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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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?
  5. 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
  6. 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!
  7. 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
  8. davidc
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    class album, radiohead the finest of the last 15 years.
  9. eatitfatboy
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    Radioheads best album
  10. Éamann
    Apr 19, 2005
    9
    Stunningly beautiful. They have an incredible ability to come up with lovely tunes. Their best album.
  11. AlbertoM
    Aug 16, 2005
    8
    Great record, though I prefer Bends, Computer and Hail first...
  12. 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
  13. GraemeC
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    This is the best album in the history of mankind. Every song on this album deserves it's own 500 word essay, but I believe "Motion Picture Soundtrack" stands out the most of all the songs. Its minimalist silece in the middle is so amazing to listen to. Radiohead is genius.
  14. 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?
  15. 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
  16. FletcherB
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Why did Primal Scream win by a long shot?
  17. Ben
    Mar 10, 2006
    10
    79?!?! what a disgrace this may be possibly one of my favourite albums of all time. Its albilty to communicate wiht me than no other albums if this album gets 79 then that is like giving revolver or dark side of the moon 79.
  18. krakensid
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    i didn't think they could go any further. i was proved very wrong.
  19. Mr.Beast
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    You can't 'Rate' this thing. It is insane. It makes other stuff sound shallow and unsophisticated. It takes 'The Top 100 Albums Of All Time' and thrusts it to one side, maybe entering it at an easy Rank 0.
  20. Poppy
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    The best
  21. -Blank-
    Mar 24, 2006
    10
    10 doesnt even seem to give this album a sufficient rating. !
  22. LachlanW
    Apr 5, 2006
    10
    One of the best CDs of all time. Not as good as OK Computer, but nothing is.
  23. MacarionMacarion
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    The reviewers who gave this less than a 10 do not understand the point of music. I have no idea why this is rated lower than Hail to the Thief, although both are great.
  24. SteveF
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Amazing record, nothing short of genious
  25. Drew
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Amazing how this release polarizes Radiohead fans. I "liked" OK Computer, but Kid A wasn't something that you can compare to other releases...even by Radiohead. It is something that is in it's own space and time. If you are looking for these guys to "rock", don't bother. Listen to this with open ears, and you will be amazed. For those who like to be challenged by music.
  26. MorrisL
    Jul 23, 2006
    9
    Buying this album is like making an investment. I got it on its release, and listened to it twice before putting it away in repulsion. Then, about three YEARS later, I pick it up and play it through, and found three or four gems amidst a lot of truly terrible songs. But, all the same, when it shimmers, the beauty leaves you breathless, and there's enough shimmer to make it worth your Buying this album is like making an investment. I got it on its release, and listened to it twice before putting it away in repulsion. Then, about three YEARS later, I pick it up and play it through, and found three or four gems amidst a lot of truly terrible songs. But, all the same, when it shimmers, the beauty leaves you breathless, and there's enough shimmer to make it worth your money. But remember, you're buying future enjoyment, and present hatred.… Expand
  27. Andy
    Aug 22, 2006
    7
    Some memorable tracks but not as important as OK Computer or the Bends.
  28. Poppy
    Aug 25, 2006
    10
    The best
  29. Capu
    Sep 13, 2006
    8
    dont even try to think about ok computer when listening to this album.... just sit back and listen to a band who know they're making something amazing, without sticking to anyone's boundaries... not absolutely fantastic, a couple of tracks stretch the avant-gardeness a lil too far (treefingers, kid a and the last three minutes of motion picture soundtrack im looking at you...) dont even try to think about ok computer when listening to this album.... just sit back and listen to a band who know they're making something amazing, without sticking to anyone's boundaries... not absolutely fantastic, a couple of tracks stretch the avant-gardeness a lil too far (treefingers, kid a and the last three minutes of motion picture soundtrack im looking at you...) but this is made up in spades by other tracks. this is not what the industry would have wanted from one of the worlds biggest bands... but who cares??? cos radiohead certainly dont...… Expand
  30. DaveN
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    Radiohead's first electronica CD is absolutely brilliant. Spawned by their discovery of Sigur Ros, Radiohead decided to become even more unique than they already were. This isn't as good as The Bends or Ok Computer, but any fan of electronica music or Radiohead in general should check this out.
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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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