Kid A - Radiohead
Kid A Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 447 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Seemingly unwilling to stick to a successful formula, Radiohead follow their breakthrough album 'OK Computer' with this much more experimental work (recorded during sessions that also spawned the later-released 'Amnesiac' album), which ventures even further away from conventional song structure and embraces electronica more fully (even sounding at times like Aphex Twin).… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Pitchfork
    100
    Comparing this to other albums is like comparing an aquarium to blue construction paper.... It's the sound of a band, and its leader, losing faith in themselves, destroying themselves, and subsequently rebuilding a perfect entity. In other words, Radiohead hated being Radiohead, but ended up with the most ideal, natural Radiohead record yet.
  2. All Music Guide
    80
    Kid A is easily the most successful electronica album from a rock band -- so much so that it doesn't sound like the work of a rock band, even if it does sound like Radiohead.... Despite its admirable ambition -- ambition that is all the more impressive in 2000, the year when most bands simply stopped trying -- Kid A never is as visionary or stunning as OK Computer, nor does it really repay the intensive time it demands in order for it to sink in.
  3. Select
    60
    Like its most obvious forebear, David Bowie's 'Low,' what's not present is as important as what's actually here. The main absentees, then, are choruses, coherent lyrics, crescendos, and guitars.... But, really, what do you want for sounding like Aphex Twin circa 1993? A medal? [Nov. 2000, p.108]
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  4. Resonance
    30
    A record that might've been amazing if the band had only bothered to write some actual songs. [#28, p. 62]
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See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 199 out of 216
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 216
  3. Negative: 13 out of 216
  1. StJimofSuburbia
    10
    Upon first listen I can see why old school Radiohead fans won't like this album, I didn't either. After a few listens though the album grew on me. Radiohead took a leap of faith here by making an album totally opposite of their past masterpieces (The Bends & OK Computer). This transition kind of reminds me of Dylan going acoustic. His loyal folk fan base was horrified and didn't want anything to do with him after that. Thankfully artists make music for themselves and what that is and what the fans want may be two different things. If artists just stuck to their roots we they would never be able to grow intellectually and musically. Kid A is a fantastic album and is well worthy of all the praise it has and continues to receive and "Everything In It's Right Place" is one of the best songs of all time.… Expand
  2. mrnice
    8
    A strange blockbuster. Like getting a completely new yet intelligent perspective on the world you've come to sense in the same old light. I've always thought that the insecurities and pressure on the band was present beneath the perfect production, and it comes to draw focus from the sharp world-diagnoses Radiohead crafts so well.… Expand
  3. DeezlP
    7
    Hits more often than it misses. The ultimate problem is that it seems to be behind the times- it would have been faintly radical in 1997, quite radical in 1987, and bleedin' amazin' in 1977. On a technological front, the likes of Autechre would destroy them; on the other hand, Autechre don't have a sense of songcraft. Quite often, the lyrics needn't mean anything, because they connect to the music so well, and vise versa. All the same, certain songs- especially "Treefingers"- are clever, but only really drift along on that.… Expand
  4. ChrisR.
    0
    Ha ha! Just kidding! 10/10 If you don't get Radiohead you don't get music.

See all 216 User Reviews

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