A Light for Attracting Attention
by The Smile
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 107
  3. Negative: 4 out of 107
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  1. Sonnyperla
    May 15, 2022
    10
    Long time Radiohead fan and I must say this is on par with most of their catalogue. Highlights are definitely the smoke, speech bubbles, thin thing, open the floodgates and skrting on the surface, but best song goes to free in the knowledge. Thom and Johnny are two of the best musicians of all time and their creativity is timeless. Skinner’s drumming brings another dimension to theirLong time Radiohead fan and I must say this is on par with most of their catalogue. Highlights are definitely the smoke, speech bubbles, thin thing, open the floodgates and skrting on the surface, but best song goes to free in the knowledge. Thom and Johnny are two of the best musicians of all time and their creativity is timeless. Skinner’s drumming brings another dimension to their creativity. One of the best releases in a while.… Expand
  2. Eggs
    May 16, 2022
    9
    After hearing the live versions of these songs I was just grateful that Jonny and Thom were able to come together and have fun collaborating again with so much passion, creativity and energy. Now, listening to the recorded version, I’m reminded that Nigel Godrich is that extra element that always ties the genius’ together. Tom Skinner also holds his own amongst the highly esteemed companyAfter hearing the live versions of these songs I was just grateful that Jonny and Thom were able to come together and have fun collaborating again with so much passion, creativity and energy. Now, listening to the recorded version, I’m reminded that Nigel Godrich is that extra element that always ties the genius’ together. Tom Skinner also holds his own amongst the highly esteemed company he keeps. There is haunting beauty, political cynicisms, electronic and percussive tinkering, and garage rocking, making it a very eclectic mix. Does it make it a less than cohesive album? Maybe, if you’re picky. This and the fact that 6 songs were drip-fed to us prior to release make it have the feel of a compilation album in some respects. I’ve always preferred an album have one single prior to release, as a taster, before immersing yourself into the full experience of fresh songs and letting that album experience grow on you with repeated listens. This doesn’t detract, however, from the fact that there is a collection of songs here that are all absolute crackers and will keep Radiohead fans content for a while longer until that deeply desired next LP comes around.… Expand
  3. LUISBENAVIDES
    May 13, 2022
    10
    it will always amaze me how at their 50s they are still hungry and willing to create music this good. incredible album
  4. Prosmooth
    May 13, 2022
    10
    Listened to it all day yesterday. No mid tracks. Best Radiohead side project since Thom's first solo album. Being honest, and with no disrespect intended to the other band members not involved in this, it sounds like a Radiohead album.
  5. Patribateman
    May 13, 2022
    10
    When they started to release material and did a live concert I wasn't completely surprised, my expectations were that it was going to be an "AMOK" or "THE KING OF LIMBS", but when I heard it I was speechless, it exceeded my expectations.
  6. All_ButTrU4
    May 13, 2022
    6
    Not too great but not memorable either. This radiohead offshoot os stronger than radiohead slump years (king of limbs/hail to the thief) it howeber feels formulaic.
  7. bertobellamy
    May 13, 2022
    8
    This is great! Despite everything that was said, this is indeed a rock record, and a very upbeat one sometimes. This is the best Radiohead-related project ever. Can't wait to hear these songs live!
  8. russianvoodoo
    May 15, 2022
    3
    It's just bad and annoying. It's the same patterns, same guitars, same chords. But it doesn't have a core.
  9. Davidwv97
    May 13, 2022
    10
    Perfect. Great production, brilliant songs from some of the best musicians of the last 30 years.
  10. pistatok
    May 13, 2022
    6
    WTF, no just eyes and mouth??? Best song of the bunch from the livestreams for me. I am disappointed in you Mr Yorke and will express my hurt by bringing your average metacritic score down. Now sing me a song about being petty
  11. rudsat
    May 13, 2022
    10
    Just amazing! As good as AMSP and HTTT, it could be easily a Radiohead album.
  12. Slowave
    May 16, 2022
    8
    Based on the early release of some of the tracks, I was kind of ready to crap on this a bit. But a good pair of headphones and repeated listens tells me I was wrong. This has been my experience with most of Radiohead's work post OK Computer, and not all of it has stuck with me. But a lot of it eventually does and I'd say a lot of The Smile is even a bit more accessible, and miles betterBased on the early release of some of the tracks, I was kind of ready to crap on this a bit. But a good pair of headphones and repeated listens tells me I was wrong. This has been my experience with most of Radiohead's work post OK Computer, and not all of it has stuck with me. But a lot of it eventually does and I'd say a lot of The Smile is even a bit more accessible, and miles better than 90% of Thome's solo stuff or other projects. There's nothing "new" here but I won't call it Diet Radiohead despite only being three members. I dig it, and may end up listening to this more than even a Moon Shaped Pool. It's a bit of an appetizer sampler for everything post OK Computer and there's some great moments that continue to unlock understanding even if your ear needs a few listens to get past the "anti-melody" vibe that Thom and Johnny often seem to be thrusting on the listener at first. There's a melody in there, but it isn't the one you are begging them for as fan service. And yet, it is fan service to an extent. Great album that suprised me.… Expand
  13. DiscoNesi
    Jul 20, 2022
    9
    It is exactly what you'd think...A blend of some Thom solo work and songs that should be on a Radiohead album, but unfortunately that band no longer exists :(
    The only reason it gets a 9 is that some of the songs could have been worked out and deeper had the whole crew been there.
    Can't wait to see them live!
    No way there are 15 better albums this year Meta.
  14. cristianlucaciu
    Aug 28, 2022
    10
    Not for too many words and in the same matter a true healer for this world.
  15. lshelton
    May 14, 2022
    10
    Very good set of songs, especially "Open the Floodgates". The background music gave me the visual of bubbles floating in the wind on a spring day. Thin Thing gets your mind racing. Thom Yorke's voice is as good or better than any musical instrument. One can tell that these songs were written during pandemic isolation.
  16. androcchio
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    This is the best album of the year without any doubt. And if not the most original one. Thom Yorke is play with music like just a artist can do. Beautiful.
  17. arcticspill
    May 18, 2022
    9
    The best Radiohead-adjacent project thus far. Of course it sort of sounds like Radiohead, but that's really not an issue considering they're not making music currently. This album is fantastic. The two older songs here (Open the Floodgates and Skrting) are special and highlights here. Free in the Knowledge is a gorgeous song, and the production is beautiful. Speech Bubbles may be myThe best Radiohead-adjacent project thus far. Of course it sort of sounds like Radiohead, but that's really not an issue considering they're not making music currently. This album is fantastic. The two older songs here (Open the Floodgates and Skrting) are special and highlights here. Free in the Knowledge is a gorgeous song, and the production is beautiful. Speech Bubbles may be my favourite Thom song since Reckoner. I think the album is slightly bloated, and I won't ever understand the omission of Just Eyes & Mouth, but the album as a whole makes up for it.… Expand
  18. NotEdmundLeach
    May 28, 2022
    9
    So many interlocutors and inspirations. So mature and alive. A beautiful record and joyous collaboration that deserves multiple listenings. Not ground-breaking, a masterclass.
  19. Haspadar
    Jun 19, 2022
    7
    Radiohead Tom Yorke's side project.
    Very strange and unusual.
    Very nice touch.
  20. froggychair
    Oct 16, 2022
    10
    An excellent album for those who enjoy Radiohead-ish tunes… especially if you love The King of Limbs and Hail to the Thief
  21. theantogonist
    May 17, 2023
    9
    Wonderful work that recalls the best atmospheric Radiohead records. The worst: is too short.
    The best parts are "The Smoke" and "Free in the knowledge"

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Album of 2022
45
#45 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 30, 2022
    80
    “Free In The Knowledge” is a truly heavenly ballad in the mold of “True Love Waits” or even “Fake Plastic Trees”, with a call of togetherness (‘’but if we’re together/well then, who knows?’’) that offers an unexpectedly moving breather from the angst in abundance elsewhere, as well as proving that Yorke can out-emote the legions of lesser songwriters watering down the formative Radiohead formula when it comes to warily optimistic heartache-meets-hope.
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  2. Record Collector
    Jun 20, 2022
    80
    Far more than an indulgent side project, A Light For Attracting Attention deserves to be taken on its own merits as a daring, invigorating and often very moving piece of work in its own right.
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  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 17, 2022
    80
    A handful sprawl and meander a little because, hey, who would dare edit two revered avant-rock overlords? But otherwise quality levels are reliably high. ... This is the best Radiohead album in over a decade.
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