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. KarelJ
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    it´s Thom Yorke, what else can I say... (maybe fantastic)
  2. StevenG
    Sep 6, 2006
    10
    Already being a huge fan of Radiohead, and knowing that Thom Yorke had wanted to release a solo album for quite some time, I was concerned that these songs would feel like they had been sitting around for years collecting dust. However, I am very pleased to say that The Eraser finds Thom Yorke very much in the moment, creating a hypnotic, cohesive album that has made me fall in love with Already being a huge fan of Radiohead, and knowing that Thom Yorke had wanted to release a solo album for quite some time, I was concerned that these songs would feel like they had been sitting around for years collecting dust. However, I am very pleased to say that The Eraser finds Thom Yorke very much in the moment, creating a hypnotic, cohesive album that has made me fall in love with his songwriting style all over again. This is one of the very best albums of the year.… Expand
  3. RoyR
    Sep 8, 2006
    10
    Thom's unique talent has always been to draw you into his head. He sings from the soul ..... to the soul. On first hearing this album, my anticipation turned to niggling disappointment. It sounded so thin and there was even a black Judas moment when I thought this should have been called Thom's Rambling Musings in his Room with a Mic and Sound-making Thing. Then, the penny Thom's unique talent has always been to draw you into his head. He sings from the soul ..... to the soul. On first hearing this album, my anticipation turned to niggling disappointment. It sounded so thin and there was even a black Judas moment when I thought this should have been called Thom's Rambling Musings in his Room with a Mic and Sound-making Thing. Then, the penny dropped - as it does with so many of those albums you love forever after the 4th listen. And with Thom and his ilk, it usually drops with a resounding clang. Minimalist, yet enigmatically complex, structure that makes you focus on the melody - and, to all you detractors, Thom is beautific as a songwriter. This is what Thom hears while he walks down the road, hangs out at home, alone or in a crowd, sitting on the bog, basking in the afterglow, agonising when it occasionally goes wrong. In the absence of adequate superlatives, I will simply restate what so many have said before me - the man is a genius.… Expand
  4. jenb
    Oct 18, 2006
    10
    I love this album... in fact I think I'm addicted to it. Best album of the year for me so far.
  5. DartVayder
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    Best in 2006
  6. StefanP.
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    I can't believe this masterpiece isn't rated higher. For me its so far one of the best albums of 2006. Dark, emotional songs, perfectly crafted. Just 40 minutes of goose-bumps. As a whole i like it more than every Radiohead album. Definetly needs listening to on headphones and a few times to really get into it. My favourites so far: "And it rained all night" and "Analyse"
  7. SukjinH
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    Please, if you've been paying attention to what's been going on, it is painfully obvious that this record is not supposed to be cheery or full of energy. Thom is not trying to show off or prove that he can make music without his bandmates. This is something that he could have easily thrown away in the trash on his laptop, which would have been a huge disappointment. I'm Please, if you've been paying attention to what's been going on, it is painfully obvious that this record is not supposed to be cheery or full of energy. Thom is not trying to show off or prove that he can make music without his bandmates. This is something that he could have easily thrown away in the trash on his laptop, which would have been a huge disappointment. I'm glad to hear what he's been playing around with... Btw, the new songs Radiohead played in the recent tour were fantastic. Looking forward to next year's LP release..… Expand
  8. MeirK
    Jul 15, 2006
    10
    I just love this CD, Thom Is the Best
  9. jeff
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    best album of the year so far.
  10. JaneP
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Haunting and beautiful - like finding a message in a bottle.
  11. MelissaW
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Haunting.
  12. DavidG
    Jul 31, 2006
    10
    Such a refreshing album to listen to, its not trying to prove anything to anybody, if you like this album it really does send you to a nice place...
  13. PoppyH
    Aug 25, 2006
    10
    Even as a huge Radiohead fan I was surprised how good this is :D
  14. NicholasT
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    I'd go so far as to say that Mr. Yorke has bred a new genre: ... lounge electonica. This album sets the perfect mood, albeit an eerie, contempuous mood, but very few albums are able to do just that as effectively as this one. Every bleep and sonic undertone breathes life into this album which would have been perfect if it was solely Thom blaring his voice to begin with. I'm I'd go so far as to say that Mr. Yorke has bred a new genre: ... lounge electonica. This album sets the perfect mood, albeit an eerie, contempuous mood, but very few albums are able to do just that as effectively as this one. Every bleep and sonic undertone breathes life into this album which would have been perfect if it was solely Thom blaring his voice to begin with. I'm convinced that Mr. Yorke and crew will never release anything remotely subpar, and The Eraser, which takes the Radiohead foundation and strips it of everything but it's vocalist is a definite testament to that.… Expand
  15. Jjt
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    'Skip Divided' sums up the creative possibilities Thom can tease out of and squeeze into the straits, skips and divisions of electronica.
  16. KG
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    This is a masterful album filled with uniqueness and creativity beyond almost anything else I've heard before. Beautifully constructed music with many layers that blend well together. But as with Radiohead's music, Thom's voice is that final bit of glue that pulls it all together. Definitely best heard with good headphones (not iPod ear buds!)
  17. Bryan
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. Gets better with each listen.
  18. KrisS
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    When has Yorke and Radiohead not come out with an Album that was panned by critics when it hit the stores and then months later the same album is considered "Genius Before it's time"? The Eraser, like the Radiohead CD's before, has breathed new life into the genre of alternative rock. Obviously, if you are not a fan of Radiohead, this album is not for you. Those who enjoyed When has Yorke and Radiohead not come out with an Album that was panned by critics when it hit the stores and then months later the same album is considered "Genius Before it's time"? The Eraser, like the Radiohead CD's before, has breathed new life into the genre of alternative rock. Obviously, if you are not a fan of Radiohead, this album is not for you. Those who enjoyed listen to the pained rifts on OK Computer, the soothing melodies of infiinte space in Amnesiac or the magical drawn out rythmic beats of Kid A, will no doubtly love to throw the head phones on and get swept away to Thom Yorke's vision of the future. When it comes to the direction of Alternative Rock, Radiohead are not followers, they are pioneers. Once again the professor/inventor, Thom Yorke, molds our musical inept minds and expands our horizons of what we think good music should sound like.… Expand
  19. MA
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Best of 2006 so far. Striking vocals especially.
  20. peacev
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    this is an incredible album full of emotions, creativity and breathing rooms.. it's like meditation.. and it's not like Kid A, Amnesiac or another Radiohead album.. Thom's voice is amazing. Thanks to Thom that there are still creative musicians in this music industry.
  21. dickman
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    dig it son
  22. BernhardG
    Jul 28, 2006
    10
    I've never been a fan of Radiohead, so I wouldn't be able to compare them with Yorke's solo effort. But this album has been a revelation, the dark, dancy mood - as if Malcolm Middleton should combine efforts with Morrissey - makes this a personal favorite this summer. The slight Sigur Ros-like touch to several of the songs just makes the melancholy even more intimate and I've never been a fan of Radiohead, so I wouldn't be able to compare them with Yorke's solo effort. But this album has been a revelation, the dark, dancy mood - as if Malcolm Middleton should combine efforts with Morrissey - makes this a personal favorite this summer. The slight Sigur Ros-like touch to several of the songs just makes the melancholy even more intimate and real. I usually agree a 100% with the Pitchfork reviewer, but this time they've either put the wrong guy on the case or given him a different album to review. This is a classic. Mark my words, people will still refer to this album a decade from now.… Expand
  23. MickH
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    Eventually all have to accept we finally have a new Mozart here! Composer Yorke will last for centuries!
  24. jackiez
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Inspiring...
  25. PH
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    The album is amazing, the texture manages to be both lush and sparse at the same time, leading to a unique aural experience. A complete triumph.
  26. MIke
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    Didnt like it the first time I played it. But the more i listened to it, the more I noticed how brilliant it is! and now its one of my favorite vinyls!! Excellent!
  27. royr
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    Pitchfork, you rs! You are as bent as Seria A. From the outside looking in by the way, it is clear you do not actually have what it takes to articulate the lackings of this great record (not to the score you have given it anyway). Granted, critique is based upon opinion, but if this is seriously what you monkeys get paid for, aside from advertising space, take your arrogant fingers out of Pitchfork, you rs! You are as bent as Seria A. From the outside looking in by the way, it is clear you do not actually have what it takes to articulate the lackings of this great record (not to the score you have given it anyway). Granted, critique is based upon opinion, but if this is seriously what you monkeys get paid for, aside from advertising space, take your arrogant fingers out of you ears.… Expand
  28. JohnW
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    ya fuckers all are deaf or something...there is nothing wrong with this cd at all! it's genious..pitchfork reviews are shit mostly...Rolling Stone gave it 4 stars and that pretty much means more than any other reviewer. it may not be as good as "A RADIOHEAD" album but it fits in perfectly of what a solo album should be. Thom Yorke is the shit..no one can deny that!
  29. TJ
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    Please give it a chance, ok 'skip divided' might not be your cup of tea, but you have to get over your aversion to somthing different. If you didnt like KidA or Amnesiac then go away - youll find no surprises here. But if you were be ready for the buety of songs like The Eraser and Black Swan, the brillaince of Harrowdown Hill, yorke unlike many is prepared to ask questions and Please give it a chance, ok 'skip divided' might not be your cup of tea, but you have to get over your aversion to somthing different. If you didnt like KidA or Amnesiac then go away - youll find no surprises here. But if you were be ready for the buety of songs like The Eraser and Black Swan, the brillaince of Harrowdown Hill, yorke unlike many is prepared to ask questions and to try somthing different; personally id love to hear another ok comp but its not gonna happen they did that and it was great and now there (well thom at least) moving on, please try to do so as well. N.B everyone should check out Jonnys Bodysong - just as good.… Expand
  30. ColmO
    Jul 22, 2006
    10
    I'm a little tired of hearing the words "purists" associated with anyone who thinks The Bends is pure Radiohead. Where have you been for the last 12 years? Thank you Mr. Yorke for providing the rest of us non-purists with a beautiful, wrenching, cathartic journey. Can't wait for 2007!
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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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