Reviews (page 6 of 16)
When it was released this was an all time favorite album for me. I still love parts of it, but Radiohead doesn't hold my favor anymore.
To be honest, I couldn't understand it
Meh! Nice vocals and pretty LoFi sounds. Would not be inclined to listen to this ever again!
I liked it but didn’t love it. Radiohead just doesn’t do it for me for whatever reason
Genre defining album and a really boundary pushing one at that. I really like the ambition on some of these tracks and the way the whole thing ties together. I think my opinion is a bit shrouded by my love of In Rainbows, but this side of Radiohead that is dark and gloomy is not my favorite. 8/10
Good album. A lot of instrumentals that where really nice to listen to, favorite song is how to disapear completely
Looking at the reviews, the tracks I hated on this are the ones that everyone else loved, even the ones who didn't care for the album. Lyrically, not impressive (LOOK AT ME I'M VERY SAD!!!!), imo. There are suicide albums that have resonated way more, in a lyrical sense, with my specific experiences. Sonically, super interesting - a lot of texture, a lot of drone, punchy bass and drums. I do not like Thom Yorke's voice, less of that please. Keep only from Treefingers to Morning Bell, and it's a solid 4.5/5. Otherwise, 3/5.
Me pareció que tenía una búsqueda interesante. En si totalidad me gustó, pero si hay algunas canciones que creo que son fácilmente olvidables, por lo menos para mi. Desde 'The nacional anthem' en adelante lo empecé a disfrutar mucho más
good and sad
I'm in love with this album. It feels very different yet the same to their other works. I love the atmosphere the album presents, and how I can't place some of the songs into playlists I have.
Already got
Already listened to fire🔥
I know I'm in the minority, but I very much disliked this album
Music precision engineered for the most insufferable audiophile you know to sneer condescendingly that “you just don’t understand it”. Whiny, overproduced and overwrought nonsense that can only be compared to the sound of the world as experienced from deep inside Thom Yorke’s rectal cavity. We get it Thom, you’re sad that everyone thinks ‘Creep’ is your best song, but this isn’t convincing anyone otherwise. Destined to remain the soundtrack to every 16 year olds black and white poe-faced student film about how the world doesn’t understand him. I don’t know who Kid A is but I hope he’s never found alive.
Pleasant
The vision isn't always there but when it is this album is an absolute masterpiece
I enjoyed it suprisingly
best song: motion picture soundtrack worst song: untitled surprise song: everything in its right place
Det som är bra är jävligt bra, men också ett gäng tråkiga låtar tbh (In Limbo, Kid A, Idioteque)...
1000000000000/10
I’ll admit I don’t think this album is necessarily for me as much as I enjoy alternative funk and rock it’s a place I haven’t explored enough yet to truly appreciate the sound and uniqueness of this album. Late 90s early 2000s alt rock is a sound I have a hard time enjoying and I think that mental blocker is what’s stopping me here. I will need to revisit this album that’s for sure.
Nothing special, nothing awful. Maybe makes for good background music for lounging. Only song I actually quite enjoyed was “ everything in its right place “
like it was fine. very cinematic. not what i was expecting though.
Radiohead is one of my favorite bands. I prefer In Rainbows or OK Computer to this album thiugh
It helps that I’ve listened so many times. But in my mind, this is a masterpiece. So crazy that they did this right after OK Computer.
love the soundscape aspect to this piece, feel the need to be in a dark space completely drown out all senses to fully appreciate this album. I really enjoyed the use of strings adding to this wave of wash of sound (how go disappear completely). definitely in the prog rock/grunge category. unusual listen for me but interesting!! untitled had a beautiful nostalgic feel which concluded the album nicely. honourable mentions: 1. how to disappear completely 2. the national anthem 3. motion picture soundtrack overall rating: 3
I love this album its great
Done
Hankala ajatella miksi joku tekisi tällaisen levyn?
siento que a mi me gusta más que a bogdan?????? la transición de optimistic a limbo está increíble te amo mucho motion picture soundtrack POR QUÉ VERGAS TENÍAN QUE SER SIONISTAS?!?!
not my jam at all
a bit hectic at times. oddly soothing
Eh boring. Feel like I’m forcing myself to like it. I can see this album being ahead of its time when originally released. Opening track was great but then the whole thing plateaus.
Album: Kid A Artist: Radiohead Rating: 98.1/100 Track Notes: Everything in Its Right Place: Hypnotic but kind of clubby. I like this as an album opening track. Kid A: Haunting lullaby feel. So far I am drawn in by this album, when I expected experimental trash. Gets more experimental and electronic around 1:50, but still like it. The National Anthem: Fun bass line. Reminds me of Idles on the Caught Stealing album. How to Disappear Completely: Delightfully haunting. First song with notable vocals. "I'm not here / This isn't happening / I'm not here / I'm not here." Such an iconic and relatable line about anxiety. Treefingers: Light melodic sounds that lift the mood from "How to Disappear Completely," good palate cleanser. Optimistic: Most traditional song. Like a heavier Oasis sound. I like it. In Limbo: The guitar playing is very melodic. Crystal clear vocals. Idioteque: Lot of industrial sounds, "Ice age coming". Instrumentally not my favorite, but I love the lyrics and chorus. Morning Bell: Love the vocals on "release me." Motion Picture Soundtrack: Like the organ sound. Untitled Hidden Track: It's an untitled track.
Second album i've listened to by Radiohead and i'm really impressed by their style and they're not at all what I originally thought they were based on my casual experience with them. And I still haven't listened to OK Computer yet, which i'm sure is on this list as well. I like this experimental rock that almost flows into ambient rock. "Behind the scenes" this album was the result of Radiohead wanting to find themselves and trying to get away from their own commercialization. They had a large internet presence and back in the Napster days, this is a good example of Napster helping music as i'm not sure if this was really an album that MTV could promote. It doesn't feel much like traditional rock and it would be tough to sell it to the MTV crowd. Maybe i'm wrong. But in the days of Limp Bizkit, Mudvayne etc and those very few 2000's rock bands, this is a completely different direction. As a teen in the 2000's, there's a reason why this album wasn't anywhere on my radar. It's hard to find something new if you don't know that you should be looking for something. Anyway, it's a great album with an ambient/psychedelic feel that is great. There are some messy bits and at times I jumped into the middle of a song and just felt like "WTF is even going on here?" but with a continuous listen, I like the ups and downs of it, including the moments of chaos and darkness. I like the rebelliousness of doing a 180 when you're successful and this was a make or break album that almost killed the band. I'm glad they pulled through. Overall, I like In Rainbows more though.
Lots of instrumentals which love also like KID A reminded me of crystal castles but I don’t think I’m that depressed rn to be liking this🤣 this is very you find this in Y12 and listen to this everyday
Will become Teen B.
I’m very much in the camp that finds this whiney and irritating.
I've always considered this a big turning point in popular music. So much so, that I once classified everything after the release of this album as "Modern Rock" or "Modern Alternative". I've since discarded that system, but stand by the idea. This still sounds like music from the future to me, over 25 years after it was released.
7/10
Ah, it’s okay, I suppose
When Radiohead went bad ..
Artwork.
Enjoyed listening as had not heard previously - particularly enjoyed Treefingers and How to Disappear Completely
Was feeling a bit down today and this didn't help with that.
I don't care for Radiohead but I still gave the album a chance. Definitely was not for me.
ive heard of Radiohead beforeee. I’m excited to listen. I’ve def heard the first track soMEWHERE I JUST DK. I expected it to be more grunge rock, kind of like limp bizkit type beat. The first two tracks were giving vocaloid. They’re British so it’s making sense actually. National anthem is speaking to me. No longer giving vocaloid…after first two tracks I can actually understand what’s being said LMFAOOO. I’m curious to see how this is influential…it’s not bad but it’s not wowing me to the point where I think it’s necessary to listen before you croak. Idioteque is eating HOLD ONNN. That transition into morning bell was so yummy. Ok I just finishedddd and honestly that album wasn’t that bad. I don’t think it was spectacular but for people who are more familiar with this vibe or genre I see how it can be influential to them. I didn’t really connect that much with this album and I think because my preferred type of music is more lyrical and fast paced? I can listen to slow songs though but I prefer more lyrics. not bad for the first album though!!
This is my first listen to Kid A, and it’s basically the smug soundtrack for a post nuclear apocalypse world. How to Disappear Completely hints at the shimmery ballads Radiohead will eventually get to, but this is art school wankery at its most wanky. And yet there is something inexplicably compelling about it (apart from The National Anthem - an unlistenable, pretentious fusion of avant garde free jazz and Krautrock).
I have to be honest I didn’t love this one. It felt like a lot of dread and sadness. Which is maybe the point. I’m not huge into interpretive music but I can appreciate that this is meaningful and big for others. Probs not for me
I am sorry for my rating and review Anthony - I feel like I am supposed to like this more than I do … sorry to Radiohead - not sure why it doesn’t resonate with me - not upbeat enough?? Maybe a few more listens would do me good - but I’m landing between 3 and 4 closer to 3 for now I feel like Coldplay was really trying to sound like this sorry I keep thinking of Coldplay when I’m listening to this!
Thee and a half, actually. A little better than average.
Con este disco ya empecé a irme un poco de ellos. Hay temazos y peñazos. Me guardo: "Everything in Its Right Place" y "The National Anthem", aunque también: "Idioteque" y "Morning Bell".
Really unique and weird experimental sounding album. Wouldn’t go out of my way to listen, but definitely happy to have experienced it.
First listened on 26th and 27th August 2025. Favourite songs are Everything In Its Right Place, How to Disappear Completely and Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Fire
I only listened to a few songs, it wasn’t my vibe, but i do feel the artistry.
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? Finally got that out the way, I remember being somewhat repulsed by this upon release, it was too weird, it was too different. It's only now I realise that it was me, it was always me, I wasn't weird enough to appreciate it at the time, now I can safely say I'm very weird and this tickles a brain itch like few things on this list have done so far.
Probably my favorite album of theirs. Still only a 7/10
It's not on here
Honestly a great album with immaculate vibes. I never "got" Radiohead before, but this kinda did the trick for me. I'd love to have this on while I'm chilling doing something else.
It gets an extra star for getting me back off to sleep yesterday morning.
Seriously, what am I missing about Radiohead? I can't understand how anyone listens to this...
Creative and good
very atmospheric, otherworldly, focus on instrumentals, liked the trumpets on the national anthem, feelings of disconnection, despair and depression, siren sounds in how to disappear completely--> ambulance?, alienated, jazzy elements favourites: how to disappear completely, everything in its right place, idioteque, motion picture soundtrack
not bad, but not my favorite radiohead album
Love the earlier albums but this one is where I draw the line. Too much experimentation too much weird noises.
Amazing! Hasn’t ever been my favorite Radiohead album but still musical genius.
This is part of one of my favorite albums (I like listening to the combined Kid A Mnesia album), what're the odds that it would be the first one we listen to! If you have the chance, they made a virtual sort of museum walkthrough that meshes visual and audio elements in interesting ways that I can't recommend checking out enough!
I enjoyed listening to this album. Felt like it had a nice flow from beginning to end. I recognized Everything In Its Right Place and like that one. Other stand outs for me were How To Disappear Completely and Optimistic Morning Bell I had never heard before and it took me by surprise! I liked it maybe the best. Think it has pretty lines weaving in and out between the guitar and vocals. On a subsequent listen In Limbo grabbed my ear...super creepy at the end
It a radio head album and not as good as the last one I reviewed so listen to the other one
Boring, waiting for a climax thats not coming. Missing something to pull it all together. It's like background music for a movie or something you tone out. Likeables: Everything In Its Right Place
I am a huge Radiohead fan but this album might be too experimental even for me. I very much enjoyed some songs like Everything in its Right Place and Idioteque that seem to subvert their respective genres. But I found everything else to be too much noise.
This was a great album. Atmospheric and emotional. As a band they keep growing on me
objective 5
2,1 - Irgendwie zünden Radiohead bei mir nicht. Ich kriege eher ein unruhiges Gefühl beim Hören, was ich nicht möchte. Highlights: Everything in Its Right Place, How to Disappear Completely
Good, not my fav
Conflicted on this one because there were some songs I really liked and some I really didn’t, but I did like the overall mood of the album. Maybe enough to forgive some of the songs I didn’t like. I think I would maybe listen to the album again if I was in the right mood and I’ll definitely keep listening to the songs I enjoyed. Fav song: Everything In Its Right Place Least fav: The National Anthem
A couple songs really carrying this album. Really not a huge fan of a few of the other songs. Radiohead’s merit and the fact that Everything in its right place is one of my favourite songs is really saving it here. Without that it’s way down in my books. Specific rating - 4.1 Fav song - Everything in its right place Least fav- the national anthem
Went into the album only really knowing (and loving) Everything in its Right Place so I had high expectations. I was very much let down, there were some pretty good songs but there was far too much annoying noisy headache inducing beeping bullshit. By the end the whining of his voice was also annoying me, had to go back and listening to Everything in its Right Place again to not rate this any lower. Favourite song: Everything in its Right Place Least: Idioteque
I think I enjoyed this more than Hail to the Thief. Radiohead is a blind spot. Trying to decide if I like them.
Third assigned Radiohead album is the best by a long shot. When they are at this best they sound like they are tirelessly searching…for something. And I get go with them. Oak Computer and Kid A were their zenith, and it still works damn well on me.
I remember falling to sleep listening to this when I was about 18. I woke up in some sort of daze during The National Anthem. It completely blew my mind. But then I had to admit to my Radiohead pushing friend, that maybe they were a better band than Nofx. That was tough.
Cool album, would maybe listen again. 6.8/10
Kinda ok not my favorite has a lot of just instrumental which is fine just nothing that hits me hard enough
MASTERPIECE!
2.0 - Weak
Short and punchy. Does what it wants and then leaves.
Nothing music. Musically boring. Lyrics that never grabbed me. Forgot I was actively listening to it twice.
The future is beeps and boops.
Great album, every song is a banger
The dawning of the millennium needed a sound track, a prophet and a message. 10/10, all time for me. Perhaps it was my listening to this at 15, maybe that 9/11 happened just before this was released.
it’s kid a. prolly like 4th fav rh album tho
Already loved this album (and most of Radiohead's albums). 👍Everything In Its Right Place, How to Disappear Completely, Optimistic, Idioteque, Morning Bell
Great album, kicking off with Everything In Its Right Place is such a great start. Now, unsurprisingly we venture into more of that artsy Radiohead stuff, which has never really done it for me. Real good album but this is no In Rainbows.
One of the most annoying albums I have ever heard. Thom Yorke’s voice is so grating. All he does is whine and moan with his high pitched shriek. Ear shredding noise, incomprehensible, like a banshee who has stepped on a piece of Lego, but is too wrapped up in its own self wallowing misery to scream, so instead the banshee just wails and cries. It’s not just the vocalist (can we really call him a singer?) who grates. The music is tedious and boring. Nothing here is exciting at all, yet there is a sense that we are supposed to be in awe at this sequence of random noises. To quote Peter Griffin, “it insists upon itself”. Don’t just say you like it because NME or your hipster mates say you should. Be brave, stand up for yourself and admit that you think it’s rubbish. I’m not going to waste any more of my life ranting about Kid A. It’s self indulgent, pretentious shite.
Awesome! I used to listen to this album as a kid, the first song was my alarm for a while.
даа крутые дядьки конечно, нечего сказать. только ужасные дудки в the national anthem не понравились, а так все круто очень
Tók hana ekki alveg inn við fyrstu hlustun, hlustaði svo aftur með heyrnatól og naut hennar þá betur
Já, töff. Ég er svo glaður að vera að hlusta á plötur sem ég hef "misst af"
Feels like cinematic soundtrack rather than an artist album. Big enjoy
I enjoyed it but I'm never gonna get that excited about down-tempo ambient stuff
Radiohead doesn't need six albums on this list. That's too many dang Radioheads. At minimum we can drop Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows. Probably Amnesiac too, even though I love Like Spinning Plates Anyway, Kid A has some of my favorite Radiohead songs (Everything In Its Right Place, The National Anthem, Idioteque, Morning Bell), some ok tracks, and a couple that go nowhere. Overall I still prefer weird sad Radiohead over electronica Radiohead but Kid A is great already in collection
I feel like this album should either get a 1 or a 5. I _get_ that it's something special, but... I can't relate to it. Could not do it 25 years ago, still can't do it today. So, let's make it a 3, which is bullshit, because this cannot be middle-of-the-road. Still...
Imagine putting out one of the greatest records ever (OK Computer) and then dropping this. Talk about reinvention. This album completely changed the game. It may not be OKC but it’s perfect in its own right. The highs and lows of this album are extraordinary. From dance tracks to techy ballads truly everything’s in its right place…
This is the year Radiohead starting clicking for me, so versatile and every song is full of different flavors and textures. They make every album experience feel very complete.
A really good album but at times it loses my interest. For me this is not as good as the albums before.
I always enjoy reading about albums that bands had the artistic freedom to do their way, without corporate or commercial pressures. I just wish I enjoyed the outcome as much.
Stuck in two miles of bottled up traffic, I finally was passing the car being pulled out of a snowbank. Wondering what might have caused the accident, my eyed locked with the clearly frustrated driver, and mine asked, “Kid A?” His replied, “It was just so boring.” And I nodded because I knew.
More bored, pretentious, mumbley crap. 2.5*
(100/100)
How to disappear completely (mega dobrý), motion picture soundtrack (mega dobrý
As someone who's pretty much never listened to anything Radiohead except hits, this was a great album to explore their discography and sound just a bit more. The different themes going on between like synthy funk and aggressive drum beats and then other slowed down songs really creates this cool contrasting album. There was a few songs in the middle I really didn't love, so I don't think a 5 is totally justified here, but still really enjoyable overall.
4.4 This album came to me at the perfect time in my life. I then completely rinsed it dry over the course of a couple of years and haven't given it much airtime since. Listening back now, it is brilliant, but has its flaws. The titular track is a bit too experimental, and it ends on a slightly damped note, but some of the other stuff is incredible. Opener is immense, and a great instant escape from being forced into making OK Computer 2.0. The triad of Optimistic - In Limbo - Idioteque is arguably their greatest moment as a band. National Anthem and Tree fingers are good but nothing to write home about, and it's this latter point that arguably stops it achieving 5* status.
I have a complicated relationship with Radiohead. Ok Computer was on constant repeat in 1997 and defines the time around my first-born’s birth more than anything. There are so many hits across their catalog…but individual albums on their own end up feeling hit-or-miss. Everything in Right Place, National Anthem, and How to Disappear are favorites here. But it takes a certain mood to want to put this on end-to-end. In short: love the band, like the album. 4/5
They don't call this album the greatest left turn in music for any reason. Considering how praised 'OK Computer' was when it published, releasing this album after it is an incredibly bold move. Makes me wonder how fans of the band reacted once they listened to 'Everything In Its Right Place' and see that there's only electronics and no electric guitar, bass nor drums. But me? I think this album is incredibly, and I like it more than OK Computer, but not more than In Rainbows, and it is due to how emotional it feels. Sadness has always being a major part of Radiohead's music. Ok Computer and The Bends are full of songs with very melancholic and depressing melodies. Some examples would be 'Let Down', 'No Surprises', 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' and 'Creep' (even though it is from 'Pablo Honey'). When it comes to the sadness of 'Kid A', it is portrayed in a very different way when compared with its predecessors. It is a very cold, lonely and distance sadness, created thanks to the immense soundscapes built from the subtle instrumentation and production. Not only they introduced synths and electronics to construct these ambiences, but the electric guitars also are played in a way that they collaborate in expanding these sounds. When it comes to the more electronic side of this album, the most clear examples are 'Everything In Its Right Place', 'Kid A', 'Treefingers', 'Idioteque', 'Motion Picture Soundtrack' and 'Untitled'. - 'Everything In Its Right Place' is such a great opener for the album that only uses synths and voice; and sets incredibly well the tone of the whole experience. - 'Kid A' has a wonderful and subtle melody that almost feel like it was played in a xylophone. It also has drumming and a very robotic sounding Thom Yorke which is quite funny to listen to. - 'Idioteque' is very eerie sound that comes from the sample from 'Mild und leise' by the artist 'Paul Lansky'. - 'Treefingers' and 'Untitled' are very minimalistic ambient tracks which build some very huge atmospheres. - 'Motion Picture Soundtrack' is a very beautiful piece which ends the album quite well (not counting 'Untitled' as the true ending) with a very beautiful synth mimicking the sound of an organ. The rest of the tracks may not be as purely electronic as the ones mentioned, but they still have some very noticeable influences or experimentation: - 'The National Anthem' is the most chaotic track of the album. It features a very groovy bass and more traditional rock drumming, but what set this song apart from the rest is the 'free jazz' inspired horns introduced in the second half of the song. - 'How to Disappear Completely' may be one of the most powerful tracks of Radiohead's whole discography. I don't think I ever hear a song addressing despersonalization in such an effective way, specially thanks to the lyrics. - 'Optimistic' is also a more "traditional" Radiohead song as the electric guitars are back and very present, but they manage to create a soundscape comparable to some of the more experimental cuts of the project. What I like about the song is the positive sound it brings following the tracks 'How To Disappear Completely' and 'Treefinger'. - 'In Limbo' and 'Morning Bell' are the only tracks that didn't impact me as much as the other did, but still really good, 'In Limbo' feels quite mysterious and 'Morning Bell' is very relaxing and sounds very positive. In conclusion, this album is fantastic. Not only it is extraordinarily experimental, but it also is super effective and emotional.
Felt like a fever dream. It was alright, not annoying but I wouldn't say stand out album or band. Really need to be in the mood. Interestingly a song sounded very much like a song Placebo later made and I thought that was coolest thing about the album - Reddit agrees there is a similarity, not just in my head, but I don't think anything is sampled.
Other Radiohead albums have been ok but this one seemed more experimental maybe and I didn’t like it as much.
Har redan lyssnat på den
Modern classic
This album takes you right where it intends to. Radiohead carefully creates a sort of sci-fi melancholy, like aimlessly drifting through space. It's littered with disjointed beeps and boops like you're manning a spacecraft. Thom Yorke accompanies the sprawling and experimental sounds with his signature pained cries. No single song stands out to me but I think it's better for that. It doesn't feel like an album you sit and listen to every detail. I think it's best played front to back in the background during some woeful reflection. Just get lost in the feeling as it might be cathartic.
I still remember having to pull over and stop the car when I heard A NATIONAL ANTHEM for the first time on the radio. It's still that good. Perfect record.
Was listening to this only yesterday coincidentally. Absolutely love it...imagininative difficukt (in a good way) and intriguing.
Я, конечно, слушала его сто раз, но среди этого репчика, соула и фанка, который у меня тут идет по списку, эта пластинка - что роза в ведре навоза. Услада
Reinvention.
7/10
I was going to give this a 2 but it really picked up for me in the last third. Got a lot more interesting. I think musically it's varied and good, but Tommy Hawk's mawking is not for me... at least not for a whole album.
Slow.and borrimg
Radiohead is that friend who you dearly love but is so intense that they are exhausting. You can only deal with them in small doses and then have to take a break. But they are fundamentally good and kind but so serious, without any levity to ameliorate the situation. But you still love them. I had a friend who hated Radiohead until this album. They were so shocked that they liked this that they actually bought it for me for Christmas so that we could listen to it together. That was a revelation. Serious but seriously good.
Radiohead is such a difficult monster to rate. I like In Rainbows quite a bit more, though it got the same star rating not a week ago. That, to me, is a better collection of songs. This, for me, has always been hard to get through from beginning to end, I may never have actually listened to the entire thing in one sitting. It sets a mood, it's dense and atmospheric, and while not nearly my favorite of their albums, is certainly better than a 3. I might go with a 3.7, and in this case, its sheer weight somehow lifts it to the 4.
I love that they dropped this after OK Computer, at the peak of their popularity. What chutzpah! This really is a great record, though it's not one I can pop on all that often. The paranoia and claustrophobia do get a bit much. But there are moments of sheer beauty on here. And The National Anthem is Morphine meets Mingus (or maybe even Sun Ra). The run of The Bends through Kid A is pretty hard to top. (P.S. Thanks to this one coming so closely on the heels of In Rainbows and thanks to y'alls good reviews of that one, I figured I needed to go back and re-evaluate that one. I have updated my review.)
One of the greatest openers of any album. Everything in its Right Place completely sets the stage for the next 50 minutes in which I feel in harmony with sound and energy vibrations I can't explain. I just love this music.
Radiohead are my all-time favourite band, and with a Copenhagen show on the horizon this feels like perfect timing to revisit Kid A. I've threatened my wife-to-be and our two dogs for years that I'd give a TED Talk on this album. Now's my chance. Kid A sits in my top three records of all time, just behind OK Computer and The Dark Side of the Moon, but in many ways it's the one that means the most to me. It wasn't the first Radiohead album I ever owned (that was Pablo Honey, bought as a kid because it was cheaper than the “Creep” single). It wasn't even the first Radiohead release to arrive while I was actively collecting music (that honour goes out to OK Computer). But Kid A was the first Radiohead album that landed at a time when I was a complete fanatic. I can't overemphasise the hype for this album. There were bootlegs flying around the Radiohead chat forums, there were the amazing animated "blips" that Stanley Donwood created, marketed through a website (one of the first websites that felt more like an art installation), and I was even at a launch party for the album in a local club named Cuba, which was bizarrely co-owned by Huey Morgan of the Fun Lovin' Criminals. The hype was there because this was the follow-up to the greatest album of our time, of all time, OK Computer. And it became the biggest left turn in modern music. For a lot of listeners, it was a shock: abandoning their guitars and diving into electronica. But, it never felt like a challenge to me. I already liked electronic music, but more than that, it felt like a natural progression. OK Computer had pushed guitars to their absolute limits, so the only place left was to go beyond. And even then, guitars never vanished entirely. "Optimistic", "Morning Bell" and "In Limbo" are still pushing the boundaries of guitars, and even the ambient weightlessness of "Treefingers" is built entirely from guitar samples run through the Ondes Martenot. Kid A pulls influence from everywhere. Charles Mingus, Aphex Twin, CAN, Talking Heads' "Remain in Light". But Radiohead filter those influences into something that doesn't feel like rock, electronica, jazz or ambient. It's its own beast. I'm convinced Kid A is a concept album. A protagonist, let's say Yorke for shorthand, feels disconnected from the world, experiencing it at a distance, like Kid A, the first human clone: conscious, confused, overwhelmed, and unprepared. The title song is an alien lullaby with half-human vocals filtered through the Ondes, with Phil taking over the programmed drums halfway through. It's as jarring as it is beautiful, and one of Radiohead's most underrated masterpieces. "The National Anthem" feels like that Yorke's first contact with reality: the pounding bassline as a heartbeat, the brass section spiralling into overwhelming sensory overload, the world happening far too fast. The emotional climax of the entire album arrives in “How to Disappear Completely,” one of my all-time favourite songs. Yorke has spoken about the out-of-body experience that inspired it, imagining his head floating down the Liffey during a Dublin gig, and I feel a strange national pride that one of Radiohead's most transcendent moments is tied to this country. That rising Ondes Martenot part, two notes of absolute clarity, is one of the most emotionally affecting passages in any Radiohead song. The strings are gorgeous, offering a moment of acceptance before the world (and string section) collapses again around him. No song has ever captured overwhelm and anxiety better than this. "I'm not here. This isn't happening". "Treefingers" feels like a complete emotional shutdown. After the painful dissociation of "How to Disappear", this is total withdrawal. Floaty, ambient, numb and peaceful. Then "Optimistic" brings Yorke back to earth with a momentary sense of clarity and perspective, though sarcasm and exhaustion soon creep in. "In Limbo" has him literally lost at sea: dark, brooding chords, that uneasy stop-start riff, the repeated plea of "don't bother me". It's yet another one of Radiohead's most criminally underrated tracks and its descent into madness at the end is pure perfection. "Idioteque" is the album's lurch into panic: climate disaster ("ice age coming"), political cynicism ("let me hear both sides"), technology overload ("mobiles chirping"), and the bleak hopelessness of protest ("we're not scaremongering, this is really happening"). For an entire generation of guitar kids, this was the gateway to electronica. It was impossible to ignore. "Morning Bell" plays like someone going through a divorce, but completely emotionally detached, suggesting they "cut the kids in half” as part of their settlement. But it's actually more about being divorced from reality itself. "Motion Picture Soundtrack" brings the album to a crescendo of an ending. That organ is gorgeous. Yorke seems to decide to leave the overwhelm of the world behind altogether with the line "I will see you in the next life". But, perhaps it's also Yorke deciding to go back to a moment of peace, accepting the world, as we get an ending of ambiguity with the ambient, weightless synth-string coda bringing us back for a moment, post-credits, to the calmness of "Treefingers". Every member of the band reinvents themselves here. Jonny Greenwood goes from one of the most innovative guitarists of all time, to one of the most innovative musical minds, full stop, bringing KAOSS pads, modular synths, the Ondes Martenot, sampling, and more to the mix. Kid A isn't a left turn. It's the sound of a band battling with the expectations of the entire world, the ensuing writer's block, and a disconnection from reality due to the surreal nature of public attention and relentless touring. And somehow creating one of the best albums of all time in the process. A true masterpiece of anxiety, overwhelm and disconnection. 100 stars.
I could not be convinced to like Radiohead. I hated listening to this. Sorry Thom Yorke.
I don't like Radiohead very much but this an almost perfect mix of experimental and accessible. It's out there with The Bends for me.
Pretty much perfect, no notes
Meandering wailing whimsy. Not for me
1001 Albums Vol. 0010: Kid A ============================================================ Introduction: Right before I rated my previous album, I legitimately stopped and thought something along the lines of "I'm probably going to get OK Computer next." Well, I didn't get it, but I sure as hell got one of the greatest albums ever made. Not quite as good, but by the same artist that I thought I would get. How? I seriously don't even know what to say to this streak of albums I've gotten anymore. In fact, I'm not going to. It's genuinely amazing how many 10/10 albums I've gotten back-to-back. I'll leave it at that. I really doubt that anyone will need an introduction to this album, but I'll still give one nonetheless. Kid A is a studio album released in 2000 by one of the greatest bands of all time. The band in question being Radiohead. Up until 2000, Radiohead had been known for their works relating to alternative rock; however, this album took a complete left turn. This album kept a few aspects of rock, yet it incorporated more elements of electronic, ambient, and so on. Like I said, this was a dramatic shift from what Radiohead was known for up until this point. Obviously, a major shift in sound caused controversy among fans and critics alike. Some loved the album while some thought it was too ambitious and redundant. Many of these criticisms came from the new sound Radiohead decided to take on. The entire situation could honestly be compared to when Bob Dylan decided to change his focus from pure folk to electronic music. The album initially received poor reviews, yet it has gone on to not only be called a masterpiece, but one of the greatest albums of all time in the years since its release. I'm going to be honest, I've already heard this album in its entirely, and I kinda agree with that statement. Do I believe Radiohead released a something that is somehow even better just a few years before this? Yes, I do. Nevertheless, I'm a fan of both 90's and modern Radiohead. I'm already pretty positive about the score I'm going to give this album, yet I'll re-listen to it in its entirety nonetheless. With that said, let's get into one of the greatest albums on this site: Kid A by Radiohead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track 1: Everything In Its Right Place Score: 11/10 Track 2: Kid A Score: 10/10 Track 3: The National Anthem Score: 11/10 Track 4: How to Disappear Completely Score: 11/10 Track 5: Treefingers Score: 10/10 Track 6: Optimistic Score: 10/10 Track 7: In Limbo Score: 11/10 Track 8: Idioteque Score: 11/10 Track 9: Morning Bell Score: 10/10 Track 10: Motion Picture Soundtrack Score: 11/10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Conclusion: Well, there's another one of the greatest albums of all time done. I really don't know what to say about this album that hasn't been said already. Everything about it is simply perfect. It just flows with so much creativity from the first second all the way to the end. There is not a single moment I would call bad or even just alright off of this album. It's genuinely perfect. Musically, this album manages to be one of the most innovative, dramatic, depressing, beautiful, and alienating things I have ever heard. I mean, I seriously couldn't describe this album's music better other than it sounds like it comes straight from the future. That's a crazy thing to say about an album released twenty-five years ago. One quarter of a century ago and I still envision this to be the soundtrack of the future. This, in part, comes from the amazing production off of each song. I mean, there isn't a single moment off of this album where I would say the production sounds aged. If Radiohead wanted to do something with a song, they would get their producer to do it with no questions asked. I would go so far as to say that some of the best production and musical choices I have ever heard come off of this album. The synths and overlapping voices in the first track, the hauntingly beautiful minutes of How To Disappear Completely, the aggressive beat on Idioteque, and so many more that would take too long to list. Speaking of which, How To Disappear Completely is officially my new number one song I've heard off this site. Jimi Hendrix wasn't even on top for a week. With that said, there isn't really anything else that I can say about this album's music. It's simply perfect. Another perfect aspect of this album is its lyrics. Now, I will admit, I can see why one could possibly dislike Radiohead's lyrics. They are admittedly extremely vague and seem almost senseless and too metaphorical at times, yet this only adds to the replay value of the album in my opinion. It may take a lot of listens, but a theme that makes just enough sense may come together throughout each song. On the topic of meanings, this album does seem to be a concept album. It doesn't seem to have a narrative to follow, yet it seems to be set in the future in some way. There are so many themes off of this album that speak of alienation, destruction, depression, and so on that seem to hint at an extremely dark future. For example, Idioteque, while up to interpretation, is a song that seems to be about humanity's downfall at their own hands. An example of depression is Morning Bell, a song that is widely interpreted to talk about divorce. As a side note, Morning Bell is apparently about an experience Thom Yorke had with a ghost in a house he used to live in. I personally don't see it, yet I digress. Point is, lyrics and meaning are extremely well-thought and well-written. I'd say that they're perfect. Now, Thom's voice is freaking sublime as well. I really don't feel like I have to go into detail about it, because who hasn't heard Thom Yorke sing before? All I'll say is that it's one of the most distinct and interesting voices I have ever heard. I mean that in a good way. It's perfect and perfectly matches with the unique and creative vibe every song gives off. With all that said, Kid A is yet another perfect album. I just can't stop getting them. I would go so far as to call it one of my favorite releases off all time. Everything I just described should perfectly summarize my feelings about this album. It's perfect. It's beyond perfect. It's only been five albums, yet another one of my favorite releases of all time, Disintegration, has been overthrown. Kid A is my new absolute uncontested favorite from this site. I seriously can barely think of anything that is better than this album, so I expect it to rule supreme for awhile. I'll just have to wait and see. ============================================================ Kid A Score: 11/10 Song Average: 10.6/10
Fav: optimistic, idioteque.
*Musically relevant and creative- just not my thing *I wish I could get more into this band but they just don't do much for me
So that's what the big deal is about. I'll listen again.
There were a couple songs that had some “unusual noise” mixed in… the rest they just had the unusual noise and forgot about adding the songs…. This is just noise… will never listen to it again… if I’m in a room and it comes in.. I WILL walk out! 1 star (which is code for ZERO)
I HATE RADIOHEAD!!! Thom Yorke’s voice is just so whiny. Hopefully, this is the last one.
It was ok, not your typical Radiohead album. It was too different from what they used to do. A little too different for my liking.
Very interesting coming from Radio Head. Felt very experimental, almost like they were all high when they wrote this album. Overall interesting but not my favorite from them.
This is the Radiohead album where they did everything. Jazz, rock, EDM, ambient. Every song is wildly creative. The arpeggio on In Limbo is dissonant and fantastic. The BOC influence is bigger here than on any other Radiohead album. Awesome tracklist. Biggest fault is that Pyramid song didn't make the cut.
Solid Radiohead album
the goat
This was a game changer when it came out, but then everyone wanted to be Radiohead. I'd still take this for what it is, turning Radiohead into a legendary band instead of just a great British Rock band.
I don't think it's Radiohead's fault that they have become synonymous with pretentiousness - but surely there is no better example in popular music than Kid A. This is mid music. It's not terrible, but it's certainly not great and it doesn't have much to say. Fuck all the critics and fans who are so obsessed with being the ones who "get it" that they forget to be authentic to themselves. There's nothing *to* get. It's experimental electronic. it's alright but it's also fucking weird and mopey I like Radiohead, love them at times, but Kid A is mid 5.5 / 10 Best track/s: How to Disappear Completely, The National Anthem
I know lots of folks love Radiohead … I just couldn’t get into this album. Lord knows I tried
I remember thinking I did not understand the hype when this album was released. Still don’t understand it.
Jeg tror, det her er et album, der vil have gavn af flere gennemlytninger. Kunne egentligt godt lide de fleste sange, men der var ikke noget, der bed sig fast.
You can't truly appreciate Kid A unless you have a masters degree - it's just too elevated. First time I listened after getting my online MBA from DeVry, I was like "WOW! Now I get this" 5/5 stars would recommend
Really love the first Radiohead albums, but here it is getting to weird for me. Trying to find some kind of musical backbone throughout the album, but not finding it. A disappointment actually.
One of the goats.
Not OK
A very enjoyable concept album as is almost the case with all of the music delivered by Radiohead. Mystical, challenging and quite enjoyable.
Still fresh
The first time I heard this album, I just didn’t get it. Some parts sounded cacaphonic and extremely disorienting. Other parts went on for too long and overstayed its welcome. It is now currently my favorite Radiohead album. To me, it’s more cohesive than OK Computer and has higher highs than In Rainbows. Radiohead’s decision to just completely change their sound and how they work entirely is still unmatched. I haven’t heard anything with such a drastic difference going from the OK Computer era to Kid A/Amnesiac. So much beauty and drama throughout the album itself. The horns in The National Anthem and the strings in How to Disappear Completely still haunt me everytime. The run from Optimistic to Morning Bell is great. The ending with Motion Picture Soundtrack feels elevating and majestic. A true display of the innovation and technicality of the band.
One of the rare experimental albums that you can listen to all the way through
I know how highly regarded this record is and I do like it but it’s just not 100% my thing.
I think this record is just really unique and cool. Sounds incredible. Pretty specific vibe, requires the right set and setting.
top radiohead no notes.
One of my favorite albums.
The defining record of the millenium so far.
I am reluctantly moved by the art of these dorks.
Oh boy. Time and time again I'm reminded that I am sometimes an outlier in taste sometimes. Kid A does not do much for me. I appreciate its relevance and Radiohead's contribution to indie music. But I can't front run an album that hasn't spoke to me. Following me my entire life is a lack of appreciation for these mid era RH releases. I've been criticised and have recieved so many convincing arguments. But you can't top The Bends. I'm sorry. On the bright side the use of contrasting live instruments and synths combined with post rock elements does set this album apart from the rest of the catalogue. And the droning melodramaticism complements Thom's voice. I understand the appeal but I wont lie, this didn't do much to me. 3 stars on principal.
First listen
Brilliant album. Not listened to in a wee while and was great to listen to again. 10/10.
Kid A gets five stars from me. Except for Pablo Honey, I would rather listen to any Radiohead album over nine out of ten albums on the thousand and one list. As I was listening to Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left, I was wondering if anyone ever said "'How to Disappear Completely' would not exist without Nick Drake." I would not say that, but the echoes appear to be there. "The National Anthem" and "Optimistic" are top tier Radiohead songs for me. However, virtually every other song is strong in its own right.
hrmmm... what an unenviable position to be in to have to follow up ok computer... i don't say this to mean that i think radiohead should've given up music at this point and become real estate agents or something. more that: i like kid a. i like radiohead. i had songs saved off of this album before i did a front to back listen... but!! ☝️this did not instill the same feeling of grandeur and emotion that ok computer did. feelings that, on ok computer's part, were pretty effortless to command whereas kid a felt... opaque??? meandering??? and, i have to speculate that's intentional for this album because of it's background as an exploratory endeavor following ok computer. i mean... they made two albums out of them fucking around here (lol). if i was talented enough to make two albums out of me fucking around on synthesizers, i would, but i'm not, so i don't, and that doesn't mean radiohead shouldn't have either, but i think i like their other albums more than this. highlights - kid a, the national anthem, how to disappear completely, optimistic, in limbo, idioteque, morning bell
Interestingly experimental, but not really my style.
Labai ambient. Daugmaž visos dainos geros, palieka ispūdį.
I'm happy to listen but really, I can just award a "5" right now. I've heard and lived this album so many times. I'm maybe in the minority, but I'm a bigger Amnesiac fan, but Kid A is still a straight up 5. 1st album I rated before I listed.
We are slowly but surely getting to their best album. Kid A remains a true gem for the community of human beings. 10/10
This album is my wife.
Well, I wasn’t a Radiohead fan before listening to this and I sure as hell am not one after listening to it either.
Just not a fan…ponderous
I actually like this. Or maybe I'm just in a mood.
Heard in 2021. Radio head was a great band
I really loved OK Computer, so when Kid A came out I rejected it halfway through the first side of the album. Listening to it again, for the second time ever, and actually making it all the way to the end this time, it's not as bad as I first thought. In fact I'm going to give this four stars as I feel it deserves a relisten.
Dark, haunting, beautiful. I still prefer In Rainbows or OK Computer though. 9/10 Favourite track: How to Disappear Completely
ett av de bästa albumen någonsin, alla låtar och delar helt klockrena.
I mean, det är kanske ett av de bästa albumen som släppts under hela 2000-talet. Fenomenalt, emotionellt, groovigt, ledsamt. Det är ett magnifikt album där titelspåret är det enda mediokra men fuck it, albumet känns fel utan det. Jag har fortfarande tårar i ögonen efter att albumet är klart Det här albumet förtjänar att vara här. "The greatest left turn in music history"
Best Track - "Everything In Its Right Place"
Is ok
Didn't know what to make of this when it first appeared, but it grew on me every time I played it. When I listen to it without distractions, it fills the room and washes the stress away like nothing else.
i dont remember
I will confess right off the bat: I’ve never gone deeper than the hits with Radiohead. This is my first full listen, start to finish, of any Radiohead album, and I suspect that Kid A is probably the wrong one to start with. All that said: I thought this album was pretty bad. A lot of this sounded like the bad electronica artists that I continually give bad scores to, only this time it’s accompanied by Thom Yorke’s droning vocals; a double-whammy of terrible. I understand that Radiohead are artists in every sense of the word, continually changing their sound, but when the sound is bad I have to call it like it is. This is experimental noise that I have little interest in. I mildly enjoyed ‘National Anthem’ and ‘How to Disappear Completely’, so it’s gonna be a low 2/5 for me. Don’t hate me.
6.6
Love the stuff
4.5. very good.
Remember it being better. Still great
Favourite Radiohead album, easy 5
9/10 Favorites: Everything In Its Right Place How to Disappear Completely
Imaginative and dynamic, mostly great but occasionally drones on for too long.
Cold, haunting and beautiful. Dissociated, introverted and able to induce transcendental feelings. Central Park in autumn.
Didn’t like it. Could have been I wasn’t in the right mood or something.
no
A jarring departure from the anthemic guitar masterpiece that is "OK Computer", "Kid A" took some time to digest when I first heard it many years ago. But now, in retrospect and hear with fresh ears, it's brilliance is as clear as the left turn Radiohead took, having taken guitar-based rock to its logical conclusion. This is electronic-infused music that relies on that genre's emphasis on themes and moods over deeply structured verse/chorus melodies. It all works, and Radiohead here creates an electronic album as good as anything done by the masters of that form.
3 sterne
Maybe not as good as their other ones that I’ve got, but I just can’t resist some Radiohead, I just love it. 5 stars
Like it but not my fave from this band
It was aight — I’d give this one 3.5 stars prob
Its dark my 4pm and has been. Raining for days. Perfect Kid A weather. One of my favourite albums from probably my favourite band. 1 month before I’m off to see them in Copenhagen.
Thanks, Generator. I hadn’t listened to this in a whole day.
This, for me, is the peak of all Radiohead albums. I remember when it came out, it took me a while to get into, but when it clicked, it really clicked. Favorite track is hard to pinpoint, but I love the beautiful cacophony of "National Anthem."
Pretty solid. Good casual listen. Wouldn't mind having this on vinyl.
I'm not here. This isn't happening.
The Bends and Ok Computer are all-timers for me, but Radiohead lost me with this album, and I have not since returned. A few songs are pretty good ("Optimistic"), but generally, "music from the planetarium" is not a genre I'm into.
I like this album quite a bit. It's not my favorite Radiohead album, but it's very good. It seems maybe a little more ambient-oroented than other albums without as much of the noise and clamor I really love. But still, it's Radiohead, and they're a solid 4 even on a bad day.
While I like two Radiohead albums better than this, it’s a massive change from the previous album and I love a band that doesn’t rest on its laurels. The opening of this album is wonderful. The very first noted let you know what is coming.
This seems complicated and interesting, but not enjoyable. No memorable songs; a lot of cool sounds that would be good as the soundtrack for a Blade Runner knockoff where a guy in a trench coat is walking down an alley.
4/5 - This is one polarizing album; if you're going to plant a flag on your feelings about Radiohead, this is usually the exact spot you plant it. I remember being disappointed at the time it came out, because it wasn't the OK Computer follow-up I wanted, but I like it more now than I did then. The feel of this album just gets into my head, and I'm still humming parts of it the day after. If you hate Kid A, I get it. If you love Kid A, I get it.
Don’t like it as much as I think I should! Still prefer The Bends and will return to that every time I need a Radiohead fix
idk man, whiny, moany, meh got bored
Flow
I love Radiohead. I liked the album, but it’s not all that remarkable. Just a bit forgettable, especially compared to the rest of the band’s discography.
Certainly overrated but I get why people like it so much. It really doesn't have as much depth as other radiohead albums, all of the songs are very one sided. still good, just I will always make fun of it whenever I can. poser electronic music they wanna be aphex twin sooooo bad.
É um excelente álbum, mas acordei bem humorado e vai me fuder o mojo.. Dia seguinte: até não fudeu. 5/5
I'm not sure how I feel about this album. It's a little too electronic for me, and Thom's voice is really weird and jarring at times. That said some of the riffs were really solid. I'm not sure I'd put it on myself, but I wouldn't complain if someone else did. I'm not sure how I feel about this album. It's a little too electronic for me, and Thom's voice is really weird and jarring at times. That said some of the riffs were really solid. I'm not sure I'd put it on myself, but I wouldn't complain if someone else did.
Not my favourite Radiohead album. Not by a long shot. I’m not even really sure I liked this album. It’s very forgettable.
It's been a while!
I think Radiohead is peak and I am tired of pretending it's not. I do think this one is one of the more controversial albums. Mostly because it is a bit experimental, even for Radiohead. That coupled with the usual glazing that Radiohead receives it can frustrate listeners that aren't necessarily into their sound or just avant-garde, admittedly pretentious, music. I do think this album is overrated, but in the same way that the Beatles are overrated. They were influential and they consistently attracted attention, which inevitably gathers detractors. I believe this plays with soundscapes and ideas that still feel different and fresh after all this time. Is it an album you would play in a long drive? Probably not, but I would play this alone in an indirectly lit room with a warm drink, preferably with the sound of rain pattering at the window? This is what I did yesterday I actually, and it fucking hit. 4.5/5
yep, sounds like Radiohead
I think it’s very funny after last weeks Radiohead album, we get arguably one of their top 3 works. While it isn’t my favorite, as I reserve that for The Bends or Ok Computer, I think both the context in which this album came out and doing a little research about the album has me enjoying it more than I would of without it. This album came out right after they released Ok Computer, which at the time was well regarded as a premier Rock release. If I go back and listen to that work before Kid A you can draw a line from this to Kid A, but that line is not straight. It meanders, curves around, and is more concerned with doing what IT wants to get there. So it’s funny for me to go back and read that this was a controversial release when it first dropped. The sound was so out there at first that the expectations built up from there prior works were absolutely shattered when they released Kid A. The first few tracks of Kid A have a heavy synth focus, which has always been apart of Radioheads sound. But I’ve read Thom Yorke wanted to experiment even further with those sounds than they have before. While the last half of the album trends more towards their more familiar sound. I think that transition is make even more clear where the synth have start includes Thoms vocals being utterly saturated in effects, which helps give the album this alien vibe as it transitions into the more familiar less processed performance. This being also being an example of one of the themes for this album having to do with the idea of cloned person (Kid A being the name of the first human clone/what they named their synthesizer) growing up through the new (2000s) digital age and the sound of the album trying to get that across with the almost unsettling and confused sounds eventually transitioning into something more digestible and comfortable to listen to. I personally enjoy the album experience from front to back and view this as one of those albums that I treat as a wholesale experience more so than tracks I’ll play because I’m looking for something to compliment the vibe. I don’t think Kid A would compliment most vibes in this case lol. However, I do greatly respect when musicians can pull off the curve ball or sudden left turn and come away with a work that even 25 years later is still discussed as one of the more prolific additions to not only rock music, but perhaps music in general. Special reference to the Middle 8 YouTube video on the album.
I’m once again asking the universe to put me in the headspace that makes me pierce the veil that is Radiohead of the early 2000s. I think this album was cool - sonically interesting, extremely well played instrumental, interesting, some would say spooky even vibes. But I keep coming back to this nagging feeling in the back of my mind - I’m not in the headspace to really internalize/receive this album. I wish I could really ride for this (and amnesiac) and scream from the hills why actually it’s a 10/10 but I can’t! The tracks aren’t drawing me into their world the way they should under other circumstances. This is a solid 3/5 with the possibility of being a 5/5 if I my mind was somewhere else.
Took me a while to get this album, but when it clicked it was beautiful and had me sobbing
Just as good as when it was released.
Incredible album from start to finish. My favorites on this one always change, but it's hard not to listen to anything but the whole album. Highlights: currently "Optimistic" and "Idioteque"
really enjoyed most of the stuff here, a few fillers to me bring it down a notch
This was pretty good. Not as good as Amenisac but here we are
I don't get it.
so sad and so good
super interesting and helps me focus during work/ study. Feels like an experimentation album
thom please come back
Mineycrafta First we Kid, then we A
Damn good album, the vibe of it is great. I’m between a 4 and 5, j think if push it up because I go back to listen as it intrigues me. I always feel I find something new
This was the nice kind of weird and out there!
Estuve leyendo las opiniones muy atentamente y concuerdo en que es fantástica la experimentación de nuevos artilugios sonoros, pero Radiohead ha desaparecido o pretende reaparecer y...
Maybe I’m rounding up with this one, it’s probably in my top 4 Radiohead albums and I feel like I need to offset some of the inevitable low scores given to this. Kid A is definitely an album for the headphones and probably one that takes many listens to truly appreciate, and despite it having recently turned 25 years old, I can confidently say I’m still finding new things, and that’s what makes it so remarkable, or indeed, what makes Radiohead so remarkable.
It's fine, I have no issues with it, almost akin to more background noise than anything for me, though.
10/10
I enjoyed OK Computer a bit more, but this is still pretty good! A bit different from most of what I’ve listened to from Radiohead, but the sound is still great. Really enjoyed Idioteque and Everything In Its Right Place in particular.
I also grew up with this album. I'm not always in the mood for Radiohead but I do love their sound and I still listen to their albums regularly.
I tend to think sometimes that my "Radiohead phase" is behind me. I mean for several years they were my north star, my center of gravity. They were the music of my soul. So I'm coming at this with more familiarity than almost any other album on this list. But still, it's been years since I regularly listened to them. I've enjoyed Yorke and Greenwood's The Smile project here and there, and my band plays a few tunes from The Bends, but otherwise I don't dip into the Radiohead pool much anymore. So when I revisited this album in full, I didn't expect it to hit so hard and sink in so deeply. I truly don't think this album is possible to overrate. I mean what else is like it? Albums get compared to it all the time but really only whenever their artist takes a big creative swing, not so much in the actual quality of the music. Because Kid A is both a big creative swing AND a perfect album of perfect songs. I'm struck by how much of my personal taste after "the Radiohead phase" sprang directly from this album. Part of why it surprises me is that I usually fall back on OK Computer (my usual favorite) or In Rainbows if I'm going to listen to Radiohead. Maybe that's because listening to Kid A too much is like staring at the sun too much. Okay, I'm starting to sound pretentious now. This album is one of the best to come out in my lifetime. Must-listen #235.
It was cool
I've spent my whole life not listening to Radiohead. Why? It's not only beautiful, complex, interesting and engaging music, it's also right in my wheelhouse genre-wise. Dynamic, relaxing, iconic with incredible energetic crescendos. At the very least this process has reminded me that Radiohead exist, that OK Computer is actually just the surface and that I'm a fool for not doing more of them. And that's a win in itself. Even better than In Rainbows, looking forward to the next one
Pretty good I guess but I still don’t really get the hype
9/10 Favourite: The National Anthem Least Favourite: None
Perfect album 10/10
It has a wonderful, often cinematic, electronic atmosphere. 'Everything In Its Right Place', 'Motion Picture Soundtrack' and (especially) 'How To Disappear Completely' stand out. Really good throughout but not great, apart from HTDC which is great!
Simultaneously claustrophobic and vast, expansive, cavernous. I don’t think any album has nailed that feeling quite so well as Kid A. In tracks like “The National Anthem”, I feel like the band, the music, and myself, are all stuck in a box only 10 feet high and 10 feet wide, but then moments like “How To Disappear Completely” have me soaring like a bird, casting my eyes down to wise open valleys and rivers (The Liffey?). This album really is an unconventional listen, and you have to brace yourself a little before hitting play, but it always takes you off into it’s world if you give it half the chance. “Kid A”, for example, feels so alien and unfamiliar, and so compelling of that fact. I will be fascinated to hear how some of the tracks are converted into a live setting this November on their 2025 European Tour.
A stunning album and possibly Radiohead’s best. From the very first five notes of Everything In Its Right Place, the mood and tone is set. It locks you into the atmospheric, ambient, emotional experience that is Kid A. This isn’t an album for a sunny day. It evokes feelings of despair, confusion and hopelessness in a measured package of electronic experimentation. A departure from Radiohead’s previous sound, sure - but one that allowed the band to explore their more artistic side like never before. I’ve always said the title track, Kid A, makes me feel a very specific way. Like I’m an alien that’s just woken up on Earth. It’s got that kind of early morning grogginess, but on an existential level. Fascinating. The National Anthem is a Radiohead classic with an awesome repeating bass line. How To Disappear Completely makes you want to float around the room while crying. Treefingers, Motion Picture Soundtrack, and Untitled paint wonderful ambient soundscapes. Optimistic and Morning Bell are brilliant too - the former of which being the only track that really sounds like it could fit on OK Computer or any records the band put out before this. Top tier album. Sometimes I have an itch that only Kid A will scratch. Radiohead London 2025, see you there!
Stone Cold Masterpiece. I don't listen to this nearly enough. Once you hear it, you cannot get it out of your head. Brilliant album.
This is the less interesting counterpart to Ok, Computer. I do appreciate and respect Radiohead and their insightful work, however, this one is harder to get into and appreciate.
One of their best. Do I still need to listen today even though I listen to this all the time?
Perfect Album. No notes. The National Anthem and Motion Picture Soundtrack are favorites.
I didn't really appreciate this album when it came out, thinking it was too weird and not as accessible as "OK Computer." Now, hearing it all these years later, it is an amazing achievement and one of the best headphone albums of all time. The sonic layers and creativity are incredible. There are a lot more hooks and melidicism than I originally thought. These guys were absolutely on and the production from Nigel Godrich is immaculate. An album so ahead of its time that it sounded beamed in from the 25th century. The song "How to Disappear Completely" is sonic and lyrical perfection. And "Optimistic" and "National Anthem" are as rocking as they ever got. I wish I had listened closer when it first came out.
Like a lot of people, I didnt really "get" Kid A when I first heard it. Then around 19 or 20 I started struggling with anxiety and it hit so much harder. This is in a lot of ways, just a soundtrack to mental illness. The National Anthem is panic disorder, How To Disappear is someone experiencing depersonalization, Motion Picture Soundtrack is deep depression. There's a stark and cold beauty to all of these songs; treefingers sounds like an Eno invention, and so many, like Idioteque, have this hypnotic quality. For me The National Anthem is the best here and one of the band's best songs. Everything from the off kilter brass to that driving riff, and the agoraphobic lyrics, just screams disunity and the fabric of any collective reality coming apart at the seams. Fucking relatable and prescient at the turn of the century
Modern, innovative and breathtakingly beautiful. Probably one of their best albums and definitely one of the 2010's best alternative albums.
This album is an interesting experiment in sound, blending electronic and ambient elements that create an incredible atmosphere. But at times, the noise and cool soundscapes can feel a bit dull. It’s not a bad listen, but it definitely requires the right mindset.
radiohead 🫶🫶🫶 trop beau
Great album, peak chill ambience.
loved it
Var säker på att jag inte gillade det här albumet men nu ville det sig
Gillar ett par låtar sen innan, men det var i denna genomlyssning jag faktiskt kände en dörr öppnas till att jag kanske faktiskt tycker om det här bandet. Första låten är fullkomligt fenomenal, o även om allt inte är lika intressant så hålls en hög nivå!
Väldigt unik!
Coolt sound, men inget stack ut jättemycket ändå. Svag 4a.
It’s a toss up between this and In Rainbows for Radiohead’s best album. I think Rainbows takes it but it’s close.
Peaceful and haunting. It gives me a calm sense of nostalgia and transports me back to 2000
Really good overall feeling to the album and very cohesive, every song was great.
10/10 klasyczek
10/10
bardzo fajnie muzycznie, troche za duzo smetnego jeczenia w niektorych kawalkach
Punkty za oryginalne dźwięki, czasem trochę przynudzali ale generalnie dobry album do puszczenia w tle
Didn't enjoy the vibe so much and only really like the songs I knew before hand. Probably need to spend a chunk of time trying to understand the songs to enjoy them more
Distorted.
Good and moody to zone out to
Very polarised views of this on here. Likely because their fans seemingly more than most like to shout just how important and inventive etc etc they are, which then puts everyone else’s back up. Personally don’t think it’s as revolutionary as people make it out to be, ( they changed THEIR sound not THE sound of music), others were doing electronic experimental for years and mixing in with other genres, and without that label what actually is here, an ok moody rock/electro soundscape if you like that. This list and what 4 albums so far by them, I’m just never going to like Radiohead so that’s it for me. Would probably say 2 Star for this one, it’s that turn of the millennium mood noise, everything is so isolating blah blah. But because of the fan base and the over hype, every farting noise is pure genius line, everything is their Magnum opus?? which isn’t possible. Out of boredom by the end and shear bloody mindedness on my part 1 Star.
Great album I love it more each time. Not a 5 to me but close 4.5
I wasn’t big on this one :(
he woke up sucking on a lemon
Liked The bends but this was tedious
Magical, melodic, challenging, obscurantist, cold. I like it but it's like a friend that's really interesting and you have brilliant conversations occasionally but you'd never look to them for help with anything
I'm happy I found this album today and not in my adolescence. Fast forward some cultural experiences and a few music festivals, and we've got the basis for a strong appreciation for the mix of influences that lead up to this project. It starts strong, real strong, I was curious how much I might've loved this album, but that leveled after some intense musical exploration that I believe they refined in the years that come. I still definitely want this record in my collection. It's particularly tasty on a good set of headphones. 4.4/5
95
Always meant to do a deep dive on Radiohead but never did, glad they are showing up on this. I’m not sure what prejudices i had against this one from when it was released but I really thought I’d hate this. Instead it’s a real highlight of the year. A bit sigur Ros a bit silent hill (I’m sure Kid A influenced them both). 4.5 rounded up
Sure it's a downer but it's a really good one. Belongs on the list. Also, way more hooks than one would expect for a capital A "Art" statement.
I just don't like Radiohead, there are like two ok songs here, the rest is just droning and nonsense. Saying that, the two ok songs are still droning and nonsense they just are put together in a more coherent way
My heart skipped a beat when this showed up. Radiohead is my favorite band of all time -- I think their musicianship is just entirely unmatched -- and having listened to their entire, winding discography (and loving basically all of it), Kid A is still one that stands apart and above most. I would give my left nut to go back to Y2K and listen to the first few seconds of this album for the very first time. I imagine already being a fan: loving the alt-rock niche that they had perfected, loving Thom's strange but enticing lyrics, and loving most of all their willingness to push the boundaries. Ok Computer was an indie rock slam dunk. New Radiohead release? Awesome, I can't wait for more. But no. It's something completely, entirely new. It's electronic, it's dark, it's hypnotic, it's confusing, and yet it makes perfect sense. "Everything In Its Right Place" is, without question in my mind, the greatest opening track on any album, ever. "The National Anthem" is scathingly political in a quietly terrifying way. "How to Disappear Completely" may be the most depressing song I can ever remember hearing, because of Radiohead's ability to give sound to that which has long thought been too dark. "Treefingers" is pure hypnosis, "Optimistic" is the most terrifyingly pessimistic song on the album, and the praise goes on and on. It takes a lot of courage for a band to decide that their success is not enough, perhaps not even earned -- that there is more artistry to be discovered if they start from scratch, and dig deeper. So much courage in fact, that I can't even think of another band off the top of my head who did it. But Radiohead did. And they nailed it first try.
One of the greatest albums ever made.
Well, it turns out that most of this album just sounds a bit droney, if that's a real word. Creep is good, but there's too much of the same sort of sound.
Was excited to revisit this one and see how I felt, but unfortunately it was pretty much exactly how I remembered it. Not bad, but definitely not for me.
I wouldn't consider myself a Radiohead fan, but I am familiar with The Bends and OK Computer. This was a new one for me and I enjoyed listening to it. How to Disappear Completely is definitely my favorite. So beautiful and sad.
Didn’t listen. Zionists!
Too 10 Album
I will point to this album anytime i think about what it sounds like to fall just short of a full 5 stars in the context of this list. An impressive first half that mostly loses its edge a bit in the second half. A great opener leaves a strong first impression, and the chunky prog bass on “National Anthem” is just as sticky. This probably isn’t a wildly popular pick, but “Treefingers” is my highlight for making a placid ambient song work perfectly well in the otherwise paranoid, anxious, sad track listing. Lastly, the looping beat on “Idioteque” might be produced to perfection. Really well done. I may have said this about OK Computer, but man this must’ve sounded mind-blowingly futuristic at release. A bit of a shame it putters out towards the end, but a good project through and through.
While I am not a consistent fan of Thom York, I really appreciate his skills with creating a soundscape (especially on tracks like "Motion Picture Soundtrack"). This album twangs a string in my nostalgia guitar but I remember not really caring for it when it came out - too strange for my teenage tastes. But I appreciate more the vision today, as an older, wiser millennial.
Too may beeps and boops.