Reviews (page 6 of 13)
I did listen to this and liked it. not as much as some of their other stuff but it's Radiohead man! 4 stars.
Ovome sam se baš veselio. Dugo sam hejtao Radiohead i nisam im nikad dao priliku, a ovaj projekt je savršena prilika za tako nešto. Ono što mi je prije smetalo, a i dalje je malo iritantno, je taj njegov glas koji je savršen za bijele britanske mame koje se žale što ne mogu naći savršen popust na black friday akcijama. Ali se jako dobro uklapa u glazbu i daje taj neki melankolični štih tomu svemu Vidi se zašto su postali veliki bend, iako se tu potencijalno čuju utjecaji svega i svačega imam osjećaj da oni svoju glazbu izvode na svoj način Ima malo napornih trenutaka tipa I Will pjesma mi nije baš sjela, ali na pjesmu There, There sam baš fino zagruvao Sviđa mi se način na koji koriste elektroniku, od syntheva, bubnjeva do buke Jako mi je drago što sam poslušao ovaj album i ne mogu vjerovati da mi se album sviđa! Evo, palo je moje prvo iznenađenje od početka
thom yorke
Þetta er ekki uppáhalds Radiohead platan mín. Frekar mörgt steikt vælulög. En experimentalisminn er alltaf til staðar og nokkur geggjuð lög eins og There, there. Erfitt að fara lægra en 5. En þá væri in rainbows og ok computer 7.
Heldur ekki ein af mínum uppáhaldsplötum Radiohead og jafnast ekki alveg á við risana þeirra. Geldur fyrir það. En það breytir því ekki að í heildarmenginu er þetta frábær plata.
Love Radiohead, this is awesome but not one of my favorites, together with Pablo Honey and Amnesiac (and still gave Amnesiac a 5 due to fanboyism, i still regret that) fav tracks: There, There, Sail to the Moon, Where I End and You Begin, I Will, A Wolf at the Door
# Album Name: Hail To The Thief # Artist: Radiohead # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: First half of the album is much stronger. Takes a bit of a dip after track 6. There’s some decent tracks on the 2nd half like there there, mixamatosis and wolf at the door but not at the same level as the first half. You can feel the transition of style which leads to the later albums. I prefer the earlier bends/OKC albums over this. However, its still a good album! # Top Tunes: 2+2 / Sit Down, stand up / Sail to the moon / GTS / Where i end.. / there there # Would I listen to it again? Yes
The lyrics were written under the impression of George W. Bushs election as president. What kind of album would that be now, after the second election of Donald Trump.
Most underrated RH ALBUM
3.5
Good Radiohead but not transcendent Radiohead. Rock instruments, electronic instruments, energetic songs, atmospheric spacey songs, Thom Yorke’s voice, Greenwood’s perplexing riffs - it’s all here folks.
The thief in the title refers to Israel, whom Thom and Johnny both support in the illegal occupation and outright genocide of the Palestinian people. I love Radiohead's music, this album is solid and Kid A is one of my favs ever, but it's getting harder to enjoy the music knowing the people behind it support genocide so wholeheartedly.
I may be biased because I thoroughly enjoy Radiohead’s music, but I will try my best to be fair. Radiohead’s music always resonated well with me with their songs usually building up on instruments slowly and developing into an orchestra of emotion. Some of my favorite songs on the track are 2+2=5, sail to the moon, and go to sleep. While I don’t think this is one of Radiohead’s best albums, I’d definitely say it’s worth listening to as their instrumentals and lyrics are enchanting and always seem to amaze me.
This was my day-after-the-election album, and it feels quite fitting.
At times grandiose and angry, then gentle and mesmerising, sometimes even sinister. With Thom's long held notes and the thick instrumentation, it's the kind of album that completely washes over you and coats you in a mood.
Favourite tracks: there there; punch up at a wedding; 2+2=5; scatterbrain; wolf at the door
Yep, that sure is Radiohead alright
Another solid album!
The bends will always be my favorite. This is a good record. They touched a lot of different genres here.
Ahh Radiohead - the masters of making music that forces me to question every facet of my existence. This was my first time listening to this album front to back, and what a ride it was.
Radiomiddest
Great album, a little messy
Contain the best Radiohead song (where i end and you begin). And at some point this was my favourite Radiohead album: all the different aspects of their music come together and strong songwriting overall ..but now: cannot stand this way of singing anymore, (in fact it often sounds pretty horrible to me). 2003: 5 stars 2024: 4 stars
Most of the songs are brilliant. Yet somehow the album does not feel like 5 stars for me, perhaps because it's not entirely coherent and it's too long.
Is it a great band operating at (or near) the peak of its powers? Yes. Is it also too long (by at least a few cuts) and somewhat indifferent/directionless compared to their other fantastic work of this same vintage? Their sixth or seventh best record is better than the best of most other artists in this esteemed list.
I enjoyed this, particularly the first 3/4, which I found quite emotive at times. My attention started to wane a little towards the end on the first listen but I look forward to listening again with earphones.
There are some really good tracks here. Some others could’ve done with not being here. If this had been trimmed to a 40min album could’ve possibly been a 5* for me
Not my favourite Radiohead album but nether the less a great revisit to it and staggered to be reminded it’s over 20 years old. “There There” the stand out of the singles released from it. Considering it was touted as a bit of a Protest album against the newly elected President Bush I don’t get a great deal of anger in it (certainly not from a Radiohead perspective anyway). Forgot what a great track “punch up at a wedding” was. And probably the 1st album where the band mashed together their old Indy rock sound with their new electronica experiments - early stirrings of what the Smile are now. Solid 4 for this one from me.
Sorry Radiohead, this album you hate is great.
-1 killed wife not their best also
After not listening to them much I find that I enjoy their sound
Gave it a RadioHead 4 even though it's a 5 probs.
Yeah, even as a long-time Radiohead fan, I can't let myself give every album of theirs 5 stars - not even to offset some of the mind-boggling 1- and 2-star reviews on here. This project is Radiohead's wild, bloated whirlwind - and after enough listens, it starts to hit pretty dang hard. Every track is charming in its own way, even the two-track dip of We Suck Young Blood and The Gloaming, and (contrary to the band's own opinion) I wouldn't cut any tracks out. Truly the White Album of Radiohead (and possibly of alternative rock overall, considering how big this album was upon its release). There's a paragraph from another reviewer that really resonated with me here: "So yeah, there's a lot going on here. Not all of it works, it's bumpy tempo transition-wise, and some of it just isn't even palatable the first time around. But despite its flaws, the LP presents such a logical step in the band's discography and overall sound that it shines in context (and honestly presents some experimental pathways I wish the band had followed). I don't fault anybody who hates this on first listen or just doesn't get it - an album that requires understanding an entire band's output to 'get' isn't perfect by a long shot. For me, though, I keep coming back to this runt of the litter LP that wears its 'Scatterbrain' on its sleeve and finding things new to love about this band." Seriously, though, whoever's calling Radiohead "boring" with the ridiculously intricate instrumentation, rhythms, chords/harmonies, and melodic lines has to be kidding themselves. A song doesn't have to be catchy to be engaging, but half of these are catchy anyway, and several of them made my "key tracks" list. The outro to 2+2=5 is explosive and packed with energy, as is the outro of the following track, Sit Down, Stand Up. The exciting country-esque acoustic guitar of Go To Sleep is also worth mentioning, and the chorus of A Wolf At the Door is as great as choruses can reasonably get. We hear an eclectic mix of styles from all throughout the band's career to that point - including The Bends-era, OK Computer-era, and Kid A / Amnesiac-era instrumentation and mood. I appreciate the overarching theme of the authoritarian government patting you on the head and telling you it'll be okay. Who doesn't like free pats? 4/5 Key tracks: 2+2=5, Sail To The Moon, Go To Sleep, There, There, A Wolf At the Door
Liked it better than I thought! Can see adding some of these to liked songs. Liked the buildup of some of them.
Very sonically interesting with lots of satisfying dissonance.
I have to avoid reading about what Thom Yorke thinks about his own work because it seems like I always disagree. For instance, he thought the song Backdrifts could have been left off the album when I thought it was a standout. Nonetheless, "Hail to the Thief" is like all Radiohead albums - never not interesting. Sonically shocking us this time, not with sounds like they lit a synthesizer on fire, but with acoustic guitar and a drum kit. WELL PLAYED, Radiohead. Well played.
I am at an odd impass. Sometimes an album I have never heard is not immediately some form of GOAT for me. Sometimes I have a vague awareness that it is something special but I need to listen to it a few times and let it sink in. I get that vibe with Hail to the Thief. Underneath is something really special. I just need to process it longer. I listened to this and Kid A in a row and believe I may end up liking this more after a while. This problem makes ratings "regrettable" when I under-rate something that later I find way better than I thought. I did this with Arcade Fire (off the top of my head) and a select few others over the years. I will not make that mistake now and offer an honest four stars.
Ya lo conocía, no me vuelve loca.
In many ways this is Radiohead’s loosest albums, often times feeling like a jam that hasn’t quite evolved to a finished song. But that’s a quality that I enjoy on this album given this bands tendency towards meticulous songwriting. At certain moments this is also the closest thing to what feels like a Radiohead folk album then it goes right back into an electronic freak out. Overall, there are many chances being taken through out the album, some land beautifully and some not as much. But that’s the nature of taking big swings. That being said none of the songs are bad too me and really, a less than perfect Radiohead song is still a great song in the context of other bands that have lasted as long as they have. Johnny Greenwood leans more into chaotic dirty guitars on this album which really gives the songs more life and personality. The “raindrops” section at the end of “Sit Down. Stand Up” is one of my favorite moments in a Radiohead song. That song, “Where I End and You Begin,” “There, There,” “A Punch Up at a Wedding,” “Myoxmatosis,” and “A Wolf at the Door” are all highlights from this album. Always a pleasure revisiting this one.
Dense, yet sprawling. Claustrophobic. A lot of a lot going on. Heavy. A feeling of sinking. Redemption is still possible.
This is one of my more favored Radiohead albums. I think the word for this album is rhythm. There seems to be a reoccurring emphasis on rhythm. All throughout there are interesting time signatures and time shifts, moreso than I've picked up on other Radiohead albums. It's been quite some time since I've listened to this album but I remember Backdrifts being one of the standouts. Listening to it now I feel like it is one of the stronger songs on the album, and it feels cinematic. I also dig Where I End and You Begin and Myxomatosis is a rhythmic clinic.
Radiohead is the most bipolar band I've encountered. Some of their stuff is brilliant and some of it is shit. And then there's this. This was pretty ok.
love the left right audio manipulation
Niet zo goed als ok computer, kid a of in rainbows maar toch wel nice dingen soms
I have something of a love/hate relationship with Radiohead albums; I don't care too much for OK Computer, while I prefer Kid A and Amnesia. I find Thom Yorke's vocals a bit difficult at times, and I think that's the source of by reserved opinion of the band's work. I was interested to listen to this album, coming as it did after Kid A and Amnesia, and located as a rather political commentary. And I do rather like this one.
Some filler but a lot of killer. Not their best but some bangers.
Best Muse album so far
This album is slightly too long but it's Radiohead so it's hardly anything to complain about
It's a lot of moody wailing but somehow it works. Very evocative.
another great album by this great band. having said that, I like radiohead as much as the next guy, but by my count this is somehow the sixth radiohead album on this list (so far)?
Always good
I‘ve listened to this on my way to work while it was raining and while it was putting me in a sad mood in the beginning it lifted me up in the middle again. So rain was the perfect weather for this one and I went from disliking it to like it more and more. In the end it’s still Radiohead.
Fav: There, There Least Fav: The Gloaming Finally got an album I’ve already heard before! As far as Radiohead goes it’s got a couple flaws with the weaker songs but a majority of this album is amazing. Even some of the more experimental stuff was pretty nice, for the most part, with the highlights being conveniently at the beginning, middle and end of the album.
Pretty bold, and a few of the songs really grabbed my attention. I still wasn't in the right headspace to listen to this one at the time, so I really want to listen a few more times.
Not my favorite Radiohead Album but still great work
Love me some Radiohead.
2004 passed me by. Whispery vocals, different lyrics & themes. Indie & experimental?
Not their best album, but still full of really impressive stuff.
Out of all the Radiohead albums this is probably my fifth favourite, would doesn’t seem great until you think about how good a set of studio albums they have.
A little chiller, a little more fun, a little rockier than the past couple Radiohead albums I’ve listened to for this list. Kind of a return to basics. I enjoyed it!
More affirmation that snooty Radiohead fans are right, maybe they are the best band ever (3.5/5)
Radiohead has always done a good job walking the line between musical virtuosity and mental insanity. The music is masterful articulate and dynamic and so many ways that express moods that immediately connect with the human emotion. Hail to the Thief is exactly one of those albums. It takes one to an emotional roller coaster from happy to sad remorse to potentially even psychotic. Songs like the Gloaming combine so many genres/sounds it hardly even sounds like rock anymore, and then is succeeded immediately by songs like There There and I Will, which being you back to calm and jubilant. It’s hard to pick a favorite but I have to say I lean toward the guitar driven Go to Sleep, simply because it’s a throwback to the Radiohead I first heard. This album is an audiophile’s dream.
Kinda a tiny tiny bit different from the Radiohead albums I’m familiar with, but still plenty of standouts and still really good!
It’s a good album. It was a little “grundge”, which isn’t always up my alley but I still enjoyed it.
I've listened to this album for almost 15 years now, and it has stood the test of time well. This album isn't necessarily cohesive, and instead comes off similar to it's album artwork - a series of loosely connected vignettes with similar themes. Yet it's through this style that this album stands out amongst Radiohead's catalogue of more seamless albums. Some of the tracks are not as strong as others given this style of delivery, which lowers the overall score a tad, but all around an iconic album and a unique one in Radiohead's discography. 4.2/5 -> 4/5
Post 9/11 angst music. How soon we forget.
4 - I originally a 3, but I thought it deserved another listen and changed my mind. Certain tracks blended together, but it was a case of “the whole is greater than the sum of parts”
It is a very low energy album which makes sense surrounding the inspiration and context surround it. It made me curious to read more about Thom Yorke and Radiohead as I have seen him in concert but was not previously familiar with him and his music. I found his story to be quite interesting, especially his aversion to fame in the start of his career.
I liked this upon re-listening better than I remember liking it when it came out.
In my early 20s I bounced between every Radiohead album as my "favorite" for a moment. All of them. The Bend, OK Computer, Amnesiac, and even The King of Limbs. I've had a lot of time to mull over RH's nine albums, and most days this is my least favorite (PH excluded). Which feels wrong, because this is an excellent album. It has all the juice that makes for a great alternative rock album. I think it comes down to, what feels to me as, a lack of a consistent sound, and that HTTT is Radiohead's longest album. The album lacks a sense of focus that their other records have. Maybe a minor complaint, but I usually check how far I am into the album around The Gloaming and am surprised to see there's still six more tracks. Could benefit from some light pruning. The opener and closer are big standouts for me, along with Sail to the Moon, Go to Sleep, and Myxomatosis. *Heard before
Solid Radiohead. Not as good as Kid A or In Rainbows
not ok computer but what is. a wolf at the door is really good
One of the worst radiohead albums and it's amazing
Yeah this is good stuff. Not one I’d listened too before, but one I’ll listen to again. Simpsons: Yes
I liked this, very moody but a cool album.
I like Radiohead. This sounds like classic Radiohead but there’s nothing that felt like exceptional Radiohead
It's interesting to get this album after a couple of electronic ones from the late 90s. I think where Radio succeeds and where those other groups fail is to use technology to enhance your music rather than let it take over your music. This album is a seamless integration of electronica into good, complex musical ideas rather than just mashing on the buttons on the mixer because you can. Ton of respect to this album, really enjoyed but it got pretty whiny at times which is going to stop me from giving it a five.
Compared to Amnesiac, I find this more cohesive across and within songs, with more dynamism as well. They are absolute masters of subtle sound design, they ride this tightrope of intricate details and insect sound shifts while achieving a unique identity in each song. There are a lot of neat influences in their music, I felt some industrial undertones in some of the songs which were well implemented and welcome in my eyes. That said, I do think there's still not enough going on in the album as a whole for me to reach to the whole thing all that often. I'm getting used to Yorke's voice, but I still find that all of their songs fall into that `Radiohead` groove. It's good most of the time, great a lot of the time, but it just doesn't quite last a whole album.
not as weird as some of the previous albums
Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief is a sonic rollercoaster, capturing the anxiety and paranoia of the early 21st century with raw intensity. It's a departure from the band's previous electronic explorations, injecting a gritty, guitar-driven energy that feels both urgent and chaotic. Tracks like "2+2=5" and "There There" are anthemic in their own disjointed way, while "A Wolf at the Door" is a haunting, paranoid nightmare. While the album's sprawling nature can be overwhelming, its raw emotion and fearless experimentation make it a compelling listen. Hail to the Thief is a testament to Radiohead's ability to push boundaries and create music that is both challenging and rewarding.
Outrageously good. These guys released literally one of the best runs of albums EVER! The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail To The Thief and then In Rainbows…wow!
Stellar stuff as usual, but not quite as gleaming as some of their other albums
Another storming album from Radiohead - It's so close to a 5 but not quite as strong as some of their others. Maybe needs a few more listens. But the lead singles are stunning.
I like it more with each listen.
Good, mellow art rock. I guess maybe.
Most underrated radiohead album, also a lot less experimental than Kid A & amnesiac. Good album!
I spent a solid 9 months ripping into a friend for liking Radiohead. But actually, this is moody and rocky and I really enjoyed it. I'll never tell him.
Some good stuff - not a huge fan of this album, but contains 'There There', one of my top 10-20 songs of all time.
Compared to the other Radiohead albums, it is a little underwhelming. There were certainly some good songs, but there also were decent songs which I wouldn't go back for. On the other albums, like OK Computer or In Rainbows, i feel like there were more outstanding and compelling songs. i'd give this 3.5 stars. It still is a decently good album.
Not my favourite Radiohead but still amazing. Hard to give it a 5 because their other stuff is better.
I quite enjoyed the dark, moody vibe of this album. I liked it!
mun betri en mig minnti. af hverju hætti ég að hlusta á þá? líklega allir lúðarnir sem dýrkuðu þá. 4,5.
I think this album well executes the marriage of their most rocking material up to this point and the more electronic aspects of their previous two albums. I think it runs a bit too long, but it’s probably my fourth favorite Radiohead. One of the few albums of theirs you could unironically say doesn't get enough credit. 4/5
Sadiohead.
oh my goodness and on a nice sunny day like this too
ojjjjj har haft väldigt lite uppfattning om radiohead mer än att creep går hårt och att mina nära och kära kallar det för incel musik, men jag tyckte verkligen om detta. Finns väldigt mycket där. klurigt att välja favoritlåt, har lyssnat om och om på de jag verkligen fastnade för (halva albumet) i några timmar och har ingen aning. lite småsugen på att ge 5 emellanåt ska inte ljuga. bästa låtarna får ändå bli sit down. stand up, where i end you begin, i will och there, there
Bästa låtar: Myxomatosis, There, there, Where I end and you begin Radiohead är ju bra ju?!
Ojojoj, väldigt bra album, dock inte Radioheads bästa Många bra låtar så det var svårt att välja, men, Bästa låtar: 2 + 2 = 5, Scatterbrain, A Wolf at the door
I've heard better stuff by Radiohead, but this was still Radiohead. I enjoyed it!
Fuck You Bush! Far from Radiohead's best but is a really solid album with a great mix of creepy/delicate tunes and some freakier paranoid anthems. Best Track: There, There Worst Track: The Gloaming
Best Song: Myxomatosis Worst Song: The Gloaming
R.I.P Thom Yorke, you would've hated Thom Yorke.
Honestly any Radiohead post-Ok Computer is hit or miss for me. I appreciate how they continue to evolve their sound, but I preferred them when they were more straight alternative. This is pretty good, though. Didn’t love it at first, but it grew on me. “Backdrifts,” “Go To Sleep,” and “A Punch Up at a Wedding” are my favorites, but there’s nothing on here that was bad. After listening to this all the way through, I actually think I liked this more than Kid A, which surprised me. A solid 4.
Had not listened to this, liked it a lot
Quite enjoyed this, was better than the kid A/amnesiac albums but not as good as ok computer. Pretty impressive they completed it in two weeks, probably a good sign that they don't put out minimalist stuff if they don't overthink it. It's immediately recognisable as Radiohead but definitely has less obvious 'singles' than the other albums. Better than average but not an essential listen. 3.5.
Hail to the Thief is the sixth album by Radiohead, originally released in 2003. This record marked a minor change in the band's sound. Their previous 2 studio efforts included a lot of electronic experimentation and extensive production. This record seems a bit more stripped back when compared to those. Apparently they wanted to lean heavier into the "rock" vein and mix in some electronic elements. This is evident in their production style for this record, where Radiohead made use of "live in-studio" takes rather than extensive overdubs. A lot of the lyrical subject matter on here concerns the unfolding war on terror and other related political discourse that was unfolding at the time. The songwriting is pretty strong, along with Thom Yorke's vocals. I prefer their more rocking songs to their ballads, as I feel Yorke's voice works better with them. Nonetheless, very solid record.
Est-ce bien nécessaire que d'écrire cette critique tant il est évident que cet album est un classique du genre ? Hail to the thief sort en 2003, année de mon bac. Radiohead est évidemment indissociable de mes souvenirs d'ado. Excellent album de rock alternatif, il ne vieillit pas même s'il sonnait expérimental à sa sortie. Je dirais même qu'en vieillissant je le savoure bien mieux qu'à l'époque, comme si j'avais saisi toute la créativité et l'ingéniosité qu'il fallait pour sortir des albums de cette trempe. Il a sa patte, 3 notes à peine et on sait qui on écoute. Alternant entre chansons dynamiques, très rythmées, et d'autres beaucoup plus aériennes, explorant la frontière entre rock et électro, dévoilant des sonorités nouvelles pour qui l'écoutait à l'époque, c'est toute une atmosphère qui se dégage de Hail to the thief. On ne saurait dire si on sort d'une rêverie apaisante ou d'un songe mélancolique. Mais n'est-ce pas le cas de tous les albums de Radiohead finalement ?
Like a good cup of coffee—dark, bitter, comprised of many layers you may need a while to parse. Still sounds fresh.
It is a banger bro
I find it really, really hard to rate any Radiohead album and this one is no different. I appreciate the musical talent and I consider them, the prog rock fan I am, as new incarnation of progressive rock music in the sense that prog = experimental. They deliver on that front. However, the electronic backgrounds and especially Yorke's performance can get tiresome. I always listen "Hail to the thief" a great collection of songs and the album as a whole yet I couldn't tell you much about it. Maybe that's the hidden strength of it.
Love most Radiohead.
Splitting the difference between recent past and distant past (only 10 years but this is already the third phase for the boys of radiohead). Nods to the recent past won out with backdrifts, there there and the gloaming being the most interesting endeavors. The songs with more standard instrumentation played by humans are good but don't reach the heights of phase one...still a good listen of an album I didn't fully absorb upon its release.
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.
Absolutely gorgeous album. Almost perfect. Last couple of songs don’t sound as perfect as the first 8 but they are still great.
After 28 years of being a human, spending 5 of those years studying for a Master's in Musicology, I finally had my first pleasant experience of Radiohead. It's still depressive and all, but at least this wasn't an overrated waste of time. It is actually almost as interesting as people say the other records are supposed to be. It's still way too long though.
Had no idea I liked Radiohead as much as I do. Great album. Im hooked.
Это чудо, что они делают с музыкой, создавая ее из казалось бы рассогласованного движения звуков и мелодий - прямо как на обложке альбома. Невозможно детализировать и понять данную музыку, можно только поверить и наслаждаться
6/3/24. Love Radiohead. This one isn't their best, but still top notch. Some killer tracks on this one that I'll listen to over and over.
Radiohead has always had this unique style of music that is very difficult to replicate exactly and i feel that Hail To The Thief shows off this style perfectly. The mix of rock and electronic sounds always had some moments that kept me on my toes yet they still sounded cool and coherent for the most part. Thom Yorke's voice also really came out well through these tracks and always helped make these tracks so interesting with the help of the music of course. I do feel like some parts of the music could have been composed a little bit better but beyond that, This is still a great album that feels so fresh and unique and i feel is also a step above Amnesiac. Best Song: Sit Down Stand Up Worst Song: Scatterbrain
This is probably my third favourite Radiohead album (after OKC and IR). I like it on a personal level though and I must contend that it's not objectively among their best. I think I just enjoy them putting out their emotions (anger!) on display. My favourites are 2+2, Where I End and You Begin and especially A Wolf at the Door. This last one paints such a vivid image of the "Wolf" calling you on your phone and telling you how he's gonna mess you up. It's scary, paranoid and makes you so angry. I absolutely adore it. Trying to be a bit objective here though, I'll have to save space for other Radiohead albums at the top so let's stop at 4.5/5 with this one.
Cool album! Personally I’ve always felt Radiohead’s lyrics are pretty nonsensical in the sense that you need to really dig deep to understand what’s going on. About the music, most of it is great. I love “We Suck Young Blood”, “Sail to the Moon”, “2 + 2 = 5”, and “Sit Down. Stand Up”. I’m personally a bigger fan of “modern” Radiohead with the use of electronic music over acoustic. This is probably my 3rd favorite album from the band, only behind “OK Computer” and “In Rainbows”.
Let me start off by saying I began listening to this on the wrong spin speed on the record player (33 instead of 45rpm), and it took me a full SIX TRACKS to realise. Until then I was mostly thinking hm, strange of Thom to put this effect on his voice.. when in reality it was me listening to the album in slow motion which made him sound like some sci-fi final boss. Why even write reviews, I'm clearly an imposter who knows nothing about music. Anyway, pretty good album!
reminds me of his other albums, and some hints of Coldplay. I like it very much, its relaxing.
Josiah - 4 Elen - 4.5
Not always enjoyable to listen to. And not as groundbreaking as other radiohead
I’m not all the way to being a Radiohead-head yet. The vocals are a little hard to take for long stretches of time. But every time I listen to them I hear something interesting.
This album was better than I was expecting it would be, but probably shouldn't be on this list. I was never big in to Radiohead outside of The Bends and gave up on them when this album came out. I enjoyed listening to this and there are definitely some good parts for sure.
2024-05-19...
This is not Radiohead’s best album. This is very experimental, but I still dig it. 4
Love Radiohead but this is not my fave album of theirs
Good album, liked it more than OK computer.
Good stuff
Beautiful. A bunch of chill.
Bien. Pero no es mi favorito.
I have been an ardent non-fan of Radiohead since Kid A dropped when I was in college. In the year 2000, there was nothing more insufferable a Radiohead fan. And they were loud. And they were brash. And my hatred of the band had nothing to do with their music. So needless to say, Hail to the Thief was a blind spot in my musical experience. But I liked this quite a bit. Maybe it's finally time to go back and assess the Radiohead catalog, free from the quarter-century-in-the-tail-lights baggage of the Kid A-era Radiohead fan.
Not the best Radiohead album but still…good stuff
Between 4 and 5 for me. Some really good songs (There, There, Sail to the Moon, Punch Up at a Wedding). Some misses though. Definitely not their best, but still a great album. Probably needs to be a 4.
Too long but got some bangers
Sticking the name "Radiohead" on something increases expectations massively. I am now using the edit mode to give this 4*, which feels like a better score inside the Radiohead discography. This puts it on par with Amnesiac for example, whereas I will reserve the 5* for OK Computer, Kid A and In Rainbows.
Denser and more complex than anything Radiohead had recorded to that point, it’s probably their least good album of their classic period. It’s also their album that I have the most songs liked on Spotify. It’s not my favourite, I have a greater reaction to the more emotional songwriting of The Bends, but the songs I love on it are among my favourite Radiohead songs. It’s not a mixed bag necessarily, it’s still Radiohead. But I don’t like the lesser songs as much as I like the lesser songs on their other albums
Highly enjoyed
Aah sound of my teenage years . Trying to be a rock band again which is a shame
Radiohead kombiniert Synthetische- mit Rockmusik und hat dadurch ein gelungen Album geschaffen. Leider hat es durch die Länge einige Längen und gelegentlich wirkt es schräg. Trotzdem lassen sich „There There“, „Where I End and You Begin“ sowie „A Wolf At the Door“ sehr gut und bestimmt nochmal anhören.
Good sad music
As far as Radiohead albums go this has been one of my favorites. I usually really don’t like Radiohead but I enjoyed this. Hard to say why. Maybe the singing has grown on me. It seemed more center stage in this one. Maybe the instrumentals were more defined. I distinctly remember the piano being a notable part of this. 4
Well, that was a lot better than I expected. After listening to that, I feel a bit gutted that Radiohead fell off my radar after OK Computer. I do recognise a couple of tracks, but the rest? There is a lot going on here, most songs seem to start with arty farty noises, but once they get going, they are glorious. This is getting a 4 star on its first listen.
I am a bit divided on Radiohead. I liked the Bends but thought Kid A was a bit pretentious. Hail to the Thief was actually pretty good, just enough rock thrown into the mix to make it a pretty solid album
#192. This is probably the Radiohead album that I listen to the least, but it's still worth a listen every now and again. 4/5: yarp
Not the best Radiohead album but still an array of mesmerizing sonic textures that keep you listening.
I Will A Wolf At the Door
Not the best radiohead album but still better than Crosby Stills and Nash
Bought this cd when it came out - but I haven't listened to it in ages outside of "There, There" I forgot how many of the slower electronic songs populate this album, but There There and Drunken Punch Up both have some booty. I forgot Go To Sleep is on this, another cool song. I feel like everyone put out anti-Bush albums in the early aughts, I'm disappointed that there are fewer overt protest albums being put out (by big acts)
I should listen to more Radiohead
This is a very good album. I would give it 5 stars, but I'm saving 5 stars for OK Computer and Kid A lol. It seemed rawer and more aggressive than some of the other Radiohead albums I've listened to in the past, which is nice. Album Score: 9/10 Would I listen to it again? Absolutely
Some great songs on here but not as strong overall as The Bends and OK Computer. Bands change...it's the only way endeavors like Radiohead can stay relevant/sane. In this case they just moved away from what I liked most about Radiohead. And it's just so depressing!
Not their best overall, but the second half is nothing but bangers. Still better than most.
I didn’t really listen to Radiohead in the early 2000s even though, on paper, they were right up my street. I think it’s taken a good number of years for these albums to sink in, especially this one. I love the tape loops, obscure electronic instruments, glitchy effects, raw guitars and the concise but sonically dense songs. It’s not quite at five stars, but I think it will get there over time.
This one didn’t grab me like the other Radiohead albums. I still grooved to it. But there didn’t seem to be any standout songs. It was more of a sound bath. Will have to return to see if anything jumps out for me on a second listen. 4/5
The experience of re-listening to this after the first time I heard it (when it was first released) is definitely different. When I heard it for the first time, I was a total Radiohead fanboy and lapped up everything they released. However, now I think this is a fairly average album as far as the Radiohead catalog is concerned. It does not have the jarring melancholy of Kid A or the sci-fi fever dream effect of Kid A.
Although this is one of Radiohead's weaker albums alongside Pablo Honey, their "low" points are still really good. The standout element of HTTT is Thom's lyrics - against the backdrop of the Iraq war, it's Radiohead's most overtly political album. I like a lot of the tracks here - standouts include 2+2=5, Stand Up Sit Down, There There, Go To Sleep, A Wolf at the Door. Not sure it's consistently great enough to be called perfect so 4*
I’ve always found Radiohead albums interesting. It’s been a while since I listened to this all the way through. I need to listen to Radiohead on a good stereo where you can get the full effect. The instrumentation is great. I can’t say I really understand a lot the lyrics but I still enjoy listening to this.
It feels like another Radiohead album I'm supposed to like... And I mostly do, but sometimes I'd rather listen to The Bends, you know? After the hard tangent of Kid A/Anmesiac, Radiohead finally refind their lost guitars and this album is all the better for it.
probably my favorite RH album. so many great tracks, i love the uptick in piano and 'chiller' moments as compared to previous works. 2+2=5, Sail to the Moon, There There, Myxomatosis are my faves
I Have Already listened to this album, it is very pretty, 2+2=5 is a standout as well as a wolf at the door, some lulls
Actually enjoyed it. DIdn't listen very focused so will give another go prob.
Not the best Radiohead album out there. Might be too experimental for most people.
Me gusta mucho este disco, pero no necesitamos poner toda la discografía de Radiohead aquí, ¿cierto?
Amazing! One of my favourites
Right album, wrong time. If this had followed OK Computer it would have been seen as a great step forwards, upping the glitchy textures and losing the last shreds of 'anthemic Head' from The Bends, Lucky, Karma Police. Following on from the double punch of Kid A/Amnesiac it can't help but feel like a step back in the catalogue. However, it's a pretty immaculate set of songs, and if it doesn't get the five it's to reflect the fact that 14 is one or two too many and there are 5-star albums elsewhere in their catalogue.
To me this album was a return to the Radiohead I knew and loved after the Kid A and Amnesiac experiments. Having said that I remember playing the album on repeat during a car journey to the Lake District. I wanted to really enjoy the album like I had with their early stuff but there was something which I could not put my finger on preventing me from doing this. There were nice melodies as on Sail To The Moon and the whole instrumentation sounded like it was played by people rather than machines but it was an album I soon tired of. Playing it again now from start to finish was like having a cloud lifted on the album. Tracks which I had previously disliked were not so bad after all and the album as a whole finally worked for me. Not the first or last time that this has happened to me. I put it down to an ever changing musical appreciation and that as I’m now older not so much of a musical snob or swayed by current fashions. Still not quite as good as their earlier albums or albums yet to be made but for me a solid one which will not gather dust anymore.
Middle tier Radiohead album, still great
had low expectations, but pretty good
Good album, not my favorite
Very nice. Enjoyed all the fun playing with sounds. Felt proper intense.
I would almost never put this album on to listen to if I'm in a Radiohead mood, but damn if it doesn't slap. The strongest of 4s
Radiohead hat einen ganz speziellen eigenen Stil und damit auch einen sehr hohen Wiedererkennungswert. Ich kann es nachvollziehen, wenn es manchen zu speziell ist, mich holt die Band aber ab! Gleichzeitig muss ich sagen, dass die Platte aus meiner Sicht lange nicht deren bestes Werk ist. Ich kannte vieles vorher noch nicht, nicht suuuuper viel verpasst. Andere Platten werden hier sicherlich auch (neben "In Rainbows") noch kommen. Darauf freue ich mich schon. Einen unfairen "Bandbonus" vergebe ich heute mal und lande damit bei 4 von 5:)
- war einfach wieder eine ziemlich geile Nummer. Auch wenn mich dieses Album nicht ganz so ins Mark getroffen hat, wie die anderen Radiohead-Platten - Es ist aber wirklich krass, dass diese Band es trotz experimentaler und teils avantgardistischer Musik schafft, ein absolut wiedererkennbaren Stil zu verfolgen - there, there und a punch up at my wedding kranke banger - um mit den anderen platten mitzuhalten fehlte mir aber irgendwie das gewisse etwas 4/5
I kept one of the songs as a favorite, Saul to the Moon, which I could see doing for a moody drive at night. Very trippy overall. Plays better with headphones.
4.5/5. Cant say it’s my favourite album by them but There, There is a standout song in their entire catalogue.
I waited in line at midnight for this album and I love me some Radiohead, this album relistening to it years later it feels like it lacks an immediacy of there later albums yet all the anxiety and depression is gone that made their earlier albums so groundbreaking to me as a anxiety ridden depressed 20 something. That being said when the jambs come they come at 100. I think this is about the time I got into electronic music and this doesn't disappoint. The slow songs just feel like dead weight though.
Smutasy
Full of interesting sounds, alien like at times. Sit Down Stand Up is haunting until the frenetic finale while Backdrifts is compelling with an unsettling progression. Where I End and You Begin is a highlight; this and There There are something approaching radio friendly, if any of it is. Perhaps just a bit too long and unfocused compared to the best of Radiohead.
It's absolutely crazy that a bands 5th or 6th best album can be this good. 4/5
Forgot how many good songs are on here. Underrated
Interestingly enough I never considered myself that big of a Radiohead fan. Granted, they have many good songs, but also many bad ones, and it often gets pretty pretentious. Fast forward and this is the 2nd (or 3rd) album here on the list, and I really feel like they're all very consistent and deserve high ratings. I've heard this album loads of times, so that probably influence my perception of it. But still, I think it holds up very well through the whole record. Some songs are stronger or weaker than others, but overall it's high quality. 'A Punch Up at a Wedding', 'There, There', '2+ 2 = 5', and 'Scatterbrain' are the best songs on the record for me.
lækkert album! Mere elektronisk end jeg normalt forbinder Radiohead med at være. There, There og 2 + 2 = 5 🤌🤌
Tror egentlig aldrig at jeg er kommet helt igennem den her plade før, fordi sangene måske ikke er de stærkeste når de står for sig selv. På grund af Radiohead stemningen og en fed lyd på guitaren i There, There, sniger den sig ret højt op, men det er ikke en top 3 Radiohead plade ❤️
Great. My first album when I became a fan
Äntligen något bra igen. Avslutningen på andra låten var ju lite lätt störande. Det mesta är bra, men några är lite överdrivet repetitiva. 4 / 5
• Kul att de använt samma gubbe till alla sina omslag. Alla har också sin egna identitet och (för mig iaf) är direkt igenkännbara. Just detta omslag får mig alltid att tänka på containrar • Lite mer rock inblandat än i de föregående 2 albumen • En bit in och 2 + 2 = 5 är fortfarande bäst • There, There också bra • Mycket annat bra med Betyg: Inte mitt favoritalbum av Radiohead …men det är Radiohead => 4/5
Älskar radiohead. Föredrar deras andra album men det är fortfarande radiohead
Okay, I've heard this album before, but I still couldn't get into it. At this time, I finally managed to actually enjoy it, so after all, it grew on me a little.
3.52
Highlights - A punch up at a Wedding, A Wolf at the Door
B+ 2 + 2 = 5 (The Lukewarm.) 5 Sit Down. Stand Up. (Snakes & Ladders.) 4 Sail To The Moon. (Brush The Cobwebs Out Of The Sky.) 5 Backdrifts. (Honeymoon Is Over.) 3 Go To Sleep. (Little Man Being Erased.) 3 Where I End And You Begin. (The Sky Is Falling In.) 3 We Suck Young Blood. (Your Time Is Up.) 5 The Gloaming. (Softly Open Our Mouths In The Cold.) 3 There There. (The Boney King Of Nowhere.) 4 I Will. (No Man's Land.) 5 A Punchup At A Wedding. (No No No No No No No No.) 4 Myxomatosis. (Judge, Jury & Executioner.) 3 Scatterbrain. (As Dead As Leaves.) 3 A Wolf At The Door. (It Girl. Rag Doll.) 5 I was so happy to receive Radiohead finally. This is probably my 5th favorite Radiohead album. It is the end of their amazing streak started with The Bends. This album is so up and down. The majority of songs are 5s or 3s.
Abstract sounds, resembles a scattered brain, emotional groove.
Another good Radiohead album. 4/5
Another super solid Radiohead album. I liked this one already, and it still rules.
Good Radiohead album, not their best, but delivers what you want.
Something for the rag and bone man Over my dead body Something big is gonna happen Over my dead body Someone's son or someone's daughter Over my dead body This is how I end up sucked in Over my dead body I'm gonna go to sleep Let this wash all over me We don't really want a monster taking over Tiptoe around, tie him down We don't want the loonies taking over Tiptoe around, tie them down May pretty horses Come to you As you sleep I'm gonna go to sleep And let this wash all over me Not the greatest radiohead album, but not a bad album standing alone either. It's pretty good. 4/5
Overall, really strong album, with themes of fear, government overreach, anxiety, and all that good relatable 21st century stuff. Some parts of the album drag a bit, but I dig the experimental instrumentation, and the lyrical content feels sharply relevant.
I want to like it more, but it's giving me a seizure.
not quite a 4 star. their more acclaimed efforts are more distinctive and impactful, but this one is still enjoyable to listen to.
If you shortened it the album would be a 5 and if I was going through a Radiohead phase it would be a 5. Myxomatosis and wolf at the door are songs that should be on a 5/5 album but it’s a 4
Not my favourite of their albums but can appreciate the vibes.
Definitely a second tier Radiohead album but that’s still a pretty high floor
3.5 Tough rating this one. If we judge it against other Radiohead albums, probably closer to a 3 but 4 if we are comparing to the rest of the 1000 entries. P.s Check out Atoms for Peace if you like Radiohead and this album.
Not one of my favorites from Radiohead, but still a great album
Paramount
very angst, would be a 5 with female vocals - 4.5
7.5/10 - 4/5 Some amazing moments in this one, specifically the endings of the first 2 songs. Feels a little bloated as an album, but I love the overall vibe and amount of energy. Some good slow burns I didn't expect.
I had only heard “2+2=5” off this album, but the whole thing was interesting and enjoyable.
Not my favorite Radiohead album, but still phenomenal compared to most.
This was a good first album to start out with. When it comes to Radiohead discussions online, I had never seen this album mentioned. Ever. Not once. So, I didn’t know that I would like it as much as I did. When I saw the length of it, I wasn’t sure. I was nervous it would be a little bloated, but it actually doesn’t feel very long while you’re listening to it, as I was not bored at any point throughout the runtime. I think it’s due to the blend between the rock and the electronic elements of the songs that kept me interested. The vocals at certain times were a little too whiny even for my taste, but that’s just Radiohead, I guess.
Under-rated Radiohead Album :)
Imagine being fucking Radiohead and having six straight albums show up on the list of 1001 albums to hear before you die. Every one of them deserves it as well. This album tends to fall into the cracks of their career. For me, though, it was a huge deal because it was the first album released after I became a Radiohead fan. It doesn't reach the heights of Kid A or OK Computer, but every single song is good. This album would be a titanic achievement for any other band. For Radiohead, this album doesn't crack the top 5 for lots of people 4/5
Yeah it’s good it’s Radiohead
Bien. Pero no es mi favorito.
Ok
4.5
4/5 Takes a while to get into but, mostly pretty great. Standouts: We Suck Young Blood
This album just works. The vocals are imperfect technically but carry emotion and haunting gravity expertly. The fact that it’s electronic but switches its mood in ways that do much feel like how that happens to humans? Resonates remarkably. Is there a lyrical quality that sometimes softens and coaxes yiou along until some kind of heightened energy busts out and makes you feel way different? Yep. Is it indicative of an era? Yep. Put it on the turntable and let your head away.. it’ll be good.
Another radiohead?!
Ah Radiohead, the answer to "what if a band like Coldplay had listened to Pink Floyd records and channeled that into making something actually interesting?" They're another band I appreciate more than I enjoy, but I enjoy them significantly more than The Who. I don't think I was really aware of them until In Rainbows came out in 07, and then I only really went back to the biggest hits for previous albums. Actually hadn't listened to this one before, probably my biggest blind spot in their discography, so I thought this still really worthwhile to get a glimpse of an album without a smash #1 single that still is really strong on its own merit. Feels super cohesive. Really solid 4, songs like We Suck Young Blood pull it down, but there's still plenty of tracks like There, There or Myxomatosis that are really melodically & harmonically interesting
Weird, innovative, goes hard.
I never heard this before and was shocked by how futuristic it sounds for the fact that it came out 20 years ago. Radiohead is not my favorite band but I can see why people lose their shit over them.
A good Album, not my favourite of theirs but had some really solid tracks and I wouldn't mind coming back to listen again.
Complex and interesting.
Mattie Valk, altijd lekker. Ik heb net nog zitten klagen dat Cat Stevens vervelend zingt en nu zit ik te genieten van dit album vol, 100% objectief gezien, kattengejank. Ik ben ook maar een mens met bijbehorende gebreken. Zit je in een kliniek en leg je deze muziek op de mat dan gaat de deur voorlopig nog niet voor je open gok ik. Kil, desolaat, manisch, wat experimenteel. En ondanks dat manische zit er toch een soort logische flow in dit album. Dat vind ik knap gedaan. Wel lijkt het af en toe een beetje op Muse en aan Muse heb ik een hekel. Dus ik ben benieuwd wat er gebeurd wanneer ik Muse aan me opgedrongen krijg. Misschien ben ik daar overheen gegroeid. Ik ga weer een 4 geven. Ik vind dit lekker. Ik heb geen zin om het te gaan meten aan de andere Radiohead albums en dan te lullen over halve sterren en afrondingen. Liever dit dan zo'n 80% van deze lijst.
Coming off of The Who - Tommy album from the 60's... this was a breath of fresh air. Very well produced and balanced. I wouldn't guess this album was from 2003, it really sounds out of its time. I enjoyed the unique nature with intermittent tracks of more modern stuff. I never wanted to skip a track really. Will likely give it another listen in a month or so. This is really a 3.5 but where it comes in the stream of albums it earns a 4
While I don’t think this is one of Radiohead’s greatest albums, I do think it is another great one for their catalogue. Somehow, I’ve never been as drawn to it as their other classics (“The Bends” through “In Rainbows”), so it was mostly unfamiliar to me. I appreciate that it feels like a marriage between the disparate styles of “OK Computer” and “Kid A,” marrying guitar rock with electronic instrumentation. The album has some fun musical explorations and always sounds undeniably like Radiohead. I find it amazing how “prog-y” they sound given how critically and commercially successful they’ve been. Even though I would probably consider this my least favorite of their entries on the list (maybe “Amnesiac” gets that honor), Radiohead is just really good at making music. A solid 4/5!
Fantastic album.
8/10 First one that I am very familiar with! Excellent album, feels like a bridge between OKC & earlier and Kid A eras, despite where it fits in that timing Comes across as more of a collection of songs in mixed style than a super-coherent album, so not an elite Radiohead album But a number of great Radiohead songs are on this, and production is great asas always, lots of anger and ire Best: 2+2=5, Backdrifts
Released between Kid A/Amnesiac and In Rainbows, Hail to the Thief is often overlooked. The album has a bit of bloat and many of the songs aren't immediately recognizable. However, this album still stands out in Radiohead's discography, as many of the tracks are insanely creative with the instrumentation, lyricism, and meanings behind them. The album has a bleak, depressing vibe, utilizing minor chords, harmonizing vocals, and calmer drums, which contrast and add to the moments in the tracks when everything picks up, exploding into a fast-paced, musically superb finale.
Good album. 90's rock techno heavy but good Not Radiohead's best album but top 5
I didn't really know this album, I stopped listening to Radiohead after OK Computer (which I really like) I thought this was good, had some good songs on it and felt like a development of their sound.
In my useless opinion, this was the perfect blend album between the rocking Radiohead and the bleep bloop Radiohead. I remember my dad stating once he preferred early Beatles boy band sound to their later experimental phases, and I thought he was an idiot - but that would be Radiohead for me. Growing up with Radiohead, I was a sucker for the early albums and started to fall off post OK Computer, but this album was a reminder for me that the band was still solidly putting out amazing music, even if it wasn't always for me or clicking how it used to.
I’m realizing I’m a sucker for mopey British men. This felt like all the things I like a lot about early Coldplay, and Alt-J rolled into one excellent predecessor.
2+2 = 5 - 8/10 Sit Down, Stand Up - 8/10 Sail to The Moon - 8/10 Backdrifts - 8/10 Go To Sleep - 8/10 Where I End And You Begin - 8.5/10 We Suck Young Blood - 7.5/10 The Gloaming - 8/10 There, There - 8/10 I Will - 8/10 A Punch Up At The Wedding - 8/10 Myxomatosis - 9/10 Scatterbrain - 9/10 A Wolf At The Door -10/10 TOTAL - 116/140
Radiohead are one of my all time faves and seeing them was truly a bucket list moment. This isn’t up there with their very best though. I want to give it 3.5 but I’ll round up to 4 because it’s them
Schönes Album, aber von Radiohead nicht das beste.
Arguably one of Radiohead's weakest albums, yet it still sounds absolutely amazing on reflection. Probably took me the longest to get into of any of their albums, but when you get it you get it. Luckily that happened years ago, otherwise I fear I'd be in the 2-3* region. Makes me wonder how many other great albums I've missed out on from instantly writing them off on this list. Sadly not enough time in the world to find out. Solid 4*
Album sans doute trop long pour son propre bien. Quelques chansons géniales se détachent d'un enchainement de titres trop identiques, sans identités, qu'il est facile à la fin de tous confondres. Restent l'ouverture "2+2=5", parmi leurs toutes meilleurs "There, There", une de mes chouchoutes "Backdrift" où je trouve que Thom Yorke chante de façon incroyable. Quelques très bonnes à travers : "I will", toute en délicatesse, "We suck young blood" qui se détache par son piano et son ton. Et de toute façon je laisse les 5 étoiles pour d'autres albums de leur discographie beaucoup plus consistants.
So good, almost had a cloud cult vibe sometimes
Thoughts before listening: I love pretty much everything Radiohead has released, and this album is no exception. That being said, I typically don't consider it on the same level as their classics like The Bends, Ok Computer and Kid A. This is still a very good album that I will enjoy listening to as part of this list. Review: This album is where Radiohead started to move slightly away from the more electronica inspired sounds of Kid A/Amnesiac by mixing in some of the alt rock sounds they became famous for on the Bends and Ok Computer. They would go further down this route for their next album In Rainbows, and in my opinion Hail to the Thief is a lesser album than those that surround it. The album starts out with a legit rocker in 2+2=5, and its an awesome track. That vibe continues with Sit Down, Stand Up's build to a frenetic climax before reverting back to more minimalistic dancey sounds for the next few songs. I also love There There and Myxomatosis which are two of Radiohead's most high energy and popular live songs. Other songs I enjoy on this album include Go To Sleep, Where I End and You Begin, A Punch Up at a Wedding, and A Wolf at the Door. In general this album is a mixed bag of great highs and a few lows that aren't necessarily bad, but do keep this from being a 5-star Radiohead album. This will get a 4.
Really good! The opener is my favourite.
I prefer other radiohead albums but I liked this one a lot
Like all of Radiohead’s complex stuff, it grows on me each listen. It’s crazy that even though it’s grown on me a lot and I think it’s a really solid album, it’s still like my fifth or sixth favorite Radiohead album. Rating: 4.3
Hail to your mum
Really enjoyed this album. Outside of my norm, but it was a good one.
Maybe not their best or my favorite Radiohead album, but it was good.
This isn’t what I thought Radiohead sounded like. I really liked his voice and the background music. I don’t understand where all the hate is from because I would honestly listen to this on the normal. 8/10
Excellent. I don't listen to Radiohead enough.
In three words: Catchy, Moody, Angry. Mixomathosys is a banger. Not my fav from Radiohead but an excellent album.
Top notch Radiohead
Not their best, but interesting.... Standouts: ---------------------- There There We Suck Young Blood Sail to the Moon Go To Sleep 2+2=5 Myxomatosis 3.5/5
It's always a welcome surprise to revisit another radiohead album (I didn't expect this one to be on the list) especially one that I haven't listened to a whole bunch. I listen to 2+2=5 regularly, which is still my favorite after this listen, but there are only a few other bangers--backdrifts, there there, and sorta wolf at the door--that I really enjoy. The rest just feels like a kind of middle of the road between electronic Kid A and electronic rock In Rainbows. I'd put it slightly below the bends but way above pablo honey or king of limbs even though backdrifts kinda sounds like a king of limbs song.
I don’t know, it’s fine and everything, I mean it’s Radiohead so of course it’s good. But honestly, it’s not even one of my top five Radiohead albums. It’s four stars, just because it’s better than 85% of the albums on this list. But it’s not top-tier.
Hail Radiohead
Great album I had not listened to all the way through in some years. I am a massive RH slut though. I am putting 4 to leave room for the 5's, but I love this album ALOT.
A perfectly fine Radiohead record, but it is less amazing than others.
I'd say probably the most accessible Radiohead album I've heard on this list. The genres are kind of all over the place which keeps any of it from getting stale, but many of the songs just don't really build to anything or create any tension or make much of a statement on the state of the world and politics, which after all is pretty much what this record wants to be about. 7/10
I really liked the album it was very chill music to clean my room with!
Ik zou het niet gedacht hebben, maar via dit experiment zit ik nu aan mijn tweede radiohead plaat en ik ben weer fan. Enkele mindere nummers hier, Kid A vind ik over heel de lijn beter, maar toch nice. Het gaar hier dan vooral over nummers zoals We suck young blood. De "zaag nummers"... al moet ik wel zeggen dat niemand zo mooi kan zagen! Al bij al tof dus!
3.7 out of 10, liked some songs
8/10 - Perfect for winter. Favorites- 1. Scatterbrain 2. Myxomatosis 3. 2 + 2 = 5 4. Sail to the Moon 5. A Wolf at the Door
Contains some bangers but it’s not the best by Radiohead. I think I won’t listen to the entire album again, too long.
Meh
Gear: Moondrop Variations (Tip Rolling) Mische: 1A, Bass könnte prominenter sein (bestmöglich mit Final Typ E) Musik: überwiegend eingängiger Alt-Rock garniert mit Elektro und wundervollen Vocals, noch nicht so experimentell (und genial) wie "Kid A" etc. (braucht vielleicht noch ein paar Durchläufe bei mir) Wertung: 4/5
You ever have one of those weeks where you've been getting so many mediocre albums that when something better comes along, you're unable to tell if you love it or if you just don't hate it? That's me right now.
SAVOUR: Sit Down Stand Up
I really like this album. Plenty of highlights without being a blockbuster. Will listen again.
Woah, this is way better than I recalled. I just remember being so turned off Radiohead's stuff after OK Computer, finding it too dense and complex and ethereal. But twenty years later, this sounds like a natural evolution from the likes of OKC. Heaps of beautiful melodies, intricate guitar work, and nods to their pop-rock past, wrapped in a prog-spacey package.
I enjoyed the album, but even after a couple listens, there wasn’t a song that was a particular standout for me. I think I’m a bit partial to earlier Radiohead, as “Karma Police” is one of my favorite songs of all time. This one was good, but didn’t meet that high bar.
no alternate releases on this one! how're we feeling tonight, radiohead? track 1, 2 + 2 = 5: yeah same here honestly. we start off with guitar in only the right ear, which i immediately do not like. (around 1:20 the audio balances out) after that, solid song no complaints 7/10 track 2, Sit Down Stand Up: ooh, kinda haunting??? the nearly-drumstep drum fill starting at 3 minutes in really captures my attention, 7.5/10 track 3, Sail to the Moon: much slower, a little somber. 8/10 track 4, Backdrifts: oh the VWORPS you're gonna have to trust me on this one take a listen. 9/10 track 5, Go to Sleep: wait a minute, this isn't morgan freeman narrating the book "go the f**k to sleep"! haha, anyway, this song slaps, 8/10 track 6, Where I End and You Begin: mm. this one's ETHEREAL. 8/10 track 7, We Suck Young Blood: okay we need everyone in the studio to clap into the mic on beat seven. ready? CLAP. great work everyone you can all go home now. this one's also very somber/ethereal, 7 (beats)/10 track 8, The Gloaming: ethereal x3 combo, one more and we've won the game of connect four. i like the arpeggiation of the synth in the background but not enough to rate this one higher, another 7/10 track 9, There There: while we did not hit the four-in-a-row, this song brings pretty good energy. 8/10 track 10, I Will: despite the game Hades coming out some seventeen years after this album, i am getting very strong Orpheus vibes from this song. very good. 9/10 track 11, A Punchup at a Wedding: OH and the last track transitions in smoothly let's goooooo. that bass and and piano with a simple backbeat is just so good. can't give this any lower than a 9.5/10 track 12, Myxomatosis: and we start off CRUNCHY i'm such a fan of this sawtooth-sounding synth. 9/10 track 13, Scatterbrain: you know, i actually don't mind the guitar only being in one ear for this one. 8/10 track 14, A Wolf at the Door: one final slower/somber track to finish off. 7.5/10 not a lot to say overall: 8/10 -> 4/5, once again radiohead not being something i'd go out of my way to listen to but being well worth the time spent to listen
Musical Style and Themes: Hail to the Thief is a blend of experimental electronics and straightforward rock, with more tuneful and song-focused tracks than Radiohead's previous two albums, Kid A and Amnesiac . The album features electronic textures, guitars, and piano, with synth-y sonic schmutz and squiggles that seem like data transmitted from another plane of sound . The songs on Hail to the Thief are filled with images of monstrous, Orwellian force from which there is no escape, reflecting the band's paranoia and pessimism . Album Length and Song Selection: Hail to the Thief consists of fourteen tracks and has a runtime of 56 minutes, making it the longest Radiohead album . Some listeners and band members have complained about the album's length, attributing it to the inclusion of a few weak tracks . Relevance and Impact: The album was recorded in late 2002, during the American and British governments' march to the Iraq War, which influenced its themes and lyrics . Hail to the Thief was originally about George W. Bush, but many of its themes and meanings can be applied to today's politics, according to some fans . Critics' Opinions: Hail to the Thief received positive reviews from critics, with some considering it a strong effort from Radiohead and others praising its relevance and impact . However, some critics and fans have pointed out the album's flaws, particularly in its song selection, which includes a few weak tracks . Overall, Hail to the Thief is a significant album in Radiohead's discography, showcasing their blend of experimental and rock elements while addressing themes of paranoia, pessimism, and political unrest. While some listeners and critics have pointed out its flaws, the album's impact and relevance have been praised by many.
Damn, this thing starts off STRONG. Kind drags for me like Radiohead can do. But it’s so creative and the production is wild
This isn't a bad album, and I think I may be becoming a Radiohead fan, if but all the tracks didn't sound so similar.
Didnt have time to listen to the entire album but oh my god, what a strong start it had. I loved the overwhelming presence of rock, yet the indie like sad sound to it. Once again, Radiohead blew my mind.
Incredible album, such a shift from their early offerings yet retains their core feel.
Too incohesive for me to give a 5, but I like most of these tracks individually. There, There; Where You End and I Begin; Sit Down. Stand Up; and Myxomatosis are probably my favorites. I don't like many of the slower songs on here as much, and Radiohead would end up doing that style better on In Rainbows anyways.
god bless radiohead
Probably the weakest Radiohead album I've heard but still excellent. Could move down later since it's only the 2nd on this list for me, but I'll leave it here for now
The sound is really good. Some lyrics I like too. Not so catchy :-D
A great album despite the questionable maths.
That was a ride. There is no other group like Radiohead. More uncanny, original, experimental than the Radiohead that I know but I really enjoyed it.
It’s nice, but not even my favourite Radiohead album
Good but can be better
Not a Radiohead fan, but prefer Kid A and In Rainbows.
Did 1001 Albums know that we were going to have a cloudy, rainy day today and give us “Hail To the Thief” to match the weather? (Two songs by my count explicitly reference rain!) The music on this album is a fusion of anxious electronic beats and shape-shifting prog-rock. Most of it casts a gloomy tone. It’s a dense, rich album. Every song feels dense and packed with details. There’s always a few interesting elements in the production that give each song it’s own weird, uneasy personality. The compositions are complex too. The songs frequently swerve and move in a new direction. What holds the album back from greatness for me is that each of the 14 songs feels like an island. The transitions between them are often jarring. Even though there is a consistent tone and style, each song somehow feels self-contained, like it doesn’t need the others. Or maybe it’s just that overcast tone that holds me back from loving the album. There are probably a few songs that could have been cut too. I’m just nitpicking though because Radiohead are one of my favorite bands. There’s a lot to enjoy on this album. “A Punchup at a Wedding” is a standout. I love that sexy bass line. The band actually sounds a little loose on that one. And oooh “Myxomatosis” rocks so hard! This is the best Radiohead album cover and one of my favorite album covers in general. I love reading through all the words. It captures the anxiety of living in the modern world where everything is screaming at you for attention. 4.5
I used to be a stand-in member of a metal band (stand-in by choice, the music wasn't my favorite but it was a group of friends that I liked) and in the practice space / basement-hang-out-zone of the drummer they had a ton of band posters, and this was one of them. I used to drunkenly stare at this while having the same conversations on pretty much every weekend of my late teen's and early twenties. Full transparency - sometimes I hear Radiohead and I can't help but think that they are overrated. That idea usually pops into my head when I hear their albums / songs that don't blow me away, and I think this is one of those albums. Personally, I think I have this complex where I tend to devalue art/music that sounds similar to something that I make or something that I strive to make. Not that I'm comparing myself to Radiohead, but this sound and more specifically the building blocks are things that I've been writing my own music around- electronic drums, fuzzy guitars, post-rock guitar parts, droney synths, piano/orchestral moments, modal interchange and overall meter ambiguity... and the odd super catchy hook. Those are all elements that I use in my own songwriting, almost exactly to the T. Weirdly enough, there's not many bands that do all of that at once- the list that immediately comes to my mind exclusively has Radiohead on it and no other act. Also, not that I'm trying to break down Radiohead into these simplified variables, but that's what I do when I try to understand music better. For what it's worth, I really like Radiohead and I think they are one of the best rock bands of all time, but I'm just aware of this and aware of how it can color my enjoyment of various bands and acts. This album is one of those that doesn't blow me away. It absolutely doesn't feel weak to me, but I think they have done better. Still worthy of a strong 4/5 however.
Great sound, great vibe, great atmosphere, great album
Quite emotional, liked it!
76/100
Niceee
I liked this a lot more than the last Radiohead album on this list. Radiohead is still something you have to be in the mood for, but this album makes more of an effort to put you in that mood. There, There is a fantastic song.
Quite accessible Radiohead album. Myxomatosis is the oddest track with that rhythm, but it's cool when you get into it.
This isn't one of my favorite Radiohead albums. I almost never go to this one because it's just low to mid level in the Radiohead discography, which isn't really a diss when you consider how strong it is. I always remember the day I purchased this. Metallica had just released St. Anger and when I went to my local music store I had to choose between this and that. I may not adore this album but I'm certainly glad that I chose it over St. Anger. I can't give it anything but a 4. It's a good listen, but if I want to listen to a Radiohead album in full, this one ain't it. It's best to just mine out the gems and move on.
Sank into it about halfway through. I find that I want to like Radiohead more than I like them. But this was a decent soundtrack for a late afternoon bus ride.
To some it may be the band’s political album, but to me it’s their Halloween album. I imagine it soundtracking a particularly ghoulish night, with dusk falling just before 2+2+5, the witching hour beginning during The Gloaming (obviously), and the first light of morning finally beginning to filter through around Scatterbrain. Loads o’ cool spooky sounds and imagery on here; I try to listen to it every 31st of October, if I can. Not every track is among Radiohead’s greatest (a handful of them are), but I still think the mix of guitars, electronics and a couple of weird left-turns (Thom Yorke rapping!) make for a very enjoyable listen. 4.5 stars.