Album Summary
Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 2 October 2000 by Parlophone. It was recorded with producer Nigel Godrich in Paris, Copenhagen, Gloucestershire and their hometown of Oxford, England. Radiohead considered releasing the material as a double album, but decided it was too dense; a second album of material from the sessions, Amnesiac, was released eight months later. After the stress of promoting Radiohead's acclaimed 1997 album OK Computer, songwriter Thom Yorke wanted to diverge from rock music. Drawing influence from electronic music, ambient music, krautrock, jazz, and 20th-century classical music, Radiohead used instruments such as modular synthesisers, ondes Martenot, brass and strings. They processed guitar sounds, incorporated samples and loops, and manipulated their recordings with software such as Pro Tools and Cubase. Yorke wrote impersonal and abstract lyrics, cutting up phrases and assembling them at random. Kid A was widely anticipated. In a departure from industry practice, Radiohead released no singles or music videos and conducted few interviews and photoshoots. Instead, they became one of the first major acts to use the internet as a promotional tool; Kid A was made available to stream and was promoted with short animated films featuring music and artwork. Bootlegs of early performances were shared on filesharing services, and the album was leaked before release. In 2000, Radiohead toured Europe in a custom-built tent without corporate logos. Kid A debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, and became Radiohead's first number-one album on the Billboard 200 in the US, where it sold more than 207,000 copies in its first week. Its departure from Radiohead's earlier sound divided fans and critics, and some dismissed it as pretentious, deliberately obscure, or derivative. However, it later attracted acclaim; at the end of the decade, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and the Times ranked Kid A the greatest album of the 2000s, and in 2020 Rolling Stone ranked it number 20 on its updated list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Like OK Computer, it won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It has been certified platinum in Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the US and the UK. Kid A Mnesia, an anniversary reissue compiling Kid A, Amnesiac and previously unreleased material, was released in 2021.
Read more on Wikipedia
Keywords from Reviews
Rating Over Time
Reviews
6 Radiohead albums seems like too many.
*2000. *I think this is my final Radiohead album on here - hallelujah! *There are some moments where I almost understand the obsession with Radiohead (e.g. the opening Everything in its Right Place), but then we get the dischord and dynne of random brass instruments being played obnoxiously between the whiney songs. *I don't know, man - I'm really trying to like and appreciate these guys, but they're making it tough. *After listening to (I think) all of their albums, OK Computer is the best of the bunch. RATING - 6/10
Radiohead is a great band and has produced many hits and good albums, but Kid A to me is just a bit above average and not one of my picks for a great album. I give it a 7/10 and settled with 3 stars.
Pretty good. I didn’t think it was all that people describe it to be, but still fine. My favorite track was National Anthem. I don’t really like the more static instrumental sections though.
3.7/4. Some of this I loved, other songs were a bit of a struggle. But, that said, I love the ambition and the craftsmanship of this record.
Recently picked this one up on vinyl, one of my favourites but I don't think it's that great an album. Incredible singles that's let down by one or two album tracks being a bit sub par for me 4/5
6.5
This is a talented band and this album has some highlights but overall it feels like an experimentation in sound and although there are good bits I'd imagine the record company would this its industry self harm
Love this album. Dark and brooding. Atmospheric, best listened to in a dark room late at night. Saw Radiohead at Glastonbury and while they were good it just wasn’t the right dynamic for the music. Stands the test of time a quarter century later. Got to be a 5/5.
Admittedly, as a favourite of many of my friends, and a darling of the music critics, I had high expectations coming into this one. And while I appreciated its experimentation, some of the longer instrumental sections made this a somewhat hard listen. Still, a great album which captures a chaotic but ethereal mood.
muy edgy pero esta piola. some ethereal songs
Tårer i aua når Thom Yorke avslutter albumet med å synge "I will see you in the next life" på Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Kid A — Radiohead The year 2000. A time in life where everyone was hoping for drastic change and futuristic thinking. But when it comes to bands we know… keep them the same. Keep Limp Bizkit a hot mess. Keep Bon Jovi playing the classics. Keep Madonna from making music. Keep all of N’Sync together. And, for the love of God, keep Radiohead as our beloved depressing rock band. … But. This is the year 2000. And if we need drastic changes, that can and must include changes to your favorite musicians. So que up more Nu Metal, let Bon Jovi do what he wants because as he says best, “It’s My Life!” Madonna not only can make music but can keep trying to lure in young 20 something guys for the next decade. Justin Timberlake is allowed to go solo and go double platinum. And of course, Radiohead can take a total stab in the atmosphere and rip our expectations to shreds. Following Okay Computer, there would have been no complaints about another traditional sounding album from Radiohead. A song that motivates, a song that you can jam to, a song that you keep for drives with friends, and a song that depresses the hell out of you that you don’t want to admit to anyone that you like. Instead, they threw out a hook and ladder. An unforeseen album that captured both a major middle finger to consumerism while invoking the feeling of the new millennium. They gave us Kid A. Everyone was expecting another great album of traditional rock. Guitar, melody, drum solo, beautiful lyrics that mean something. What they got were songs that spoke hatred and beauty, songs that sounded insanely futuristic while paying homage to classics. They got songs that push our ears to find the little things and lyrics that make us question our point in life. They basically gave us what we didn’t expect, but that’s we totally expected, but why? Thom Yorke had grown depressed, sick of the fame, sick of the pretentious world around him, the demand of the fans and the record companies to rinse, lather, and repeat. He suffered writer’s block because he knew he didn’t want to do the same ol’ thing again and again and again, and become this generations AC/DC. The dam finally broke and came through in an album of asking more from the people who asked more of you. And for once, the people understood. While poorly received at first take, Kid A weeded out the fans who weren’t loyal quickly but those that stuck around made their presence known to those that left. Kid A became a soundtrack to a generation ready for the new, the future, and the change that had been promised to us in the year 2000. We didn’t find world peace. We didn’t find a cure for AIDs. We didn’t get flying cars, or those pizza makers from Back to the Future 2. But we did get a new, bold, sound; art rock/experimental rock but for the 21st century. Each track feels like it was conducted in a lab. Each track feels like a symphony done with a rock band. And Each track reminds us to never limit ourselves. I now understand Kid A’s importance. It isn’t going to be a wedding party favorite. It isn’t going to be your go to for road trips. But, it is an understanding of when fame becomes too much, you need to test loyalty, that when eggs and bacon lost their taste, you try a new breakfast, that when the world demands something that makes them feel like they have hope for a new beginning, you can provide it to them. Kid A. An album less about music and more about an experience. Is their insane music quality in the album, yes. Is it more than just an album, yes. I get that now. Wish I knew it sooner. Rating: 10/10 Stars: 5/5
Blew my mind when I first heard this in high school. I thought it sounded like the future and I still think it does.
Not my absolute favourite Radiohead album, but pretty close. The whole album is fantastic but I don't think it ever gets better than the first track. 9/10
Super chilled. Might try it with acid or something
Idioteque whips
Tom is such a whinge. Top bops: How to disappear completely
Yeah no.
I would say this, the bend and OK computer are their best three albums. What this album just has something so captivating, and the intro just feels so emotional and raw. Tom’s vocal performance in this album is just beautiful and emotional. I think this is a 10 out of 10
Radiohead is always a treat. Immense creativity. I’d rank this slightly lower than OK Computer but it’s still such a banger. Especially loved the ambient Treefingers, and everything in its right place.
I'm writing this immediately after the album was revealed for the day- What else is there to say other than it's Kid A, one of the most important rock albums of all time. It has aged unbelievably well, and sounds as though it could fit into the musical landscape of today. Not just in the top 1001 most important albums, but the top 10. Amazing. 9.5/10.
You know a fair chunk of me is disheartened that this album is so good. Really wanted to be smug and have some sort of differing opinion, but no. Kid A is one of the best albums ever made. What other albums have aged like fine wine more than this? Other than at least two other Radiohead albums god damn Thom calm it will you? ‘How to disappear completely’ is still THE most gorgeously horrifying song ever made. It’s getting a five.
Ya know, some songs I like a lot and others just grate on me.
hits different at an airport at 3am
Fantastic album. I’ve heard it plenty but never seems to get old. Great layers to this thing. 4.4/5.0
Def Radiohead. But a little too… drum-machine-y…?
Greatest left turn in music history
De certa forma é um bom disco, mas inferior a "Ok Computer" e "The Bends", pelas presenças de percussão eletrônica, alguns detalhes experimentais e ausência de melodias mais agradáveis. O que o torna um disco um tanto quanto inconsistente.
It was a good album, but i prefer lyrics to actually be clear lol
My favorite Radiohead Album. Fucking love it
I'm a fan, I can't help it, I love this album.
It still sounds fresh after all these years even though Radiohead is one of the most imitated bands on the planet. I love the sense of scale and the unease that is always simmering beneath the surface.
Feels like a atmosphere album to start. National Anthem was cool. Disappear Completely and Treefingers both interesting. Good stretch there, liking this album more than the other radiohead we've had. Still a bit too atmospheric but love the cover art for the album too.
Liked this a lot more than our last Radiohead album (I think. Have we had two already? I can't remember, but there was a boring one at some point). This album has some boring low points, but makes up for it with some incredibly interesting soundscapes. Might revisit it one day. (I forgot we did In Rainbows before and I just read my review and remembered that album again. This was not actually better than In Rainbows)
This is the first Radiohead album that was actually was I had expected it to be. Weird, haunting at times, but well done. They do strange sounds a bit too much for a 5 star but the lyrics and composition are there. Overall was a good listen
This album is perfect. I can’t recall I time that I didn’t have it downloaded so I could listen to it at any point. It has been my soundtrack to flights, walks, jet lagged hours awake in corporate hotels, catch ups with friends, drives and much more. I love that this album happened. I can’t say I got it when it landed but in the years since, it’s never not been in my cd wallet or Spotify library. Perfection.
I don’t rate this album, I like all the early Radiohead, but not this one
Geez, not what I expected.
Shit politics. Classic album.
Not my favourite Radiohead album but it still has got it.
Very experimental for Radiohead. It was really amazing and started their early 2000's era. This album was very electronic and was a big jump from Ok Computer. I loved the album, actually! It's one of their best albums ever! Truly amazing!
Tämä löytyy omasta hyllystä. Muistan että julkaisun aikaan tähän oli vaikea suhtautua kun oli erilainen levy kun vertasi edelliseen OK Computeriin. Biisit oli jotenkin valjumpia ja biiseissä ”säksätyksiä”. Ajan myötä opin levystä pitämään.
Pourtant considéré comme l'un des meilleurs albums des années 2000, reste pour moi trop fait pour les puristes
Radiohead has never been for me. While listening to this, I thought it sounded like a motion picture soundtrack… and then the track Motion Picture Soundtrack played. It’s just messing with me at that point. A chore of an album to get through. Made me irritated during my drive.
Ыван
Immediately fascinated and into this, hearing the band push way off into this ambient electronic space with a whole different set of sounds and letting them filter through some remaining rock ideas into atmosphere and tension in the way that hits my brain so nicely. Really interesting compositions, little hooks and layers of sound (including abstracting Thom Yorke’s voice into feeling, which is a plus) to create a cold, kind of harsh and kind of depressing space that lets me feel comfy cosy.
What a great album. The opening track feels like a walk home after waking up somewhere alien after partying. And that sets you up for the rest of the album—unsettling and comforting at the same time. “Optimistic “ may be my favorite track. Throws you off balance but in a somehow…optimistic way.
I thought the national anthem and how to disappear completely were really good!! This was way different than anything I am used to listening to and I sort of liked it. I think my brain is still processing all the sounds. Will probably have to listen to this again sometime to see what I think.
I liked it better than the other radio head album I've listened to but not by much
I was in the right kind of mood for this album today. I enjoyed this more than their more lyrical heavy stuff. The odd sounds clicked and felt enjoyable and unique. The lyrics as a secondary sound to the real music felt better in this case.
Pretty good album. Never listened to this album other than the single.
Yeah this was different. I'm cool with that.
Same as Amnesiac, too abstract for me. Though I really like Optimistic.
Motion picture and treefingers made me float wow.
I used to think i liked Radiohead. Now i realized i didn't. Their songs just fit well in those playlists but i'm pretty sure i don't want to listen to two of them right after each other ever again.
7/10, lehozott az életről kedvenc: Motion Picture Soundtrack
to depressing for me, idk i would LOVE this twi years ago but now i just didnt find any relation with the album,
I listened to a lot of electronic music of all types before I came across this album 20 years ago (well after its release). I recall much of the hate from critics at release revolved around their amateurish gropings at incorporating electronics into their rock act, well after many others had already done it, and much better in many cases. I agree the synthetic elements are a bit rough but what they do with them fits the music and the band's aesthetic style very well, and its evolution in a great direction. Wasn't until I saw Everything in is Right Place performed live, loops created in real time, that I respected their skill at adapting and applying new techniques, and what they did with this album.
Some good stuff. All a little similar.
Radiohead is such a weird band for me. I realize that a lot of people who are very smart and know a lot about music really love them and call this album a classic on par with other albums that I consider classic. Despite the acclaim that they receive from others they always miss the mark for me. They are not like a Tom Waits who is aggressively weird and is not concerned with album sales. Not to say that Radiohead by the time that this album was made did not care about radio play or whatever but rather that they were assured of selling a lot of albums by this time due to the success of their previous albums and the music industry circa 2000. This is a little better than some of their other albums at least musically but it fails like every other Radiohead album that I have heard due to the singularity of Yorke's voice. Meaning that no matter what he says, no matter how he wishes to convey whatever sorrow or ennui or happiness or whatever, to me he always sounds the same. BLAND.BORING.SAME.
Very flat and kinda boring (except for a few songs). I've heard this album many times over the years…. I love their The Bends album, this one is not even close. 3/5
Overall: 10/10 Genius. Maybe my favourite Radiohead album as a full experience, the electronic soundscapes are gorgeous and I think this is the best that Thom has ever sounded. Essential listening for every human being on earth. Fav Song: Idioteque
Definitely a very defining sound from the 2000s
One of my favourite albums of all time. So many clever uses of samples - especially with idioteque. Radiohead manage to create different sounds that are impressive and at the forefront of the genres they approach. For me, a top 10 album of all time - and not even Radiohead's best album. Wild!
About the time we, as a culture, jettisoned pubic hair, we also turned away from human performances in our music. I find both trends baffling. I don’t mind the organic elements of humanity. But I digress. This, to me, sounds (musically rather than sonically) like one of the legions of soundtracks made for Indy films in the mid-80s by newly successful pop artists as side projects. No songs; just series of modal sonic explorations around two bar “bass lines,” or in some cases bass suggestions. Those soundtracks were never very engaging or moving; just self-indulgent and only occassionally interesting - exactly like this.
Brilliant album
One hell of a successful reinvention
good album, but not nearly as great as some people make it out to be.
I was hoping doing this project would help me get bands like Radiohead that never clicked for me before but I still don’t get them. It just sounds like a bunch of computer noise to me.
Not the best of Radiohead, and such a huge divergence as the follow-up to OK Computer (which I think is the best of their work). I appreciate the genre-bending but this one never really clicked for me. 3.5⭐️
Great
Their second best album
I know this is a lot of people's favorite Radiohead album. Not mine though. There's great stuff on here, but if I'm being honest, probably more than half the songs on here I don't love. Some of them are just transition tracks for ambience, but still, they're not tracks I'll go out of my way to listen to. I still enjoy a good chunk of it each listen, but this probably wouldn't be my top five Radiohead albums.
I always struggle to get into Radiohead. I think because I’m more of a lyrics person and I feel like the lyrics don’t really go with the music a lot of the time. But this listen did elicit some memories and produce a bit of a cool atmosphere so I’m happy about it.
Solid 8/10
Nah
I LOVE RADIOHEADDDD
#488/1001. Ok Computer was ok, but Kid A is straight A.
Kid A is good, but it’s definitely not my favorite Radiohead album. A bit too experimental to me, I love them more on the rockier side. I can’t put 4 stars on this one, even though that total, I’m at 3,7. So I’ll put it at 3. There’s better album than this one that deserve a 4. Everything In Its Right Place: 5 Kid A: 3 The National Anthem: 3 How to Disappear Completely: 5 Treefingers: 3 Optimistic: 5 In Limbo: 3 Idioteque: 4 Morning Bell: 3 Motion Picture Soundtrack: 3
Really not a fan 1/5
Some of them are great, others honestly idk
Atmospheric, surreal, jazzy??
Listened before?: yes, quite a few times over the years Everything in Its Right Place - 5/5 Kid A - 4/5 The National Anthem - 4/5 How to Disappear Completely - 5/5 Treefingers - 3/5 Optimistic - 5/5 In Limbo - 4/5 Idioteque - 5/5 Morning Bell - 5/5 Motion Picture Soundtrack - 5/5 Average score: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’d been told that most of Radiohead was much unlike Creep, and incredibly miserable, but it didn’t really hit until now. This was like listening to the final words of a dying robot. 2/5 ⭐️ 274/1089
Kid A - Radiohead (2000) I usually don't really like electronica but some tracks were pretty decent to me. How to Disappear Completely is great. Optimistic makes me think of Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg and Jean-Claude Vannier, which is on the list too and which I'm looking forward to listen to. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7.5/10
Це крутезний альбом )))
Anyone who considers this revolutionary is a millennial egomaniac who just looks to go against the grain. It’s not bad music, but the people jerking themselves over this album is the equivalent of those artists who just splatter paint on the wall and then after the fact try to look for deep meaning. In reality I think it’s these people overcompensating for not being able to have an original thought and also trying to lie to themselves that they didn’t just waste an hour listening to this. Anyone with a brain isn’t searching for a reason to give this a 5/5 and is just sticking it with a 3/5 and moving onto tomorrow hoping it’s normal music
Music for when you’re in a medically induced coma. Getting a 2 because some of the songs were listenable. Mostly would not want to hear any of that again.
6 out of 5
When this came out I thought it was nonsense and Radiohead had disappeared up their own arse but I was only 18 a few years later I listened to Motion Picture Soundtrack walking through Glasgow city centre at 4am and was blown away so I then listened to the full album and felt like a complete idiot given my initial based on fuck all reaction to a band I really likes having the audacity to not repeat themselves. Lesson learned. 4.5
An album that I did not understand as a teenager as it was such a departure, but later on when revisiting it all clicked and it's up there with their best.
not sure what it is but i've always found them kind of annoying and underwhelming
Great album. Huge shift from OK Computer and a huge shift from what had come before generally.
Radiohead soundtracks the digital age in terrifying fashion. Probably not their best album, but their most original and daring recording for sure.
Not quite their best, but it's really really good
it is honestly their greatest achievement, culminating in peaks of ecstacy. it is a potent drug that can take the world down with it. kid a is amazing
I'm a big fan of Radiohead and some of their albums like In Rainbows, Ok Computer and A moon shaped pool; but this felt too experimental for my liking. Everything in its own place is banger but I felt no desire to return to this album quickly and none of the other songs stood out to me. 3.5/5
5 Radio Head albums on this list, and I have them all well. But this one is definitely different than the others, and not in a good way.
4 keeps a consistent theme Songs got better over time