Amnesiac
by Radiohead
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2001
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    60
    Too tentative and slight to be genuinely moving.
  2. Neumu.net
    60
    The spirit of Syd Barrett seems to loom over this record more than either of the previous Radiohead longplayers, and that's not a bad thing at all.
  3. AllMusic
    60
    Amnesiac plays like a streamlined version of Kid A, complete with blatant electronica moves and production that sacrifices songs for atmosphere.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    By the sound of it, Radiohead have strayed off into the same territory Yes did over a quarter century ago -- and two pieces of marginalia in a row don't bode well for the outcome. [8 June 2001, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. E! Online
    58
    While this sounds mostly like incomplete leftovers, there are a few tasty treats: The lonely guitar of "Knives Out," that dirty beat pulsating under "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" and the hypnotic body-ponging of "I Might Be Wrong."
  7. Playlouder
    40
    Repeated listens draw out its infinite flaws, its awful smugness, and remind you that were this not A Radiohead Album it would have been consigned to the pile marked 'Not A Patch On Aphex Twin' last week.
  8. The Wire
    40
    Pleasant, yes, but not much more.... Too many of these 'songs' snap off at around the three or four minute mark, just as they start to get interesting.... It sounds consistently half-there. [#208, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2001
8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2001
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 559 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 528 out of 559
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 559
  3. Negative: 8 out of 559
  1. jamesw
    May 20, 2007
    10
    brilliant
  2. Nick
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    You and Whose Army is one of the best songs written (not to mention my personal favourite I Might Be Wrong). The flow of this album also You and Whose Army is one of the best songs written (not to mention my personal favourite I Might Be Wrong). The flow of this album also contributes to its overall brilliance.… Full Review »
  3. noway
    Jul 12, 2006
    3
    "It is obvious that reviewers listening to "a record of B sides" have little comprehension of what is truely interesting and intuitive "It is obvious that reviewers listening to "a record of B sides" have little comprehension of what is truely interesting and intuitive music." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. that review is the funniest thing i've read all day; it reminds me of why i hate 85% of radiohead's fans. you know, the ones who write intense, poorly articulated arguments putting down everyone who doesn't think that everything thom & the band puts out is pure genius (sans 'pablo honey', of course). having said that, amnesiac is the weakest link in radiohead's otherwise impressive catalog.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »