Amnesiac
by Radiohead
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2001
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 559 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 528 out of 559
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 559
  3. Negative: 8 out of 559

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. GarethS
    Apr 17, 2006
    10
    It is obvious that reviewers listening to "a record of B sides" have little comprehension of what is truely interesting and intuitive music. I've never heard of a B side anywhere near as listenable to as radioheads work on amnesiac. A genuinly true form of contemporary music whence a pop/rock form, populally listenable to by the general public has been twisted into much more complex It is obvious that reviewers listening to "a record of B sides" have little comprehension of what is truely interesting and intuitive music. I've never heard of a B side anywhere near as listenable to as radioheads work on amnesiac. A genuinly true form of contemporary music whence a pop/rock form, populally listenable to by the general public has been twisted into much more complex architectures drawing on techniques from many influences classical and rock. Sufices to say that this music has not been writen purely to make money off of a niche market of people looking for wacky-wierdness like some so called classically experimental artists. Radiohead transverse the development of pink-folyd in reverse, releasing their "dark side of the moon" in "ok computer" and moving into experimentation and electronics. This album shows a true love of music for music's sake.… Expand
  2. SethA
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    This will always be my favorite Radiohead album. I know it's very easy to misunderstand, but I also think it's some of the most beautiful and haunting music I've ever heard, even the tracks that everyone seems to think should have been left out (Revolving Door, Spinning Plates, Hunting Bears). I think they all add to the mania that the band was attempting to display. This will always be my favorite Radiohead album. I know it's very easy to misunderstand, but I also think it's some of the most beautiful and haunting music I've ever heard, even the tracks that everyone seems to think should have been left out (Revolving Door, Spinning Plates, Hunting Bears). I think they all add to the mania that the band was attempting to display. It's a little crazy...but it's also Radiohead, so that should be expected.… Expand
  3. KellyW
    Apr 30, 2005
    10
    Don't know what all this criticism is about. I really love this record. Only flaw is the poor tracklisting that doesn't flow from song to song.
  4. jwha
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    radiohead rules.
  5. ArthurL
    Jan 26, 2006
    10
    I'm not interested in what critics have to say. I used to be a radiohead listener years ago and had long forgottn about them. I were prejudiced against their later creations but this album is too good to say anything negative about. I'm blown.
  6. StacyH
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    By far the most deep and dark record of Radiohead's. The album's opening tracks are just great, Kives Out is beautiful, and Hunting Bears is surreal.
  7. Nick
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    You and Whose Army is one of the best songs written (not to mention my personal favourite I Might Be Wrong). The flow of this album also contributes to its overall brilliance.
  8. jamesw
    May 20, 2007
    10
    brilliant
  9. RyanJ
    Jun 18, 2007
    10
    One of the most amazing albums ever made. Pyramid Song will continue to haunt for decades.
  10. BobR
    Jul 18, 2007
    10
    don't overlook this album! And yes, You and Whose Army is awesome.
  11. MichaelA
    May 27, 2004
    10
    Only became interested in Radiohead with 'Kid A'. This is even better, still 'Hail to the thief' is their best yet. Reminds me a bit of Neu!, maybe more like Faust, even!
  12. AaronR
    Jul 23, 2004
    10
    Simply the best album I have heard. Everybody who thinks otherwise needs to listen to it under the assumption that it will be good; not under the assumption that it will be shite.
  13. cwilson
    Feb 15, 2005
    10
    Radiohead is one of the best bands ever. They're very experimental, and succeed in what they attempt musically. The songs that drew me in were the ones I first saw the videos to, "Pyramid Song" and "Knives Out". Thom Yorke's gorgeous voice croons out these songs, giving me chills everytime. Amnesiac is one of the best, unique, bohemian albums I've ever had the pleasure to hear.
  14. JR
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    This album is by no means Kid A, but is still an experimental beast. Kid A featured 10 songs that, flowing meliflously from one to the other, acted as one complete masterpiece. However, Amnesiac may lack this flow, but it is still an awesome piece of work in which pretty much every single song is excellent. As an album, it falls short of the ultimate mind-blowing experience that is Kid A; This album is by no means Kid A, but is still an experimental beast. Kid A featured 10 songs that, flowing meliflously from one to the other, acted as one complete masterpiece. However, Amnesiac may lack this flow, but it is still an awesome piece of work in which pretty much every single song is excellent. As an album, it falls short of the ultimate mind-blowing experience that is Kid A; but this inferiority shouldn't create it's dismissal - it is a brilliant piece of work that deserves no less than a mountain of credit.… Expand
  15. dannyb
    Apr 13, 2006
    10
    This was my first Radio Head cd I gave a chance to since Pueblo Honey. And it blew me away. The music is so disjunct in many ways, but it works. These guys are a definite talent. This cd is mixed well too -- with all the electronic elements. Great, Great. real good stuff
  16. EdH
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    An unfairly overlooked album. Had it not been approached on the same terms as Kid A, people would have discovered a very different record, as strong and creative as any Radiohead have put out.
  17. MaxM
    Jun 21, 2007
    10
    I like every song on this album except for the new version of Morning Bells.
  18. RG
    Jan 22, 2007
    10
    after 2 yrs of listening to this i can finally say tihs is equally as good of a record radiohead have put out as others. there is no reason to approach this as a b side album. yes it came out from the same recording session as kid a but it is a completely different album with a completely diff concept. whereas kid was a call to arms of what is coming, amnesiac is the deepest radiohead after 2 yrs of listening to this i can finally say tihs is equally as good of a record radiohead have put out as others. there is no reason to approach this as a b side album. yes it came out from the same recording session as kid a but it is a completely different album with a completely diff concept. whereas kid was a call to arms of what is coming, amnesiac is the deepest radiohead have gotten inside their own souls with this effort to grasp alienation caused by everythng around us. granted thats been their working theme this record has a sublime feeling of just giving up after trying and expecting. the sequencing is almost perfect and the studio wizardry works in everyway to heighten the moods. the immidiacy of the music is somehow fluid and eternal with some haunting concepts of waiting for life to happen, loosing ones past, escaping through doors that are traps, becoming commotodies, inhumanity...the very special morning bells redone is just hauting and tragic. o and on and on...great record… Expand
  19. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 7, 2010
    10
    As great as Kid A is, I belive Thom and Company stepped it up with their follow-up. Rivaling In Rainbows for mesmerizingly beautiful songs, Amnesiac packs quite a punch and, as most Radiohead albums, only improves with each listen.
  20. speedybill47
    Mar 17, 2011
    10
    unlike many of the masses of of the ok computer/bends old schoolers, and the new school In rainbows men, i personally like to think this as their personal best. NO way a high water mark (as this is Radiohead the constant innovators of great music) but this is the album that sort of has the perefect amount of emotion and experimental environments that makes me always want to place this cdunlike many of the masses of of the ok computer/bends old schoolers, and the new school In rainbows men, i personally like to think this as their personal best. NO way a high water mark (as this is Radiohead the constant innovators of great music) but this is the album that sort of has the perefect amount of emotion and experimental environments that makes me always want to place this cd in my car or walk around with in my ipod. My personal favorite Radiohead song pyramid song is prehaps one of the darkest brooding pieces. Complete with Yorke's Dark, possibly suicidal lyrics and extremely well done piano playing with a nervous string arrangement in the background . but it is prehpas the one song even by title you know your'e gonna cry over or have at least gained some heart aching emotion listening to. But every songs worth listening to. Buy this, and while you're at it buy its b sides too you cannot go wrong with any of the outtakes… Expand
  21. theodor
    May 18, 2011
    10
    my favourite of theirs. i find Kid A to just be a mere prelude to this. this seems more developed to me.
    backwards i know, but i do not understand why some consider it below their other albums.
    its certainly not b-sides btw, its equal on par with kid a- even amnesiac's own b-sides are pretty damn good!
  22. MistaDwarfjokes
    Jul 12, 2011
    10
    A work of art, revealing an obscene darkness. I was pleased to hear more piano on this record than we've had in previous Radiohead albums, as well as a wider use of instruments. You and Whose Army is by far the best track on this album for the piano that comes shooting in from nowhere and makes the song transcend. Other particularly commendable tracks include Push/Pulk Revolving Doors (itsA work of art, revealing an obscene darkness. I was pleased to hear more piano on this record than we've had in previous Radiohead albums, as well as a wider use of instruments. You and Whose Army is by far the best track on this album for the piano that comes shooting in from nowhere and makes the song transcend. Other particularly commendable tracks include Push/Pulk Revolving Doors (its incredible atmosphere and haunting lyrics bewildre), I might be wrong (for one of the nastiest riffs I've ever heard) and Morning Bell Amnesiac (for the allusion that people seem to miss: This man has forgotten that he has already made this track, and is now making it again but in a different state of mind.)… Expand
  23. Peebags
    Aug 6, 2011
    10
    Amazingly brilliant, horribly underated.
  24. gideonosphere
    May 14, 2012
    10
    this one caught me off guard back in the day, but it's a real beauty. for those that can't appreciate this, i've got to say that if a band doesn't go to that experimental place, the diamonds that come out afterwards just wouldn't happen (in rainbows, anyone?).
  25. mrjohno
    Jun 3, 2013
    10
    It amazes me how low the scores are for Radiohead albums. Radiohead have some of the most amazing, mind opening music in the world, just listen to pyramid song on this album when you need to think out of the box, and you will see why. It's seven eight timing is unusual and unpredictable which takes the casual listener out of it's comfort zone.

    As with all Radiohead albums, the whole is    It amazes me how low the scores are for Radiohead albums. Radiohead have some of the most amazing, mind opening music in the world, just listen to pyramid song on this album when you need to think out of the box, and you will see why. It's seven eight timing is unusual and unpredictable which takes the casual listener out of it's comfort zone.

    As with all Radiohead albums, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Its clear its not for everyone though, just by some of these reviews. Try hard and you wont be disappointed.    … Expand
  26. Xagent86X
    Nov 17, 2014
    10
    How could they follow up the brilliance and experimentation of Kid A? With more. But this album is far from a B-side collection from Kid A. Amnesiac has it's own feel, it's own place in the discography of the greatest band ever formed.
  27. TimeToRoam
    Jun 7, 2013
    10
    I am not much of a music expert in general, but I've heard Amnesiac enough to know it's an example of quality music. Especially, the breathtaking, mind-blowing I Might Be Wrong proves that Radiohead could never make a bad album. I would choose it over Pablo Honey and its hit-track Creep any time (not that i don't like it, I love pablo honey), just for I Might Be Wrong...
  28. thezhgguy
    Jul 15, 2013
    10
    Although it goes against popular opinion, I firmly believe that Amnesiac is Radiohead's greatest album to date. A serious listen reveals that this is probably their most thoughtfully composed, meaningful and emotional album, with some of the most hauntingly brilliant and beautiful tracks they've ever released.
  29. normankant
    Aug 5, 2014
    10
    Amnesiac is my favorite record from Radiohead.
    It is not made of b-sides of Kid A. I repeat, to all of you that didn't get it yet, it is not made of b-sides of Kid A. To be true, it is a unique album, in the discography of Radiohead, but also in the history of music.
    Melodies are melancholic, sad, elegant, or inexistent. The voice of Yorke is at its edge. Amnesiac is amazing because it    Amnesiac is my favorite record from Radiohead.
    It is not made of b-sides of Kid A. I repeat, to all of you that didn't get it yet, it is not made of b-sides of Kid A. To be true, it is a unique album, in the discography of Radiohead, but also in the history of music.
    Melodies are melancholic, sad, elegant, or inexistent. The voice of Yorke is at its edge.
    Amnesiac is amazing because it alternates absurd experimental tracks to more easy, guitar-driven ones.
    It's a masterpiece.    … Expand
  30. 8-bit-waffle
    May 30, 2016
    10
    This is my favorite album by radio-head. There is so many good songs from I might be wrong and pyramid song. And my favorite knives out is a great song and one of their best.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2001
8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2001
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Spin Cycle
    75
    "Amnesiac" deepens the mystery that Radiohead began with its curious, largely electronic 2000 release, "Kid A," and certainly won't satiate those awaiting the lauded band's supposed return to guitar-heavy epics.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    Either Yorke’s lyrics are better this time, or the comparative voluptuousness of the vocal performances make it easier to tune in, or we’ve finally grasped what he’s been getting at since abandoning OK Computer’s more straightforward man-vs-society musings.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    By the sound of it, Radiohead have strayed off into the same territory Yes did over a quarter century ago -- and two pieces of marginalia in a row don't bode well for the outcome. [8 June 2001, p.72]
See all critic reviews »