Kid A
by Radiohead
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Oct 3, 2000
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1244 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,134 out of 1244
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 1244
  3. Negative: 90 out of 1244

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  1. AlexN
    Jan 19, 2006
    10
    Best. Album. Ever.
  2. GreggS
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    Takes my breath away every time I listen to it. How do you even begin to make an album this spectacular?
  3. BrianL
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Extroardinary. Impossibly beautiful and immensely moving. Reminds me less of rock music then the world's greatest composers: J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven--oh yea--Miles Davis and Charles Mingus as well. One of the greatest albums ever made.
  4. FletcherB
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Why did Primal Scream win by a long shot?
  5. JR
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    Giving this...this erm...this 'experience' (i suppose thats a fairly accurate term) a 10 out of 10 is a bit of an insult...it is more like an 11 or even (maybe) a 12. There are a million different things i could say about why this is such a masterpiece, but each one would just taint it in it's infinite majesty and awe. Said in a different way, words can't descibe Giving this...this erm...this 'experience' (i suppose thats a fairly accurate term) a 10 out of 10 is a bit of an insult...it is more like an 11 or even (maybe) a 12. There are a million different things i could say about why this is such a masterpiece, but each one would just taint it in it's infinite majesty and awe. Said in a different way, words can't descibe it's beauty...so don't get me started.… Expand
  6. Aaron
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    it's my favorite album ever
  7. JamesM
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    Radiohead's best, surpassing OK Computer and The Bends by miles.
  8. LilianP
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    you'd have to like free jazz and modern classical music to like what radiohead did with rock music. it's music not for a commercial audience, but for real lovers of music.
  9. frantisekf
    Dec 22, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums i´ve ever heard. EIIRP: 10/10 Kid A: 22(!)/10 The National Anthem: 9/10 HTDC: 9/10 Treefingers: 8/10 Optimistic: 5/10 In Limbo: 7/10 Idioteque: 10/10 Morning Bell: 10/10 MPS: 10/10
  10. KeilS
    Dec 7, 2005
    9
    As beautiful, jarring, ultimately comforting experience. Subdued revolution at its finest.
  11. MEdwardson
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    Greatest Album ever? In my opinion, possibly! However like good wine of cheese is definately an aquired taste, so not for everyone. So if you like Pink Floyd, The Pixies, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, The Smiths and later Beatles albums then give this a listen, however if you like Britney, Blink 182 or any other artist or group that makes it on to MTV 1 then avoid, it will only confuse and frustrate you!
  12. MHarris
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    This album is more than just music. It is a visceral experience.
  13. MattJ
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    Some people didn't get this album simply because they weren't ready for it. This album is absolutely timeless; it did the same thing for music as stravinsky did with the rite of spring, or miles davis with bitches brew. This album is THAT significant. It's a great headphones album while lying in bed, check it out in a very comfortable, alone, place. =D
  14. AlbertoM
    Aug 16, 2005
    8
    Great record, though I prefer Bends, Computer and Hail first...
  15. JimC
    Aug 8, 2005
    10
    This is the most important album of our generation, hands down. Radiohead, moving from a mostly unremarkable alt. rock band on Pablo Honey to a positive force in a hackneyed genre with The Bends and OK Computer, have singlehandedly redefined the landscape of marketable, and even remarkable music. This is an undeniably amazing album from a band who deserves every accolade that's been This is the most important album of our generation, hands down. Radiohead, moving from a mostly unremarkable alt. rock band on Pablo Honey to a positive force in a hackneyed genre with The Bends and OK Computer, have singlehandedly redefined the landscape of marketable, and even remarkable music. This is an undeniably amazing album from a band who deserves every accolade that's been heaped on them.… Expand
  16. SpeedyD
    Jul 20, 2005
    10
    Kid A is one of the best albums of year 2000. My friend MCZ says: "This is best album of history." - I don´t think so, but it´s very good... magic.
  17. DylanP
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    Like many people have mentioned, it takes multiple listens to fully appreciate the brilliance of this album. In my opinion it's Radioheads best and most daring album to date.
  18. TimS
    Jul 4, 2005
    10
    It's 2am and you're laying in bed alone. You surrounded by complete darkness: no street lights, no moonlight. You press play on your CD player and the first notes of 'Everything In The Right Place' begins. It's ethereal; it's beguiling; it's frightening. An album of contradictions: it perfectly captures the mood of the turn of the century. You can not do It's 2am and you're laying in bed alone. You surrounded by complete darkness: no street lights, no moonlight. You press play on your CD player and the first notes of 'Everything In The Right Place' begins. It's ethereal; it's beguiling; it's frightening. An album of contradictions: it perfectly captures the mood of the turn of the century. You can not do without it.… Expand
  19. BillK.
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    I feel sorry for you if your brain isn't able to comprehend the beauty of this record.
  20. PaulW
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    Great Album from a truly great band
  21. Uhhuhhim
    May 30, 2005
    10
    Resonance - A magazine that might've been amazing if the writers had only bothered to write some actual reviews.
  22. KellyW
    Apr 30, 2005
    10
    Radiohead's best album to date and my favorite album ever.
  23. RobertK
    Apr 23, 2005
    10
    great, non-commercial album
  24. Éamann
    Apr 19, 2005
    9
    Stunningly beautiful. They have an incredible ability to come up with lovely tunes. Their best album.
  25. jamesc
    Mar 15, 2005
    7
    this album is symptomatic of post 'ok computer' radiohead. the stuff thats good is fantastic (everything in its right place, optomistic) and whats bad is rubbish (kid a, treefingers). overall i would say its one half genius, one half muck but the genius half alone makes it worth the effort.
  26. eatitfatboy
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    Radioheads best album
  27. davidc
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    class album, radiohead the finest of the last 15 years.
  28. vb
    Aug 6, 2004
    10
    This was the first radiohead album I heard back in 2000, and I certainly enjoyed it at the time and listened to it a good deal. Since then, I've listened to the rest of radiohead's work and over 300 other albums from the 90s, 80s, 70s and a few from the 60s that I would consider good music (i.e. not manufactured formula-rock/teen-angst nonsense). Recently, I threw this in my CD This was the first radiohead album I heard back in 2000, and I certainly enjoyed it at the time and listened to it a good deal. Since then, I've listened to the rest of radiohead's work and over 300 other albums from the 90s, 80s, 70s and a few from the 60s that I would consider good music (i.e. not manufactured formula-rock/teen-angst nonsense). Recently, I threw this in my CD player after having not listened to radiohead for about a year. Now you'll have to forgive me for gushing a little bit, even if I'm not as eloquent as a rock critic. It knocked me squarely on my ass, to be blunt. I heard so many aspects I never could have considered before, and the realization of the overall artistic depth here gave me goosebumps. To put it simply, I was enjoying the album on a entirely different level than I had 3 years prior. On one point from the pitchfork review I couldn't agree more: this album makes ordinary "rock and roll" childish. Art; utter genius from start to finish; masterpiece. One for the time capsule indeed. Like anyone, my musical tastes change over time, but after 3 years of hindsight and having sampled a great deal of rock with varying levels of artistic merit, emotional potency, songcraft and sheer beauty, (e.g. talking heads, olivia tremor control, talk talk, my bloody valentine, pavement, yo la tengo, can) I can't help but declare it flat-out: Kid A is the greatest album I've ever heard. I have a feeling it will stay that way for quite some time.… Expand
  29. NathanU
    Jul 29, 2004
    10
    Radiohead is the only band I know of playing on a completely different realm than everyone else. KID A is like something out of a dream. You are taken to corners of your mind you never knew existed. I want to say this is the "Sgt Pepper" of modern times, but Ifeel this band has it in them to make something even better that will stomp on the heart of what we perceive as music. If you like Radiohead is the only band I know of playing on a completely different realm than everyone else. KID A is like something out of a dream. You are taken to corners of your mind you never knew existed. I want to say this is the "Sgt Pepper" of modern times, but Ifeel this band has it in them to make something even better that will stomp on the heart of what we perceive as music. If you like "DAVE", you are not worthy of listening to KID A. … Expand
  30. RameezA
    Jul 29, 2004
    10
    Very nice album, one of the reviews summed it up perfectly: you have to listen to it all the way through, and you will find something beautiful. For those of you complaining about no actual songs, what would you call number 1, 6, 8, 4, 9, and 10. All have melodies (although ten almost has no beat, but still is my favorite song). As for the remark Kiwi made about no one listening to the Very nice album, one of the reviews summed it up perfectly: you have to listen to it all the way through, and you will find something beautiful. For those of you complaining about no actual songs, what would you call number 1, 6, 8, 4, 9, and 10. All have melodies (although ten almost has no beat, but still is my favorite song). As for the remark Kiwi made about no one listening to the album I'm sure is very accurate, since I'm sure she's talked to all of the millions of Radiohead fans. … Expand
  31. boboJ
    Jul 7, 2004
    9
    i dont like the album as much as my review implies. when it comes to my enjoyment its a 7, but kid a is so impressive its a 9 and as time passes will probly end up as a 10. that being said, its much easier to repspect than love. much.
  32. christophes
    Jun 25, 2004
    10
    Now that a few years and some passions passed, that you listened to the new sound of Radiohead, please listen this album once again, in entirety, without passing from one track to the other (it is a masterwork, an entity, not a succession of titles). Then! it is still not one of best the album of all times?
  33. pierram
    Jun 14, 2004
    10
    One of the most intricately beutiful and shocking albums your ever likely to hear. Its better then just music, it makes music seem silly and childish, the masterpeice of the best band who have ever recorded a sound
  34. KeithE
    Apr 30, 2004
    10
    Kid A is a masterpiece that pushes the envelope of OK computer even further. Considering the fact that OK computer was an experimental album that received critical acclaim, some people are being overly harsh towards Radiohead for being creative. Go listen to your mainstream music, and let me bask in the glory that is originality. I love Radiohead, and will continue to support them. Good job boys.
  35. Elliott
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece among masterpieces. This one is for the time capsule. Truly one of the best albums every crafted. The Pitchfork review is beautiful, and dead-on.
  36. alfonsof
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    they remind me of the beatles...
  37. Maxx
    Feb 3, 2004
    10
    Kid A is a masterpiece. I rank it high up alongside Dark Side of the Moon as one of the best albums I've ever heard.
  38. ZohaibA
    Jan 24, 2004
    10
    This CD is good to listen in the car loud.
  39. J.Knox
    Nov 8, 2003
    10
    I am not a writer but this album is brilliant....see Pitchfork's review
  40. Kid
    Sep 15, 2003
    8
    Kid A is not a msterpiece, for it is far too many flaws and several poor songs. But it is extremely innovative; I never had heard anything like it when I picked it up and haven't heard anyting similar since. Impatient listeners beware: you need to listen to this at least twice befote you start enjoying it. An album that seems to get better with each play.
  41. chris
    Jul 25, 2003
    10
    I would give this album an 11 if i could. If you do not understand kid A you might as well stop listening to music altogether. you lameoids who gave this album a bad rating sholuld perish in one of Dante's concentric circles of hell that Thome Yorke so emotionally transends to us in his flawless and dominating voice. Why don't you invalids go off on an island somewhere with your I would give this album an 11 if i could. If you do not understand kid A you might as well stop listening to music altogether. you lameoids who gave this album a bad rating sholuld perish in one of Dante's concentric circles of hell that Thome Yorke so emotionally transends to us in his flawless and dominating voice. Why don't you invalids go off on an island somewhere with your Ben Kweller and O.A.R. cd's and leave the rest of us alone. Be sure to bring a t.v. because i know you can't miss American Idol.… Expand
  42. ChrisH
    Jul 6, 2003
    10
    undeniably beautiful, and after 50 listens, it seems even better
  43. personhi
    Jun 10, 2003
    10
    Flawless. I've listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. Radioheads best album. Every song has beautiful vocals and perfectly anomous vocals. People need to grow up and accept music that isn't mainstream and guitar based. "How to Disappear Completely" is the "A Day in the Life" of today.
  44. GauravG
    Dec 24, 2002
    10
    A masterpiece. The only album I still listen to constantly 2 years later in 2002. Radiohead has taken the otherworldly sounds of Aphex Twin & Autechre and made it slightly more accessible. And what other major band has taken a risk like this? U2? The Beatles? That's good company if you ask me.
  45. IgorC.
    Sep 2, 2002
    10
    one of the best alternative album. very experimental.
  46. RyanT.
    Jul 18, 2002
    9
    Though not as good as the masterpiece OK Computer. This album is innovative and very experimental. Most of the songs are mindblowing besides a few filler songs such as Treefingers. Listen to this album with a open mind.
  47. PatrickK.
    Dec 22, 2001
    9
    This album is quite good, but it is nothing special. So a major-label band actually shows some originality and intelligence... big deal. There is plenty of music more "daring" and mind-fucking than Kid A; it just doesn't get played on MTV. Their lyrics are nothing groundbreaking either, basically just rehashed Marxism with an obscurantist twist. Capitalism and technology alienate This album is quite good, but it is nothing special. So a major-label band actually shows some originality and intelligence... big deal. There is plenty of music more "daring" and mind-fucking than Kid A; it just doesn't get played on MTV. Their lyrics are nothing groundbreaking either, basically just rehashed Marxism with an obscurantist twist. Capitalism and technology alienate us?? No shit.. So I must agree in part with the all the reviewers sucking Radioheads's collective dick.. Kid A shows some originality and intelligence, something all too rare in the wanker-filled world of rock'n'roll. But they do not deserve the fawning acclaim and cultish following they enjoy, which I venture is due more to EMI's advertising budget than anything else.… Expand
  48. JasonB.
    Oct 22, 2001
    10
    This, is in my opinion, one of the greatest cds of all time. The group gos through unconvential methods to create mood. Some say a lack of obvious lyrical intentions hurt the music but when is music just about lyrics. 95% of bands out there today have nothing new to say and if put in persective really dont make to much sense either
  49. GaryT.
    Aug 27, 2001
    10
    This is an absolutely fantastic album, from the synthesizer/electronically-filtered voicings of 'Everything in its Right Place' to 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'- this album is such a deviation from the norm pop culture crap, and it is the best album ive heard in years. The way the songs flow into one another as 'Idioteque' does to 'Morning Bell' (my This is an absolutely fantastic album, from the synthesizer/electronically-filtered voicings of 'Everything in its Right Place' to 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'- this album is such a deviation from the norm pop culture crap, and it is the best album ive heard in years. The way the songs flow into one another as 'Idioteque' does to 'Morning Bell' (my favorite song on the album), makes it an unforgettable, immersing experience. They should have an 11 rating just for this.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Album of 2000
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2000
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic 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.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    90
    Radiohead have completely immersed themselves in the studio-as-instrument--signal processing, radical stereo separation, and other antinaturalistic techniques. Even the precious Guitars--saturated with effects and gaseous with sustain--resemble natural phenomena rather than power chords or lead lines. Essentially, this is a post-rock record.... Kid A is not only Radiohead's bravest album but its best one as well. [Oct 2000, p.172]
  3. Ink Blot Magazine
    80
    For an album that apparently grew out of the band trying to get away from melody, there's a lot of it here. They can't help themselves. They try to do a song with a robotic dance beat, load it up with bleak phrases like "laughing till my head comes off" and "take the money and run" and "this is really happening," call it "Idioteque" for chrissake, and what stands out are not the beat and not the phrases or the apparent concept of dance music being silly when horrible things are happening in the world, but the seven or eight different heartwrenching vocal lines and the amazing way they intertwine.
    Read full review
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