Kid A
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Kid A Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1235 Ratings

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  • Summary: Seemingly unwilling to stick to a successful formula, Radiohead follow their breakthrough album 'OK Computer' with this much more experimental work (recorded during sessions that also spawned the later-released 'Amnesiac' album), which ventures even further away from conventional songSeemingly unwilling to stick to a successful formula, Radiohead follow their breakthrough album 'OK Computer' with this much more experimental work (recorded during sessions that also spawned the later-released 'Amnesiac' album), which ventures even further away from conventional song structure and embraces electronica more fully (even sounding at times like Aphex Twin).… Expand

Top Track

Idioteque
Who's in a bunker? Who's in a bunker? Women and children first And the children first And the children I'll laugh until my head comes off I'll... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Pitchfork
    100
    Comparing this to other albums is like comparing an aquarium to blue construction paper.... It's the sound of a band, and its leader, losing faith in themselves, destroying themselves, and subsequently rebuilding a perfect entity. In other words, Radiohead hated being Radiohead, but ended up with the most ideal, natural Radiohead record yet.
  2. L.A. Weekly
    90
    Kid A may feel cold and ahuman at first, but stick with it for the full 50 minutes: Listen long enough, and a fragile, flickering glow becomes apparent amid the chill. It?s the sound of human warmth flooding into a formerly alien space -- of Radiohead finally going exactly where they wanted.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    90
    Not content to embrace familiar dance-music genres like trance (the way Madonna does when she's feeling experimental), the band delves into the most outré electronic music imaginable, from the amniotic soundscapes of Brian Eno to the industrial gristle of Coil. The result is Radiohead's best album...
  4. CDNow
    80
    With Kid A, Radiohead has made the ultimate 3 a.m. stoner-headphone album, one that marks an entirely logical progression from -- if not necessarily an improvement upon -- the techno-but-not-really O.K. Computer.... Occasionally, it feels less like a rock record and more like a museum piece, and as a work of art, it's laudable. As an actual, listener-friendly offering, it leaves something to be desired: It's precisely the sort of record a band makes when it has endless amounts of time and money, and has spent long periods of time being told what geniuses its members are.
  5. Rolling Stone
    80
    It is a kind of virtual rock in which the roots have been cut away, and the formal language -- hook, riff, bridge -- has been warped, liquefied and, in some songs, thrown out altogether. If you're looking for instant joy and easy definition, you are swimming in the wrong soup.... Kid A is a work of deliberately inky, often irritating obsession.
  6. HOB.com
    70
    Yes, they tried something different, but they kept it accessible. Just as with the last album's guitar-rock-on-tranquilizers, if Kid A's mood music changes the world it will be precisely because it is mainstream, not because it is revolutionary.
  7. Resonance
    30
    A record that might've been amazing if the band had only bothered to write some actual songs. [#28, p. 62]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 247 out of 265
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 265
  3. Negative: 13 out of 265
  1. noiseboy
    Feb 11, 2006
    10
    this is simply the greatest album i have ever heard and not by a small margin. it is epic in conception, heartbreaking in intensity and this is simply the greatest album i have ever heard and not by a small margin. it is epic in conception, heartbreaking in intensity and groundbreaking in style. i cant quite believe that anyone hearing this could fail to be moved. it is as perfect as it is possible for chaotic music to be. buy this record. buy this record. it is the one record that makes me scared of making music for the fear that nothing i ever do will be as good.… Expand
  2. personhi
    Jun 10, 2003
    10
    Flawless. I've listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. Radioheads best album. Every song has beautiful vocals and Flawless. I've listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. Radioheads best album. Every song has beautiful vocals and perfectly anomous vocals. People need to grow up and accept music that isn't mainstream and guitar based. "How to Disappear Completely" is the "A Day in the Life" of today. … Expand
  4. StJimofSuburbia
    Feb 22, 2011
    10
    Upon first listen I can see why old school Radiohead fans won't like this album, I didn't either. After a few listens though the album grew onUpon first listen I can see why old school Radiohead fans won't like this album, I didn't either. After a few listens though the album grew on me. Radiohead took a leap of faith here by making an album totally opposite of their past masterpieces (The Bends & OK Computer). This transition kind of reminds me of Dylan going acoustic. His loyal folk fan base was horrified and didn't want anything to do with him after that. Thankfully artists make music for themselves and what that is and what the fans want may be two different things. If artists just stuck to their roots we they would never be able to grow intellectually and musically. Kid A is a fantastic album and is well worthy of all the praise it has and continues to receive and "Everything In It's Right Place" is one of the best songs of all time.… Expand
  5. JasonB
    Apr 29, 2007
    10
    A modern classic. Original and thought provoking with loads of depth. Not to be judged until after two or three listens at minimum.
  6. RockCritic
    Jun 18, 2013
    10
    Not a masterpiece on the first listen, but if you are a true Radiohead fan, this album will grow on you and most people realize that thisNot a masterpiece on the first listen, but if you are a true Radiohead fan, this album will grow on you and most people realize that this album is a rock masterpiece, and probably one of the best electronic albums ever.… Expand
  7. lapuissance
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    Wtf is this, This album makes me feel something but I still don't know what. But I know one thing, this is a f***ing masterpiece
  8. lewist
    May 12, 2006
    0
    this album is fucking awful.

See all 265 User Reviews

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