Tomorrow's Modern Boxes
by Thom Yorke
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 87
  3. Negative: 7 out of 87

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  1. Brickfaced
    Oct 1, 2014
    7
    In Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, Thom Yorke creates a compact and surprisingly accessible record, while focusing much of his overindulgence is his marketing strategy instead. The record is exclusively electronic, building on the footholds of Atoms For Peace, but with even less breaks in style (AMOK had Judge, Jury & Executioner, and even The Eraser had tracks with guitars).

    In places, the    In Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, Thom Yorke creates a compact and surprisingly accessible record, while focusing much of his overindulgence is his marketing strategy instead. The record is exclusively electronic, building on the footholds of Atoms For Peace, but with even less breaks in style (AMOK had Judge, Jury & Executioner, and even The Eraser had tracks with guitars).

    In places, the record feels only a few strokes away from a dance floor effort, if only made distinguishable by haunting vocals, occasional ambient interference and a more minimal production.Through tracks like 'A Brain In A Bottle', 'Interference' & 'Nose Grows Some', Yorke showcases some of his most atmospheric solo work to date without alienating or breaking song structure for the sake of spontaneity.

    However, it lacks the impact of some of his other electronic endeavors. Tracks like 'Lotus Flower', 'Cymbal Rush' and 'Default' are proof that Thom Yorke can create something more experimental, alarming, passionate, soothing, goose bumpy, and in doing all that, still be accessible to the public at large.

    The album therefore feels like a subdued effort, rather than one of immense impact. Did we expect more? Perhaps, but then for all of its minimalism, it's an incredibly polished and poignant record.    … Expand
  2. Holding92
    Oct 2, 2014
    7
    Slightly underwhelming but for fans of Thom there's enough here to keep you satisfied. I will say that the track 'Nose Grows Some' alone is worth your £3.60/$6.00. It brings some much needed humanity and soul to this album and is Thom's BEST solo effort. Overall nothing here surprises but for the price you can't complain.
  3. Maximillian
    Nov 8, 2014
    8
    The thing is, is that He's from Radiohead right...but he's not radiohead, Neither is Jonny Greenwood or Phil Selway, so Thome Yorke's put out an album. is it as good as Kid A or OK Computer or In Rainbows? well maybe, probably not, it depends what you like. My Favourite Radiohead Albums in order are 1.King of Limbs, 2, Kid A 3. Hail to the thief. This album reminded me a lot of King ofThe thing is, is that He's from Radiohead right...but he's not radiohead, Neither is Jonny Greenwood or Phil Selway, so Thome Yorke's put out an album. is it as good as Kid A or OK Computer or In Rainbows? well maybe, probably not, it depends what you like. My Favourite Radiohead Albums in order are 1.King of Limbs, 2, Kid A 3. Hail to the thief. This album reminded me a lot of King of Limbs. I really love the attention to texture and rhythm opposed to melody, melody's dead man. so I guess i'm kind of bias from the start as most Radiohead Fan's would probably disagree with my favourite album choices. The last three songs on the record, that flow into each other so well are my favourite, they are so beautiful. Pink Section is my favourite track. What did people what from a Thom Yorke album, a bunch of acoustic ballads? OK Computer 2? This is just music, and it has the power to transport us and teach us. I think there is a kind of magic in this album, a faint sketch of a whole. it's like a ghost of an album. A ghost companion to The King of Limbs, and that in my books is an extremely good thing. quiet is the new loud after all.… Expand
  4. BlackSwan
    Oct 4, 2014
    8
    Very good album. Probably the farthest he could move into electronic. And yet every song is pervaded by the usual sense of typical Thom Yorke's urban paranoia creating a very unique feeling and atmosphere.
    I would rate it higher than his previous effort Amok and about the same level of his fist solo album The Eraser.
    For masterpieces we need all of the 5 Oxford guys. Outstanding tunes:    Very good album. Probably the farthest he could move into electronic. And yet every song is pervaded by the usual sense of typical Thom Yorke's urban paranoia creating a very unique feeling and atmosphere.
    I would rate it higher than his previous effort Amok and about the same level of his fist solo album The Eraser.
    For masterpieces we need all of the 5 Oxford guys.
    Outstanding tunes: Brain in a Bottle, Guess Again!, Interference, Truth Ray and Nose Grows Some.    … Expand
  5. thaleslucas
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    Thom Yorke is amazing!! This new secret Project really surprise me and I'm addicted in all songs of it. The production is a kind different, but still better than so many stupid commercial things that went out this year. I cannot say that it's bad, because it isn't! This is a lot of powerful mind... Thom is really the best!
  6. Critique_
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    i know you are reading this Thom. album so refreshing after Atom for a peace stuff newer thought i am going to hear something so atmospheric and full of beautiful lo-fi sounds. Album by itself full of fragile sounds and and sensitive themes. Its been a while since there was such well written vocal melody's. .I bet this album gong to get lot of mixed reviews because of Thoms new directioni know you are reading this Thom. album so refreshing after Atom for a peace stuff newer thought i am going to hear something so atmospheric and full of beautiful lo-fi sounds. Album by itself full of fragile sounds and and sensitive themes. Its been a while since there was such well written vocal melody's. .I bet this album gong to get lot of mixed reviews because of Thoms new direction and experimental stuff, but for me this one sounds like on of the honest albums Thom ever released where song fits perfectly together and gets you in to nostalgic autumns journey.… Expand
  7. LionInFLL
    Sep 30, 2014
    8
    TMB omits many of the pop hooks and guitar riffs that were just enough to give Eraser its immediacy despite its atypical musical structure; but what may seem TMB's weakness is also its strongest point. The album is clearly a commentary on living in the modern world, and its sound is a journey from beginning to end about drifting, at times clear, and at times disconnected. Its closer,TMB omits many of the pop hooks and guitar riffs that were just enough to give Eraser its immediacy despite its atypical musical structure; but what may seem TMB's weakness is also its strongest point. The album is clearly a commentary on living in the modern world, and its sound is a journey from beginning to end about drifting, at times clear, and at times disconnected. Its closer, Nose Grows Some, is one of the most beautiful things Yorke has committed to media, its ending fittingly disintigrating into entropy. Will it endure the way Eraser has? Maybe not. But Yorke looks at albums as a whole rather than in its isolated parts. There is no sound like it. Not a masterwork but a beautiful and challenging album nonetheless.… Expand
  8. necafa
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    Imagine yourself inside a black gyroscope made by grass and looking for a hole to breathe. If you can't understand an album like this using a post reality imagination, you don't deserve it. You maybe is allowing that an absolute truth says you what like or dislike about actual commercial music. Put your headphones and forget the paradigms. Transport yourself to that new world. You justImagine yourself inside a black gyroscope made by grass and looking for a hole to breathe. If you can't understand an album like this using a post reality imagination, you don't deserve it. You maybe is allowing that an absolute truth says you what like or dislike about actual commercial music. Put your headphones and forget the paradigms. Transport yourself to that new world. You just need to do what Kid A taught you. Let it go.… Expand
  9. Antreas
    Feb 1, 2015
    6
    I deeply respect Thom Yorke, i'm not forgetting the amazing things he gave us so far but he can do better than this. It's a descent effort though. :)
  10. listener
    Oct 5, 2014
    4
    His weakest realize yet-and I like all of his later day works like The Eraser,The King of Limbs and AMOK...but not this one. Dull,lifeless,pointless,predictable,forgettable.It doesn't even sound like a regular album,more like collection of outtakes or some half-baked although crafty produced demo recordings.
  11. Xug
    Jan 9, 2015
    2
    Shorter than the vast majority of albums and lacking any melody to memorise or hum to, this album reeks of indulgence and self importance. I find it hard to imagine where or when I would play this in my daily routine. The moments where a sense of melody do begin to appear, Thom seems determined to destroy with irritating and excessive syncopation. Whatever.

    Sure, it pushes electronic    Shorter than the vast majority of albums and lacking any melody to memorise or hum to, this album reeks of indulgence and self importance. I find it hard to imagine where or when I would play this in my daily routine. The moments where a sense of melody do begin to appear, Thom seems determined to destroy with irritating and excessive syncopation. Whatever.

    Sure, it pushes electronic music to as far a level as Thom has taken it, but at what cost? These songs wont be remembered and I doubt I will find myself conversing with a colleague over the virtues of this album or any parts thereof. Thom can do much better and many could do as good.    … Expand
  12. Ricko
    Aug 7, 2015
    8
    Thom Yorkes second solo record is an interesting affair, even if it you tend to know what to expect from the Radiohead frontman these days. The way I hear the record, its split in two sides. Side one is closer to his first solo offering "The Eraser" and has the more quick tempo tracks. "A Brain in a Bottle", "Guess Again" and "The Mother Lode" could all be lifted from the Atoms For PeaceThom Yorkes second solo record is an interesting affair, even if it you tend to know what to expect from the Radiohead frontman these days. The way I hear the record, its split in two sides. Side one is closer to his first solo offering "The Eraser" and has the more quick tempo tracks. "A Brain in a Bottle", "Guess Again" and "The Mother Lode" could all be lifted from the Atoms For Peace record. The second half consists of less immediate tracks, not quite soundscapes but further away from your conventional track. "Tomorrow's Modern Boxes" is a success that arguably betters "The Eraser". Personally, I would love to see Yorke to focus solely on Radiohead and would love to have heard the full bands take on this material. Yorke has his fingers in many pies and I think Radioheads output post "In Rainbows" has been suffering as a result.… Expand
  13. frankrog29
    Oct 21, 2014
    9
    Much like Kid A, TMB is full of melancholy and pathos, but the songs are as beautiful and as lush as ever. This album is not as strong as the last couple Radiohead releases, but it is close. I disagree with critics who think that this album sounds the same as The Eraser and Amok; TMB is much more ambient, mellow, and lush. The music is minimal and sometimes even retro-sounding, a la BoardsMuch like Kid A, TMB is full of melancholy and pathos, but the songs are as beautiful and as lush as ever. This album is not as strong as the last couple Radiohead releases, but it is close. I disagree with critics who think that this album sounds the same as The Eraser and Amok; TMB is much more ambient, mellow, and lush. The music is minimal and sometimes even retro-sounding, a la Boards of Canada. Like all Thom Yorke songs, these compositions are incredibly inventive and ingenious. In my opinion, no one can match Mr. Yorke's songwriting ability. The melancholy and alienation conveyed by Mr. Yorke's voice can be very disarming, but this album is an honest, harrowing, and masterful portrait of the times in which we live.… Expand
  14. On-earMusic
    Oct 15, 2014
    8
    More atmospheric but equally as entrancing and Thom Yorke's last solo effort, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes does more of the same but does it very well. Some true stand out songs being The Mother Lode, Guess Again!, Truth Ray, and Nose Grows Some really show off Thom's electronic capabilities and golden pipes. Though his experimental, two song, 9+ minute instrumental tracks leave more to be desired.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Under The Radar
    Nov 26, 2014
    50
    Tomorrow's Modern Boxes is similar to The Eraser in its electronic aesthetic; it's cohesive but hardly the most compelling album he's released.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2014
    60
    A diverting, stoner-friendly 39 minutes. [Dec 2014, p.89]
  3. Uncut
    Nov 11, 2014
    80
    Incrementally, Yorke's resilient gifts come into focus. [Dec 2014, p.83]
See all critic reviews »