The Eraser
by Thom Yorke
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jul 11, 2006
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 219 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 188 out of 219
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 219
  3. Negative: 8 out of 219

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  1. bernlin2000
    Oct 5, 2010
    5
    The album harkens back to some of the mediocre songs on Radiohead's "Hail to the Thief", like "The Gloaming". What this album does is take melodies and lyrics that are quite beautiful and buries them underneath layers of digital synthesizers, which don't serve the songs well. I heard songs like "The Eraser", "Black Swan", and especially "Atoms for Peace" live, and they were absolutelyThe album harkens back to some of the mediocre songs on Radiohead's "Hail to the Thief", like "The Gloaming". What this album does is take melodies and lyrics that are quite beautiful and buries them underneath layers of digital synthesizers, which don't serve the songs well. I heard songs like "The Eraser", "Black Swan", and especially "Atoms for Peace" live, and they were absolutely gorgeous. They also sounded nothing like the album versions (being driven more acoustically). Harrowdown Hill stands out as a song that mostly made it through the digital obfuscation, but this would have been a much better album if the songs had been left alone, without adding all the extra loops. I loved Kid A, but Yorke has distanced the music so far from its heart on this album that everything is too abstract for me to love.… Expand
  2. DavidB
    Jul 10, 2006
    6
    Lets be realistic here. Its seems that metacritic users have a tendancy to rate things with either a "10" or a "1", however the numbers in between these are very important and seem to be quite neglected. This sometimes leads to mediocre albums being ranked at say "9.3". For all Radiohead fans here, if you were to give Kid A or OKC say, a "10" - does this mean that The Eraser is every bit Lets be realistic here. Its seems that metacritic users have a tendancy to rate things with either a "10" or a "1", however the numbers in between these are very important and seem to be quite neglected. This sometimes leads to mediocre albums being ranked at say "9.3". For all Radiohead fans here, if you were to give Kid A or OKC say, a "10" - does this mean that The Eraser is every bit as good as those albums? Some of you might even think so, but for those of you who would answer no to this question- please use common sense and use the 1-10 rating system like it was ment to be used. I realize I should probably be taking this time to write an actual review about this album, but I felt this needed to be said.… Expand
  3. jjp
    Sep 8, 2006
    4
    i loved kid a, etc... this album is boring. it did nothing to me.
  4. JeffW
    Jul 12, 2006
    4
    Why are people comparing this to Kid A? Radiohead has been my favorite band since OK, but this is self-indulgent audio Nyquil. If you are having problems sleeping, buy this album! The title track and Harrowdownhill seem cool on the first listen, but this CD is just boring. I can
  5. javierM
    Aug 30, 2006
    6
    Pretty similar to KID A, not bad but a guy like u should move forward...Experimentation is not the word in this case. Its ´just cut and paste from KID A. Next time be more original THOM!
  6. DavidA
    Jul 12, 2006
    6
    It's no radiohead, but it's not bad.
  7. jonnyr
    Jul 12, 2006
    6
    Good...but a bit over-hyped. To me it lacks the depth and energy of a true Radiohead album. I don't think we will be talking much about this album in 10 years, yet this is a nice filler until the next Radiohead record comes.
  8. DrewK
    Jul 12, 2006
    5
    The worst thing Yorke has done since Pablo Honey. It really sounds like b-sides from the Backdrifts and The Gloaming recording sessions. While not terrible, it really doesn't have any memorable moments. It's background music for Sunday morning reading.
  9. dan
    Jul 17, 2006
    5
    "I'm sure Thom would make amazing music on his own," said Ed O'Brien once. "But we give him the soul." He's been proved right three times over now: just like Kid A and Amnesiac, Yorke's first two solo albums, The Eraser is frequently brilliant, but, for anyone who remembers the overwhelming singalong glory of The Bends and OK Computer, it looks like a waste of maybe "I'm sure Thom would make amazing music on his own," said Ed O'Brien once. "But we give him the soul." He's been proved right three times over now: just like Kid A and Amnesiac, Yorke's first two solo albums, The Eraser is frequently brilliant, but, for anyone who remembers the overwhelming singalong glory of The Bends and OK Computer, it looks like a waste of maybe the most talented individual rock music has ever produced. Remember: being interesting doesn't mean being emotionless.… Expand
  10. BobbyH
    Jul 24, 2006
    6
    There are some good songs here, and Thom's voice is stronger than ever, but the initial feeling that this album is impenetrable never really goes away. There is a lack of substance behind a number of the songs, many of which just seem to repeat an electronic riff until it's time to fade. I also heard a number of moments throughout the album that sound a lot like songs There are some good songs here, and Thom's voice is stronger than ever, but the initial feeling that this album is impenetrable never really goes away. There is a lack of substance behind a number of the songs, many of which just seem to repeat an electronic riff until it's time to fade. I also heard a number of moments throughout the album that sound a lot like songs regurgitated from Kid A and Hail to the Thief. Another problem is the relentless negative tone of the album. This would really have been better balnaced with some songs offering a glimmer of hope or meaning. Overall this is well worth a listen. However, there is nothing new or startling on here. This album has already been made much better- Digital Ash... by Bright Eyes. I think anybody comparing these albums now would find the earlier effort a better balanced and more rewarding listen.… Expand
  11. AkseliK
    Jul 24, 2006
    6
    kid b
  12. ErikH
    Sep 9, 2007
    6
    This album really isn't that good. Thom Yorke is not strong enough to carry an album without his bandmates. CMG nailed it when they wrote simply "The Eraser is not Radiohead good."
  13. MattD.
    Jul 11, 2006
    6
    To me, The Eraser has neither the wondrous experimentation of Kid A or as strong a song structures as found on OK Computer. That said, it would be hard for a Radiohead fan to dislike this CD. I just think he can do better with the band.
  14. PhilipL
    Jul 16, 2006
    6
    I don't understand why people are comparing this album to Kid A. They sound nothing alike, and Kid A is on a completely different level. As difficult as it is to do, The Eraser should be analyzed and appreciated separately from Radiohead albums. That being said, the album has it's moments, but ultimately sounds like it was made very hastily. Basically, it's alright.
  15. TchsatoriS
    Jul 23, 2006
    6
    This sounds like thom trying to do a lo-fi radiohead cover, someone put a quote in here about the band saying they carry the 'soul' of radiohead's music and I must agree this album lacks soul, and depth...
  16. porkskateborde
    Jan 25, 2007
    6
    a pretty good record and nothing more. i expected it to be better. but we still get "the clock," "and it rained...," "atoms for peace," "the eraser" - all very good songs. it's certainly not kid a 2, though, so let's go ahead and stop with that.
  17. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    5
    This solo debut by Thom Yorke is a collection of songs that are bits and pieces mostly dating back a number of years. Radiohead is arguably the greatest band of the late twentieth century, so any album by it's lead singer is likely to gain critical interest and sales from fans. I imagine any good songs Thom Yorke has written will end up on the next Radiohead LP, rather than on this This solo debut by Thom Yorke is a collection of songs that are bits and pieces mostly dating back a number of years. Radiohead is arguably the greatest band of the late twentieth century, so any album by it's lead singer is likely to gain critical interest and sales from fans. I imagine any good songs Thom Yorke has written will end up on the next Radiohead LP, rather than on this solo adventure, which stikes me as more an experiment for Yorke. Good for him.… Expand
  18. themoza
    Dec 15, 2010
    6
    One word, Black Swan. This one song is a gleaming triumph in a field of techno experimental electronic beats. I am a huge Radiohead fan but Thom Yorke's latest effort only produces one great song, but its so good it brings the whole album up to a six where it would have been a five without it. In fact, don't buy the album, just go on YouTube and listen to Black Swan, but unless you are aOne word, Black Swan. This one song is a gleaming triumph in a field of techno experimental electronic beats. I am a huge Radiohead fan but Thom Yorke's latest effort only produces one great song, but its so good it brings the whole album up to a six where it would have been a five without it. In fact, don't buy the album, just go on YouTube and listen to Black Swan, but unless you are a fan of techno, steer clear of this album.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2006
44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Prefix Magazine
    90
    What makes it breathe, what allows it to flourish above its glitchy techno, its processed wizardry... what untangles it from a mess of circuitry and power strips and anti-virus pop-up warnings, is Yorke's incredible, distinctive voice.
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  2. Stylus Magazine
    91
    The Eraser is a triumph.
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  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    Nigel's production and arrangements leave very little room for the songs to breathe... However, the emphasis on Thom's lyrics illuminates The Eraser's strongest asset: its content.
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