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. caro
    Jul 18, 2006
    8
    This is a very haunting album from the genius behind Radiohead. Don't forget that Thom isn't backed by the other guys (i.e. Johnny Greenwood & co.) so this is just from Thom's mind. I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. Just give it a few listens, it really isn't like anything else out there.
  2. ColmO
    Jul 22, 2006
    10
    I'm a little tired of hearing the words "purists" associated with anyone who thinks The Bends is pure Radiohead. Where have you been for the last 12 years? Thank you Mr. Yorke for providing the rest of us non-purists with a beautiful, wrenching, cathartic journey. Can't wait for 2007!
  3. TchsatoriS
    Jul 23, 2006
    6
    This sounds like thom trying to do a lo-fi radiohead cover, someone put a quote in here about the band saying they carry the 'soul' of radiohead's music and I must agree this album lacks soul, and depth...
  4. MikeJ
    Jul 23, 2006
    1
    It's very boring, and not very good.
  5. RG
    Jul 24, 2006
    9
    another triumph i thought it would loose because of the rest of the band. atoms of peace is a revelation dancy, dark - a weird combination but it works more listens make it better and yorkes voice becomes the central focus cymbal rush comes out of nowhere to end the album
  6. MichaelS
    Jul 31, 2006
    9
    I love this album.
  7. KristopherL
    Aug 21, 2006
    9
    Words and notes that have been ment to go together through out all of time have finally matched up and beautifully sung.
  8. AmyM
    Aug 22, 2006
    10
    My opinion: This album is innovative, fresh and ingenious. Thom Yorke, Nigel Goodrich and Jonny Greenwood are briliant forces within the genre. All critics who oppose the marvel graces of this remarkable production are ignorant and should face internal scrutiny.
  9. DavidH
    Sep 14, 2006
    9
    The music press have used terms such as "desolate dreamscape" and "alien landscapes" to describe the soundscapes on this album. I think they make a good call. In my opinion, this is an incredible album, with incredible sounds, and quite frankly what I call
  10. porkskateborde
    Jan 25, 2007
    6
    a pretty good record and nothing more. i expected it to be better. but we still get "the clock," "and it rained...," "atoms for peace," "the eraser" - all very good songs. it's certainly not kid a 2, though, so let's go ahead and stop with that.
  11. GregN.
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    Easily the best album of 2006.
  12. dyzc_
    Feb 28, 2007
    9
    The Eraser is a one of a kind album. Its a very concentrated and focused sound. I believe this album fits the year 2006 and 2007, 2008, 2009.... For me, OK Computer is the best Radiohead album because the album 'in total', i think, is better. But the Eraser is a different sound. I hope Radiohead will continue this road...and then in this sound the best is yet to come....
  13. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    5
    This solo debut by Thom Yorke is a collection of songs that are bits and pieces mostly dating back a number of years. Radiohead is arguably the greatest band of the late twentieth century, so any album by it's lead singer is likely to gain critical interest and sales from fans. I imagine any good songs Thom Yorke has written will end up on the next Radiohead LP, rather than on this This solo debut by Thom Yorke is a collection of songs that are bits and pieces mostly dating back a number of years. Radiohead is arguably the greatest band of the late twentieth century, so any album by it's lead singer is likely to gain critical interest and sales from fans. I imagine any good songs Thom Yorke has written will end up on the next Radiohead LP, rather than on this solo adventure, which stikes me as more an experiment for Yorke. Good for him.… Expand
  14. SimonO
    Dec 29, 2006
    9
    Stronger, and more consistent, than recent Radiohead records. Though there are points of comparison, the constant tag of KidA 2 does not do justice to The Eraser's scope.
  15. themoza
    Dec 15, 2010
    6
    One word, Black Swan. This one song is a gleaming triumph in a field of techno experimental electronic beats. I am a huge Radiohead fan but Thom Yorke's latest effort only produces one great song, but its so good it brings the whole album up to a six where it would have been a five without it. In fact, don't buy the album, just go on YouTube and listen to Black Swan, but unless you are aOne word, Black Swan. This one song is a gleaming triumph in a field of techno experimental electronic beats. I am a huge Radiohead fan but Thom Yorke's latest effort only produces one great song, but its so good it brings the whole album up to a six where it would have been a five without it. In fact, don't buy the album, just go on YouTube and listen to Black Swan, but unless you are a fan of techno, steer clear of this album.… Expand
  16. Chaziltasm
    Apr 12, 2012
    9
    Thom Yorke, a beautiful lyricist, the beating heart of Radiohead now with a solo album. At first I was worried, it felt a little too cold, slightly hard to approach, however when you look into it deeper, feel the music, you feel the emotion behind every song and every word sounds so beautiful. Lyrics like poetry, with the buzz of synths to guide you through. But i find comfort within theThom Yorke, a beautiful lyricist, the beating heart of Radiohead now with a solo album. At first I was worried, it felt a little too cold, slightly hard to approach, however when you look into it deeper, feel the music, you feel the emotion behind every song and every word sounds so beautiful. Lyrics like poetry, with the buzz of synths to guide you through. But i find comfort within the cold dark electronic beauty of The Eraser. My only wish would be that it was longer.… Expand
  17. dude
    Oct 17, 2010
    8
    Maybe it isnt a masterpiece but it is a real deep and unique electronica album and its not another useless frontman single album. there are somethings that he couldnt release with radiohead...lyrics are more private and based on his own personal experiments....and if can say to some tracks like analyse and Black Swan i think you are just acting defensive about the album. Thom YorkesMaybe it isnt a masterpiece but it is a real deep and unique electronica album and its not another useless frontman single album. there are somethings that he couldnt release with radiohead...lyrics are more private and based on his own personal experiments....and if can say to some tracks like analyse and Black Swan i think you are just acting defensive about the album. Thom Yorkes single album is just like his voice,vocal style , personality & lyrics......it is orginal ,deep and dark.… Expand
  18. Ricko
    Jun 8, 2012
    8
    An interesting debut solo outing for the Radiohead frontman. Because of the voice, you will automatically think of Radiohead when you hear this record but overall it's a departure from Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows, the albums between which the Eraser lives. The opening title track,Black Swan and Analyse are the only tracks that you would expect to find on a Radiohead album. While IAn interesting debut solo outing for the Radiohead frontman. Because of the voice, you will automatically think of Radiohead when you hear this record but overall it's a departure from Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows, the albums between which the Eraser lives. The opening title track,Black Swan and Analyse are the only tracks that you would expect to find on a Radiohead album. While I feel the first half of the record is outstanding, the second half drops a bit. Overall it's a very good album with several very strong songs, lots of good ideas and a couple of idea's that don't quite work out as well as you would have hoped. Doesn't match his parent bands output but the Erasers high points make this well worth having.… Expand
  19. julybish
    May 25, 2013
    10
    I can't stop listening to it ....maybe it's because after listening to its live version played by The Atoms for peace I started to appreciate every single song! Worth give it a chance!
  20. EddieHokie
    Mar 2, 2013
    8
    Thom Yorke comes at us with a surprise solo album but the sound is not surprising. The Eraser sounds like a less abstract Kid-A with just as many beeps and bloops combined with clear song structure. Every song on here is enjoyable except for Skip Divided which is a total dud. Lyrically, Thom Yorke is usually undecipherable and cryptic which is the case here too. He is excellentThom Yorke comes at us with a surprise solo album but the sound is not surprising. The Eraser sounds like a less abstract Kid-A with just as many beeps and bloops combined with clear song structure. Every song on here is enjoyable except for Skip Divided which is a total dud. Lyrically, Thom Yorke is usually undecipherable and cryptic which is the case here too. He is excellent at painting visuals however and the Eraser fits the bill as strongly as any Radiohead effort. His voice is the forefront for probably the first time and its a great artistic choice as his angelic voice simultaneously contradicts and combines with his dark lyrics. This album is as good as Radiohead's 3rd or 4th best album which is an achievement. Grade Time in order
    "A" Songs- Analyze, The Eraser, Black Swan, Harrowdown Hill
    "B" Songs- Atoms for Peace
    "C" Songs- And it Rained All Night, The Clock, Cymbal Rush
    "F" Songs- Skip Divided

    Overall Album Score: 84 out of 100    … Expand
  21. moslegend34
    Dec 21, 2014
    9
    Chilling. I listened to this album as a naïve first year uni student and it certainly opened my eyes to the ways of the world. This album, while ambient and soft, is by no means for the faint hearted. ‘Analyse’ is a truly beautiful and delicately crafted piece, although I wish Yorke had included a live piano version of the song as well.
    At times the album, particularly some of the riffs,    Chilling. I listened to this album as a naïve first year uni student and it certainly opened my eyes to the ways of the world. This album, while ambient and soft, is by no means for the faint hearted. ‘Analyse’ is a truly beautiful and delicately crafted piece, although I wish Yorke had included a live piano version of the song as well.
    At times the album, particularly some of the riffs, melodies and drum beats feel a tad overproduced. The Eraser might well suffice with an acoustic guitar, analyse with a piano and Harrowdown Hill without so much guitar amplification. Despite this, I truly believe that this is Thom Yorke’s best work outside of Radiohead; ‘Ingenue’ in Atoms for Peace is up there, but in terms of commentary music and dark variety, this takes the cake.
    An essential listen for Radiohead and/or alternative rock fans.    … Expand
  22. ClueingLooks
    May 29, 2016
    10
    I love Radiohead, but this album is totally different from what you're used to. It's brilliant, it's haunting, addicting, it sticks with you for weeks. Every single song creates a different atmosphere with its beats, lyrics, synths. It's pure perfection, Thom is a genius.
  23. sratomasfer
    Feb 28, 2017
    8
    The first full length Thom Yorke effort is just as weird and glitchy as someone could expect from him. The programmed beats are crisp and sweet as Nigel Godrich contributes the programming. A few underwhelming moments however. The title track, which features a piano contributing from fellow Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood, doesn't stand up sonically to the others on the record. Atoms forThe first full length Thom Yorke effort is just as weird and glitchy as someone could expect from him. The programmed beats are crisp and sweet as Nigel Godrich contributes the programming. A few underwhelming moments however. The title track, which features a piano contributing from fellow Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood, doesn't stand up sonically to the others on the record. Atoms for Peace seems to lack direction. At the end of the day, this is a thoroughly enjoyable record especially for fans of glitch IDM looking for a fresh take on that 90's Warp style.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2006
44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2006

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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