "Go to Sleep" was my fav track
Great album
was never a huge radiohead fan, just knew their radio hits. i just thought it was an ok album, a little too artsy for me, but i was a fan of a band called Vast, i see now where they got some of their influence from.
Pretty good. Not my favorite by radiohead, but solid.
hauntingly beautiful, classic radiohead
5 Ok no this is not as good as some other Radiohead albums but still v good 4
I have this problem with Radiohead where many of the tracks from each record sound kinda similar because I’m not super closely listening. Regardless, could not have had a better album to walk around my neighborhood to. Not a 5 because I wouldn’t say every song is an ear worm, but beautiful work
This album is little more pop than most of what they release. I never know what to write for these guys. Everyone always loves everything they do and I’m always left feeling a little bored by it all. This wasn’t insulting or offensive and all the songs were good, but it’s just good. Another quality album, nothing special. 4/5
Je suis un millenial qui connaît très peu Radiohead (incroyable mais vrai! Je vais aller m’autoflageller dans un instant) Par exemple je n’avais jamais écouté cet album. Très dense, ça mérite une attention soutenue, dans les écouteurs. Malheureusement j’ai peu de temps pour faire ça. Malgré tout j’ai bien aimé. C’est inventif, riche en textures, mais capable de rocker aussi. Highlights: There,There et A Punch up at the Wedding. Par contre la voix de Thom Yorke c’est pas pour moi.
2+2=5 is probably one of the biggest banger made by Radiohead, especially contrasting with the rest of album, which at times is an unbelievable slugfest. I know that this is their style, but one hour of Thom Yorke's wailing is a little bit too much. In short spurts that might be the greatest band in the world though.
Maaalo naporno jer nisam bila u moodu, al jako dobro i dalje. Ima par pjesama koje ću opet slušati
Five stars for the atmosphere and production. There's honestly not many hooks that stick with me, but it simply doesn't matter on this record.
Liked it.
Well crafted album
Cualquier disco de Radiohead es bienvenido en esta lista y una experiencia. Este no está considerado entre sus obras cumbres (Ok Computer-Kid A/Amnesiac-In Rainbows) pero ha envejecido mucho mejor que sus discos de los 90 (The bends al que le tenía mucho cariño ya poco a poco me va costando cada vez más pillarle el gusto de antes, Pablo Honey se ha quedado anclado en el pasado). Este es más fácil de escuchar que los citados (salvo In rainbows, el que más me gusta), es más directo, concreto y no es tan complicado. Sigue eso sí lo de siempre, guitarras, texturas electrónicas, angustia, alienación, y ahora mucha política y opresión. Destacan A wolf a th the door, There there, The gloaming, 2+2=5, .... Sí
Lots of really interesting things going on. Lots of boring sections and annoyingly dirgey vocals. A curate's egg for me. It warrants repeat listens, I appreciate that about Radiohead.
A few really good songs and a few average songs. This was better than amnesiac but not a 5 star album. I would listen to it again but I would not necessarily want to own it . , Where I end you begin and There There are the 2 standout tracks
It grew on me at the time. Underrated for Radiohead
Whiny start, great finish
Good music, but sad, melodic and minor.
2+2=5 sooo schöni knisterndi sounds und d melodie macht meega sache. sit down stand up au seehr geil. sail to the moon wieder chli de whiny type radiochopf aber i find geil. backdrifts macht a-a-aaah findi geil. seeehr radiohead au mit de bleep bloops. bi the gloaming jetz hani biitz abghenkt, finds etz nüm soo packend brucht recht energie zums aktiv lose.
- i think i might even prefer this to ok, computer - some of the electronic stuff here is insane - weird fishes - should relisten to internalize
#351 4.25.25
8/10 This is my least listened to radiohead album but after listening all the way through, I don't know why - I don't think it's their best but I do think it has a lot of variety, it's a really good example of what radiohead sounds like all round with the rockier parts, jazz and more experimental bits. it's not a very cohesive album giving it a higher replay value, in my opinion. Songs added to playlist: - Go to Sleep - Where I End and You Begin - I Will - Scatterbrain
Hail to the Thief often gets overshadowed by the albums that came before it, but it’s one of Radiohead’s most underrated works—restless, layered, and full of quiet brilliance. It feels like a hybrid of all their past selves: the anxiety of OK Computer, the electronic abstraction of Kid A, and the rawer rock edge of The Bends, all stitched together into something sprawling and uneasy. Tracks like There There, 2 + 2 = 5, and Where I End and You Begin show just how well they can juggle atmosphere, melody, and paranoia in equal measure. It’s not as conceptually tight as some of their other records, and the tracklist could probably lose a song or two, but its messiness is part of the charm. There’s a real sense of urgency here, both politically and emotionally, and the sonic palette shifts constantly—from glitchy synths to eerie lullabies to crunching guitars—without losing its grip. It may not be their defining masterpiece, but Hail to the Thief is far more than a transitional album. It’s bold, bleak, and strangely beautiful.
I don’t love Thom Yorke’s voice. And I hate that this is still politically relevant in 2025.
I’m not sure about this one. I mean, if this album was by any other band I’d give it five stars. It got some incredible high points like Sail To The Moon, There, There and We Suck Young Blood. The thing is it’s Radiohead and I want more. I mean coming off their incredible trilogy there was a feeling that Radiohead need to come back to form. Release some proper rock. This album does try to be less electronic though not entirely so. It’s also very very very rough on the listener, unrelenting in its negativity. Now it’s not that Radiohead is usually a band with a ton of humor, but here it gets to be kinda too much. Anyway good album, the band has better ones so only four stars.
I have heard this one before but it has been a while since I listened to it in full. It is a solid album a total classic. Stand outs for me are Sail To The Moon, Where I End and You Begin and There, There.
It's a very good album, not as great as OK/KA. Still sounds fresh.
i mean, it's Radiohead. scatterbrain is best
What is a radio head?
Moody, atmospheric and took me on a journey. Didn't wow me, but didn't seem to be trying to - just nice and subtle.
Synths are craaaazy on this one man. Percussion is also bonkers, unpredictable in a good way. The whole thing has a very galactic feel. Probably my favorite Radiohead project but still suffers from what’s always their weakness to me - lyrics that are damn near impossible to process without a lyric sheet. Still though, the level of complexity and creativity in the musical elements it enough to lift this to an elite tier. Listened to: walking to shuffleboard. Favorite tracks: 2+2=5, Go to Sleep, Myxomatosis
A classic, some of their best songs on here
omg ja!! ikke første gang jeg hører hele albumet i one go, og ikke siste heller??? elsk, men ikke beste radiohead-albumet imo
Good, men de har bedre albums
I remember picking up this CD on release day and blasting it on the drive home, and being absolutely floored by the first few tracks. Not my favorite album of theirs by a mile, but it has some killer moments. There, There is excellent. Myxomatosis sounds like nothing else on this planet. The Gloaming is weird. Solid.
Not their best work but also nothing to complain about.
Deeper cuts. You can see the transition from early Radiohead (Kid A, The Bends) to the stuff they put out later (In Rainbows). Interesting and engaging but lacking the hooks / chorus you can find in some of their other stuff.
What really shines about this album is how heavily textured it is. What I mean by this is that it is very detailed, both in its instrumentation and electronics, and it is production. But I think you can say that from almost or every album from Radiohead from this time (from Kid A to In Rainbows at least). I can also add that the vocals, the guitar and bass melodies are super, that it has a sad tone and everything that characterizes Radiohead. Maybe what I could add is that I don't believe that there's a single track which stand outs from the other. Not that they don't have personality, but more like that they all work very well together, making it a very coherent listen (although it has its low points).
Experimental, quiet rock album.
Real good, progressive, cool synths, doesn't rock as hard as other radiohead but very cool
Stole this CD from a Goodwill when I was about 16 or so, had to do it because of the name. Another amazing Radiohead record; at times propulsive, melancholy, uneasy, affirming.
Remaining a gripping snapshot of their exponential creativity, merging the band’s past experiments into a chaotic yet cohesive whole, i put this on the elite of the list. The album’s opening run is its crown jewel: the snarling urgency of “2 + 2 = 5,” the paranoid crescendo of “Sit Down. Stand Up. That's pure gold. When i heard these songs a long time ago i was captured by their melancholy alligned with the complexity of the rehearsal. These tracks blend the electronic grit of their post-OK Computer era with flashes of psychedelia—think swirling synths, disorienting vocal layers, and lyrics that drift in a thin radioheadesque line. If i could, 4.5. I'm in the beggining of this project, so i could even change the notes from bands who had a lot of albuns here.
Começar dizendo que Radiohead é minha segunda banda favorita. Mas esse disco é meu segundo menos favorito, na frente apenas de Pablo Honey. Sim, chocante ! Como posso rankear o disco com 2+2=5, MYXOMATOSIS (A melhor!!), Where I End and You Begin, There There, I Will, Wolf At The Door, entre outras pedradas, tão baixo?! É simples na real. Na minha visão, esse album e Pablo Honey são os ÚNICOS discos do Radiohead com musicas que considero inconsequentes, fillers, digamos assim. E esse pensamento foi ecoado pelos próprios membros da banda em futuras entrevistas. Mas entenda, até um dos meus albuns menos favoritos do Radiohead ainda seria o melhor album da discografia de muitas bandas por aí, os caras são bons nesse nível. Se esse album tivesse só algumas faixas cortadas ele facilmente estaria no top 5 da banda. Uma pena! Ele faz uma ponte deliciosa entre os dois lados opositores do Radiohead, eletronico e guitarresco... Essa ponte existe não só na tracklist, mas dentro da própria composição das faixas. Eles repetiriam isso novamente no In Rainbows alguns anos depois, e aquele sim é um album que eu considero perfeito! (Mesmo assim não é meu favorito deles, rsrsrs) Então pro HTTT, vou deixar um 4/5. As músicas boas fazem parte do creme de la creme da banda, mas as fillers tankam a nota. Falta coesão ! Ainda o amo, mas não chega perto de ser o melhor que a banda entregou. Quais musicas eu tiraria? 1- Backdrifts 2-We Suck Young Blood 3-The Gloaming 4-Go to Sleep. Assim, o album ficaria com 10 faixas e com 40 minutos quase redondinhos, na minha opinião, uma duração perfeita !! "Just 'cause you feel it... Doesn't mean it's there..." 4/5
Radiohead so good when there's not a bitch in ya ear telling you they don't get it
Actually a lot better than I remembered.
Love the band but this album is meh Maybe 4 good songs, but as an album i can't justify going through it
I gave it a four because I know you wouldn’t give it a 5.
"2+2=5" is one of the best opening track in RH's discography. I find the second part of the album way more effective and explosive. The first half is pretty inconsistent. It came out at this weird period in the band's career (after OK computer & KID A but before In Rainbows) so still in a transition from styles. Since it's a Radiohead album and they are my favorite band, I can't give it less than a 4-star rating but it's a light 4. Fav songs : A Wolf at the Door (masterpiece)& Myxomatosis
I was wondering why at more than 200 albums into this list I've had 4 Leonard Cohen and 4 Elvis Costello albums but zero Radiohead albums. Now I'm wondering why those chose this one and not The Bends, OK Computer, In Rainbows. For me it's not their strongest work. There are some great songs - "There, There", "A Wolf At the Door", "Where I End and You Begin", "2+2=5". And there are "We Suck Young Blood" and "The Gloaming" which probably only diehard Radiohead fans can tolerate. This album still has funky drum beats, tense riffs and unexpected shifts that make Radiohead who they are. An angsty 3.5 rounded up.
Listened to this one twice before making a judgement, mainly cause I was ill the first listen and fell asleep for some songs. This album was pretty goated, started off strong with a more accessible rock song and delved into a bunch of cool Radiohead shenanigans from there, i like pretty much every song but my favourites were the last two. However, there were some songs that I wasn’t really a fan of like sit down stand up, we suck blood and the gloaming which weren’t bad I just didn’t really get them, had a similar situation with other songs on here on the first listen but like them on the second. Overall a very strong 4 (8.5/10)
Good
a pastel rock-electronic fugue of an edgy intellectual teenager lamenting The Man, ft. Sigur Ros style vocals, a few unusually catchy progressions, and some pretty creative instrumental layering. maybe a song or 2 too long. 4.25/5
I wasn’t exactly enjoying this album, but I think the second half saved it for me. It was more of the Radiohead sound that I enjoy, even if there were some songs that had repeated lyrics that wear on you. I was thinking this would be a three early on, but I feel comfortable giving this a four. I would definitely want to give it another listen at some point.
Excellent.
Radiohead, what can you say? This band does it all and does it all beyond exception with every effort. There 6th offering is no different, it just might be there must inconsistent yet it still delivers. It's a 5 in my books but given there are others in the catalog that notch above i had to subtract. Do we all get that?
The most average Radiohead album in my opinion, but if this is the average it really goes to show how great this band is. This is a very good album it just feels less remarkable than the albums that came before and after it. Plenty of great songs here including "2+2=5" and "A Wolf At the Door" which have always been favorites of mine. At the very least this album is better than "Pablo Honey" and "King of Limbs". Favorite track: A Wolf At the Door 3.5/5
Radiohead demeure souvent un mystère pour moi. Écouter cet album est pour moi comme regarder un rideau opaque. Je comprends à moitié ce que je dois comprendre. P-ê trop intellectuel pour moi?
I listened to this album while watching the twilight turn into the night and it perfectly matched the vibe of the music. I think I will need several more listens to fully appreciate "Hail To The Thief", but I really enjoyed my first listen. I liked the contrast between the standard rock instrumentation and the otherworldly vocals and electronic elements. For the most part, it was difficult to make out the lyrics, and I hope future listens will help make them clearer. Favorite song: Either "There, There" or "Where I End and You Begin"
Underrated Radiohead album, has some of their best Stand-Alone tracks such as Where I end and You Beign and There, There.
Weak Radiohead album but still pretty good. Favourite Songs: 2 + 2 = 5, Sail to the Moon, Where I End and You Begin. Least Favourite Songs: We Suck Young Blood, The Gloaming.
Zum Ende hin sehr gut.
Enjoyed it, always like radio head, a few standout songs but it was very good as being a background track for what I wanted to do. Experimental in some areas but very core to what I know of radiohead.
Super awesome. Unfortunately I’m coming to the slow conclusion that the apex of my radiohead fandom might have already happened. Nonetheless this record is super underrated
the most obviously gimmicky of the radiohead albums. But some of these songs are just all-timers. Myxomatosis, Wolf at the Door, and THERE, THERE?!?!?! god incredible stuff, might be my second favorite radiohead album. but also some real lowlights, so gonna be a strong 4.5
Love this
one of the radiohead albums i was not super familiar with did not disappoint
not even like top5 radiohead albums but some very good songs here
This is some Bush era stuff right here. Prob some sicko out there who cites this as his favorite R Head album. Def not me, but I still dig the majority of this and can’t bring myself to put it with the sea of 3s on this project. Feel like I’d be grading them on a different curve.
This comes at the tail end of a very prolific era for Radiohead as this is the third album in four years. In a way it can feel like the last few drips squeezed out of a sponge, or rather it's the least crowd-pleasing of the bunch (still managed to reach number 1 on the UK Albums Chart). Consistingly almost entirely of their slower synthy sad style of songs. I'd say it's just as good as anything that they come out with but it requires a certain mood and lacks diversity of sound and feel.
For this album to not even be in Radiohead’s top 4/5 albums is actually insane. It slightly lacks character compared to Kid A/OK Computer but this is definitely a banger
The raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops. Anybody else, or is it just me? “Sail To The Moon,” “Backdrifts,” “Where I End and You Begin,” “A Punch Up At A Wedding,” “Myxomatosis.” So many bangers!
Solid
Not my favorite from Radiohead
Really underrated Radiohead album. It has the creativity, lyrics, atmosphere, passion, and overall enjoyable experience. Not sure what's not to love
texture, orchestration, worth revisiting
Leider wird radiohead (neben American psycho und fight club) ja von coolen männers gerade "entdeckt" und hat deswegen leider nicht so einen guten Ruf, aber ich war einfach schon als depri Teenie Fan von ihnen und werds auch immer bleiben.
some of their best on here, but more of their worst
YESSSSSS ANOTHER RADIOHEAD. it is the weakest radiohead album after pablo honey tbh. but 2+2=5 and a wolf at the door are pure gold. (2+2-1.5)/5 aka 3.5/5
Great album . Forgot how good it was x
Very good alt rock! It fits the mellow mood really well.
It's a good album. Unfortunately I got two Radiohead albums in the span of three days. So I had Ok Computer really fresh oh my mind. This isn't not as good as Ok Computer. I feel like it should he a 4, but who know, maybe if I listened to it a few weeks separated it would have made it to 5
Sad boy songs
Really enjoyed this more than I have in the past, not a classic Radiohead album but still great. 2+2=5, There, There and A Wolf At the door area all time great Radiohead songs
It's really a 4.5 but I couldn't give it a 5
I generally like my Radiohead soaking in misery. There are some tracks on here that don't really fit the bill - Backdrifts, Go To Sleep, The Gloaming to name but a few. When it hits hard though, it REALLY hits hard. Favourite tracks: 2 + 2 = 5, Sit Down, Stand Up, Sail To The Moon, Scatterbrain, A Wolf At the Door.
would listen to again
7/10
Probably my least listened to Radiohead record.
Great album
Música pra instalação de arte contemporânea
I am very familiar with Radiohead's discography, having listened to most of their albums. Last time I heard this album was probably around 2020. I remember feeling indifferent about it then. Interested to see what I think about it now. I enjoy the energy of the first track. Solid opener. Fun switchup. 3.8/5 Atmospheric. Builds well on the piano loop. Electronic bass is deep and fuzzy. Great layering. I enjoy the mix. Electronic section is a strong addition. Plays welo with the drums. Fantastic bassline. 4.5/5 Distant sounding instrumentation at the beginning sets the tone of the track. Guitar is well executed. I enjoy how much space there is in the song. Radiohead(tm) vocals. Really enjoyable harmonies. Cold track. Relisten. Tentative 4/5 Not sure if I like or if I hate the panning effect here. Reminds me of Kid A. Noise elements are integrated well. Intriguing instrumental section. Underwater vibes, feels like experiencing pressure at the bottom of a pool. Liked it 4/5 Instrumental contrasts heavily to the last song. Alt rock aucustic guitars, faster tempo, production tries to make it sound big though it ends up feeling a bit empty and almost uninspired. A bit boring 3/5 Opening bassline shows promise. Vocal effects immideately noticable. The bass and synths keep me interested. Vocal melody is very well written. Beautiful background effects. Electric guitar adds grit to an otherwise smooth musical landscape. 4.3/5 Claps and piano combined, usually a personal red flag. Opening vocals come off as a bit jarring. Gorgeous vocal layering. Builds into a chaotic break, interesting. Haunting background vocals. Mixed thoughts, song works, might need repeat listens to fully get. 3.5/5 Static is not pleasant playing loudly through headphones. Sparse underneath the very electronic instrumentation. Cold and technological, the repeating vocals add a nice atmosphere. Enjoyed that overall 4/5 Rythmic. Catches the ear immideately. Exelently crafted vocal melody. Instrumental switchup comes at the perfect time. Builds upon the vocals to create a very fun pattern. Background guitar sounds great. Bass needs a mention too. Best track so far 5/5 Simple and eerie. Strange delivery. Interlude/5 Builds up strongly at the start. Funky instrumentation. Repetitive tendencies, gets a bit boring after a while. Piano too loud in the mix, overpowering at times. Could be a grower but for now 3/5 Tight and loud electronics with slurred drunk sounding vocals. Ugly sounding. Overstimulating. Does however feel like it's done on purpose to drive home the point of the song. Hard to judge on a "first" listen 3/5 Guitar is nice. Passionate delivery. Builds up into beautiful moments. Great execution of a great and relatable concept for a song. 4.5/5 Stressful, lyrically dense. I enjoy the release that comes with the howl at the end. Confusing. 3/5 Fave track: There There Least fave track: Go to Sleep
Not bad, vocals are an acquired taste.
very dreamy but no loves
I think I am starting to get Radiohead now that this is their 3rd album. Still not quite sure I am a Thom guy quite yet, but the rest of the music is very cool. Think I need to go back and listen to In Rainbows again now that I understand what Radiohead has to offer.
Decent album. Not completely sure how to rate it as this is my first album on this website, and I don't have others to compare it to. -Not as good as OK Computer, In Rainbows, The Bends, or Kid A. - Glad I listened because it was a Radiohead album I have not listened to. -The Instrumentals took the lead in most songs. - (Maybe) worst Radiohead album I've heard. - Began to grow on me - Favorite Songs: There, There and Myxomatosis
I seem to be dishing out four stars to a lot of albums lately in this project. I don't know why. Perhaps it is because I'm learning to appreciate a wider range of music? Or perhaps I just can't be bothered to ruminate fully about how I feel about a given album. Anyway, I'm going to give four stars to this album, because I like it more than Amnesia or OK Computer, and I gave three stars to both of those. Therefore, this has to be a four.
I remember buying this CD.. still great.
I think Radiohead is great. One night I heard Karma Police and was thrilled. Since then, I've listened to more and more of the band and integrated them into my constant stream. And so I also knew this album and have it in my collection. But apparently I didn't listen to it that closely. I love the songs 2+2=5 and There, There. The rest appeals to me much less. That's actually a bit disappointing. This is still a good Radiohead album, but there are clearly better ones by the band. 4/5
Ok the highlights on this album were incredible, with “2 + 2 = 5” probably being my favorite, but “There, There” and “Where I End and You Begin” also being standouts. At this point in Radiohead’s discography, there were 2 groups of fans they had: those who preferred their more traditional rock sounds of “The Bends” and “OK Computer”, and the other group of fans who preferred the more experimental/electronic sounds of “Kid A” and “Amnesiac”. Personally I’m in the former, but I feel like this album does a good job of bridging the gap between those two camps. This album is pretty political and that can get pretty one-note and tiring, especially when you add in the fact that this is Radiohead’s longest album, coming in at 56 minutes. Overall, I really enjoyed it, but it wouldn’t be the first Radiohead album I’d recommend to someone. 3.5⭐️
A loveable mess. I will forever die on the Hail To the Thief hill as being the last truly great album from Radiohead, and their high point in a few respects. Having initially listened to their discography in a mostly-chronological order, I can't express how gratifying it was to hear Radiohead go full menace and paranoia, being a sound that I had been teased oh-so-graciously by with songs such as Street Spirit, Climbing up the Walls, The National Anthem and all of Amnesiac. From a lyrical perspective, this is easily the highlight of Radiohead's discography, even if some parts are rightfully infamous. The themes of docility, terror and subversion are about as relevant to today's age as they were when this album released, and there's an artfulness to the symbolism and metaphor that I really dig - it's perfectly suited to Thom's wistful and intense singing voice. From a musical perspective, this is quite possibly their most ambitious album in an ocean full of heavy hitters. It lacks the fidelity and ambition of the albums I consider to be greater than this one, but it mangles, stomps and blends their sounds together into a gloriously diverse and robust package (with a generous helping of kraut rock, to boot). As an aside, I would like to say that I quite enjoy the B-Side material from this era of the band. Paperbag Writer became an instant favourite of mine with it's gloriously skittish and ungratifying sound. I am Citizen Insane and Where Bluebirds Fly are interesting curios of a post-Kid Amnesiac Radiohead and the remaining songs are all really pleasant and nice. A great break from how full-on the rest of the album's material is. It's way too long and there may be a few songs that are potentially, quite possibly, bad, but nothing can break my love for this album. It doesn't deserve to be the lowest rated post-Pablo Honey King of Limbs non-inclusive album on every music cataloging site.
it was nice couldn’t finish it though
I didn't expect how electronic this was, from drums all the way to synth and laser sound effects. There's even lots of atmospheric and textured layers throughout songs that lean more towards rock/alternative. I've mentioned this in other reviews, but I love synchopation and atypical rhythms/polyrythms and we have some of that in a lot of these songs. There's songs that feel like they don't stay in the same time, I assume it's on purpose or I'm wrong though. Super interesting, not really what I was expecting, low 4s because some of the electronic stuff did sorta drag on and mix together. It's made me interested to listen to more of their stuff and see how they evolved from their first few albums into this one.
Whenever I hear Radiohead, I think to myself "Self, you should listen to more Radiohead." In Rainbows is the only album I REALLY know, and that one is incredible. These are good tunes. When it was over, I could have spun it again. I probably could have listened to it all day, but no tracks really grabbed me. Didn't really get the allegory of the US election or whatever, but maybe I could unpack that on more listens.
Remember when this album was supposed to be a jab at George W Bush because people thought he stole the 2000 election? Look how far we came. Anyway, Radiohead is like U2 where each album is a different direction taken in music. Hail to the Thief was a little polarizing for being so different at the time, but after a revisit now it feels comfortable. 4/5
I don't love this album, but i don't hate this album either. Honestly, i think this is one of those albums that only exists, and it is pretty small compared to "the holy trinity" of Radiohead albums (OK Computer, Kid A and In Rainbows). Even when this album hits the spot, it awkwardly misses right after. Ironic, 'cause i use to consider this one of my favourites by them, despite certain duds of pure beeps and boops (looking at you, "We Suck Young Blood," "Sit Down, Stand Up," "Backdrifts" and the crown of shit, "The Gloaming") But what truly redeems this album are the singles. Oh my God, "There There" and "2+2=5" are some of the best songs in the Radiohead catalog. Also, the experimental rap of "A Wolf At The Door" deserves your love as well, and "Where I End And You Begin" is a peak example of techno + guitar-driven music. From a political view, we could argue that this collection of songs directly or indirectly conveys a "fuck Bush" kind of thing, considering the title and context. Yet some of the lyrics are lavishly idiotic and repetitive, particularly from Thom, someone i regard as one of the best songwriters of his generation...
Εννοω συνειδητοποιω οτι ειναι απτα αλμπουμ με πολλες λεπτομερειες και ποτενσιαλ να ανεβαινει στα ματια σου ανα listen δεν θεωρω οτι καταφερνει να αποσπασει κατευθειαν απο εμενα 5 αστερια. Λατρευω 2 3 κομματια τα υπολοιπα μαρεσουν ως "μουσικη" αλλα δεν χτυπανε εντονα.
I can understand how someone might not enjoy Radiohead or not enjoy this album in particular, but I think it's pretty strong. Runs just a touch too long, maybe.
it was fine
I historically get kind of annoyed by Radiohead and this album is exactly why ~ I mean, I get it, and their sound is cool but I just never find myself wanting to listen to it. Kudos for being Radiohead ~ well done for it being what it is.
Not quite as melodic as some others of theirs, but still very much enjoyed it, feel like one that would grow on me.
I'd give it 3.5 if I could. It's too noodly, tbh.
ооох это было испытание для есфп опыт безусловно интересный,очень понравились инструментал песен и тексты это прям нереально круто всё но исполнение Тома Йорка погружало меня в депрессию (это ему комплимент) а мне не нравится такое состояние (исключение песня myxomatosis она вообще совершенно другая вот ее я себе и добавила) я клоню к тому что очень уважаю рэдиохед и восхищаюсь ими но это не моё 🙏
Had a couple of epiphanies just relistening to this. But i’m not a fan of the quieter songs
A moody album, of its time, but very strong.
Album art:4
Never really listened to the later Radiohead albums so this was a new one for me. It was better than I was expecting and I enjoyed some songs but some others felt like they were just flinging sounds into the mix hoping something would stick. Which didn’t always work in my opinion. An enjoyable listen though and one I will go back to.
My interest in Radiohead declined steadily as they evolved away from The Bends and OK Computer, so I hadn’t listened to this one in years. There are clearly some good songs on there and less of the weird ones from others albums. I really tried to love this, but the lack of catchiness and probably simplicity to the tunes stops it being a classic. I am pretty sure that making the songs inaccessible was what they were trying to achieve. Best track: There there 3.75
Definitely a ‘return to form’ after that Kid A experiment rubbish. Albeit this latter phase of their career carries some of the vibe of that. Anyway, there are some really great tracks in here, and some average ones (Thom does have a habit to overdo the wailing sometimes). But given I do listen to this and other latter Radiohead albums when I’m in the mood, that counts it for a 4* for me. I’m not sure what that mood is exactly, I guess a more quiet retrospective one, not one where you need music to cheer you up.
Favourite song - Where I end and you begin
There's something about this band that I really like and I really don't like. Why is that? Maybe Thom Yorke's voice gets on my nerves after a while? Lyrically and musically, I enjoy them. I'm not sure why I feel this way about Radiohead. 3.5 stars.
I like this album more every time I listen. Which might be true for all Radiohead.