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A Light for Attracting Attention
by
A Light for Attracting Attention Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 107 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner as The Smile was produced by Nigel Godrich.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Uncut
    May 20, 2022
    90
    Feels more like a refreshment, refinement or even fulfilment of Radiohead core principals, rather than an extracurricular dalliance. [Jul 2022, p.24]
  2. Pitchfork
    May 12, 2022
    86
    A Light for Attracting Attention sounds more like a proper Radiohead album than any of the numerous side projects the band’s members have done on their own. ... The Smile spotlights the creative relationship between Yorke and Greenwood like never before.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    May 13, 2022
    83
    As moving as those songs are, The Smile are more intriguing when they shift slightly further away from Yorke and Greenwood’s established palette.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 12, 2022
    80
    In cutting some new shapes, this supergroup have been set loose to make some of the most arresting and satisfying music of their careers.
  5. musicOMH.com
    May 13, 2022
    80
    Unlike those other Radiohead solo and side projects, you can easily imagine The Smile appealing to more than those aforementioned obsessives. As a soundtrack to these unsettling, rather terrifying times, you won’t find many better composers than Yorke and Greenwood.
  6. Mojo
    May 18, 2022
    80
    Occasionally, they favour the billowy and formless- Waving A Whit Flag goes nowhere, albeit moodily - but their best tracks showcase Yorke's song most transparently; Panavision and Free In the Knowledge are two of his loveliest in years. [Jul 2022, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. AllMusic
    May 13, 2022
    80
    A Light for Attracting Attention bests The Eraser as Yorke's finest non-Radiohead effort and falls somewhere amongst A Moon Shaped Pool and King of Limbs in terms of scope and daring. As such, diehards should be quite pleased with this release: an utterly satisfying set of songs that stands tall on its own, yet could easily climb the ranks against any of Radiohead's late-era efforts.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Prosmooth
    May 13, 2022
    10
    Listened to it all day yesterday. No mid tracks. Best Radiohead side project since Thom's first solo album. Being honest, and with noListened to it all day yesterday. No mid tracks. Best Radiohead side project since Thom's first solo album. Being honest, and with no disrespect intended to the other band members not involved in this, it sounds like a Radiohead album.… Expand
  2. froggychair
    Oct 16, 2022
    10
    An excellent album for those who enjoy Radiohead-ish tunes… especially if you love The King of Limbs and Hail to the Thief
  4. Patribateman
    May 13, 2022
    10
    When they started to release material and did a live concert I wasn't completely surprised, my expectations were that it was going to be anWhen they started to release material and did a live concert I wasn't completely surprised, my expectations were that it was going to be an "AMOK" or "THE KING OF LIMBS", but when I heard it I was speechless, it exceeded my expectations.… Expand
  5. arcticspill
    May 18, 2022
    9
    The best Radiohead-adjacent project thus far. Of course it sort of sounds like Radiohead, but that's really not an issue considering they'reThe best Radiohead-adjacent project thus far. Of course it sort of sounds like Radiohead, but that's really not an issue considering they're not making music currently. This album is fantastic. The two older songs here (Open the Floodgates and Skrting) are special and highlights here. Free in the Knowledge is a gorgeous song, and the production is beautiful. Speech Bubbles may be my favourite Thom song since Reckoner. I think the album is slightly bloated, and I won't ever understand the omission of Just Eyes & Mouth, but the album as a whole makes up for it.… Expand
  6. theantogonist
    May 17, 2023
    9
    Wonderful work that recalls the best atmospheric Radiohead records. The worst: is too short.
    The best parts are "The Smoke" and "Free in the    Wonderful work that recalls the best atmospheric Radiohead records. The worst: is too short.
    The best parts are "The Smoke" and "Free in the knowledge"    … Expand
  7. DiscoNesi
    Jul 20, 2022
    9
    It is exactly what you'd think...A blend of some Thom solo work and songs that should be on a Radiohead album, but unfortunately that band noIt is exactly what you'd think...A blend of some Thom solo work and songs that should be on a Radiohead album, but unfortunately that band no longer exists :(
    The only reason it gets a 9 is that some of the songs could have been worked out and deeper had the whole crew been there.
    Can't wait to see them live!
    No way there are 15 better albums this year Meta.    … Expand
  8. russianvoodoo
    May 15, 2022
    3
    It's just bad and annoying. It's the same patterns, same guitars, same chords. But it doesn't have a core.

See all 21 User Reviews

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45
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