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. KellyW.
    Jul 11, 2006
    9
    In trying to remain objective rather then sensationalized, I think it is a very strong album. period. I'm a bit confused by the marginalizing reviews from the critical mass. If this singer was only someone who sounded like Thom Yorke critics would pining for the perfect adjective. This has style, substance and is slender by means---it has beauty but remains true to its' time. tic toc.
  2. GeoffB
    Jul 11, 2006
    8
    I, like everyone else, wish this was the new radiohead. As soon as you get past this and realize the record for what is is Thom Yorke. The electronics almost never annoyed (something I can't say for Hail to the Theif) and often hook you into the music.Tthe lyrics are wonderfully delivered and soulful, Thom's voice has a haunting quality that no other singing can duplicate. A I, like everyone else, wish this was the new radiohead. As soon as you get past this and realize the record for what is is Thom Yorke. The electronics almost never annoyed (something I can't say for Hail to the Theif) and often hook you into the music.Tthe lyrics are wonderfully delivered and soulful, Thom's voice has a haunting quality that no other singing can duplicate. A wonderful album, not worse than The Bends and Ok computer, but not better either, a wholely different experience.… Expand
  3. Bryan
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. Gets better with each listen.
  4. 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
  5. HiramWalker
    Jul 11, 2006
    9
    One thing...this is not a perfect record, nor a masterpiece. The critics have a point when they say "this record came too late to be trully groundbreaking..." & "you miss the 'wow' moments Radiohead would've brought to the mix", BUT, all that aside, this record stands on it's own because of it's slightness...it sounds like two guys, who've worked together for One thing...this is not a perfect record, nor a masterpiece. The critics have a point when they say "this record came too late to be trully groundbreaking..." & "you miss the 'wow' moments Radiohead would've brought to the mix", BUT, all that aside, this record stands on it's own because of it's slightness...it sounds like two guys, who've worked together for years now, getting down to brass tacks and putting all the ideas they've had over coffee and pints the last few years onto tape. When those two guys are Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich, ya'll better listen...… Expand
  6. MattD.
    Jul 11, 2006
    6
    To me, The Eraser has neither the wondrous experimentation of Kid A or as strong a song structures as found on OK Computer. That said, it would be hard for a Radiohead fan to dislike this CD. I just think he can do better with the band.
  7. flameme
    Jul 11, 2006
    3
    nine tunes that sound like bastard children of "the gloaming" and "backdrifts" (contrary to opinions in several professional reviews i have read, nothing comes close to the manic energy of "idioteque"). the truth is that most rabid radiohead fans will adore it while berating the rest of us for not understanding thom's "beautiful artistic vision", blah blah blah... i've tried to nine tunes that sound like bastard children of "the gloaming" and "backdrifts" (contrary to opinions in several professional reviews i have read, nothing comes close to the manic energy of "idioteque"). the truth is that most rabid radiohead fans will adore it while berating the rest of us for not understanding thom's "beautiful artistic vision", blah blah blah... i've tried to absorb "the eraser" about six or seven times, but the record's really rather painful to sit through.… Expand
  8. KarelJ
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    it´s Thom Yorke, what else can I say... (maybe fantastic)
  9. KA
    Jul 11, 2006
    7
    Diehard Radiohead fans will love this CD but for casual fans, these tracks will sound even more cold and icy remote than radiohead's most recent full-length CD. To call it a masterpiece is really praising it too highly.
  10. davea
    Jul 11, 2006
    3
    if you thought kid a and amnesiac were a bit too weird, don't bother. this is more of the same strange sounds and noises lacking actual songs. please thom, focus on radiohead, cause this is not really working for you...
  11. 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
  12. mikes.
    Jul 11, 2006
    8
    At first listen it sounds as if the electronic production sounds somewhat dated, and that yorke has taken a step backwards into kid a territory once again. But with repeated listenings you realize the songwriting itself is solid, and the album is more focused and consistent than kid a. I'd have to say this is the best yorke has sounded since ok computer. Great album with tons of depth.
  13. MA
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Best of 2006 so far. Striking vocals especially.
  14. DavidB
    Jul 10, 2006
    6
    Lets be realistic here. Its seems that metacritic users have a tendancy to rate things with either a "10" or a "1", however the numbers in between these are very important and seem to be quite neglected. This sometimes leads to mediocre albums being ranked at say "9.3". For all Radiohead fans here, if you were to give Kid A or OKC say, a "10" - does this mean that The Eraser is every bit Lets be realistic here. Its seems that metacritic users have a tendancy to rate things with either a "10" or a "1", however the numbers in between these are very important and seem to be quite neglected. This sometimes leads to mediocre albums being ranked at say "9.3". For all Radiohead fans here, if you were to give Kid A or OKC say, a "10" - does this mean that The Eraser is every bit as good as those albums? Some of you might even think so, but for those of you who would answer no to this question- please use common sense and use the 1-10 rating system like it was ment to be used. I realize I should probably be taking this time to write an actual review about this album, but I felt this needed to be said.… Expand
  15. RH
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    This is the album that fanatics of Kid A, like myself, have been waiting for. Your nervous system will instantly connect with these "pitter patter" electronic tracks, and there's no nonsense like the last two Radiohead albums. Definitely a nice surprise, and one of my favorites of 2006.
  16. 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"
  17. 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!)
  18. mykles
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    thom had two choices: make a distilled radiohead album, complete with hundreds of "wow" moments, or make a solid, out-of-left field solo album. he chose the second option. the eraser stands alone brilliantly, i just wish he had put a bit more frenzied emotion into it. listen a few times before judging -- it's a creeper!
  19. MelissaW
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Haunting.
  20. JaneP
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Haunting and beautiful - like finding a message in a bottle.
  21. jeff
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    best album of the year so far.
  22. aLck
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    Brilliant!!!
  23. PaulO.
    Jul 6, 2006
    8
    This album reminds me of Backdrifts and The Gloaming off of Radiohead's Hail To The Theif. It's got that electronic-sounding beat mixed with great vocals by Thom. It's not all blips and bleeps, there is a little guitar and piano. but if you love Radiohead, you'll love this album. However, it's not a masterpiece. (My favorite tracks are Atoms for Peace and Skip Divided)
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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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