Top 10 Best Radiohead Albums
Radiohead has always been a band that pushes boundaries, constantly evolving and experimenting with new sounds, styles, and ideas. From their early days as an alt-rock band in the '90s to their current status as one of the most innovative acts in modern music, their discography is full of twists and turns that make it hard to pin them down to just one genre or vibe.When it comes to ranking their albums, you're essentially comparing different stages of artistic growth, each with its own mood and message. Some people might lean toward their earlier, more guitar-driven work, while others will swear by the atmospheric, electronic-infused direction they embraced later on. That's what makes this such a fascinating discussion - everyone has their own take on what era of Radiohead hits hardest.
This album is one of the few that features hit songs yet is still adored by critics. In creating this album, it's as if Thom and company gazed into an orb to predict the future that is the early 21st century. Harking a story of automation and its discontents, this album truly has no weak links in terms of songs - every song is unique, captivating, and worth listening to.
OK Computer, often dubbed Radiohead's best album, propelled Radiohead into music stardom, and they have never looked back since. When songs like Polyethylene and I Promise are the B-side tracks from the band's recording, you know the album is something special.
This album is legendary! There isn't a single bad song on it. It all flows together perfectly to create a dark, dystopian, and at times, creepy atmosphere. This is the album that welcomed us to the 21st century and will be relevant for eternity. No matter how music changes, no matter how advanced our technology gets, Kid A will never go out of style.
I remember when I first listened to OK Computer. I liked it very much, but there was something missing from it. When I listened to Kid A, it made OK Computer look bad. It made everything good about it better and felt whole. There is nothing I would do to edit Kid A if I had the opportunity. This is not only the best Radiohead album but the best album of the century. A truly incredible album.
This is by far the best Radiohead album. It's not as light as OK Computer, and it leaves you hanging between reality and some parallel universe. Some of my best memories have had this album as their background music (as weird as this may seem).
Nude is my absolute favorite, along with Jigsaw Falling into Place and House of Cards. I can barely pay attention to what's happening around me when I put my headphones in and play one of these songs.
Then again, All I Need, Reckoner, Videotape... All so divine and extraordinary. Honestly, the only thing I can say about this album is that it's impeccable.
The first album I ever bought, and I knew nearly nothing about the band as I was fairly new to music at the age of 14. It served as a great introduction to Radiohead and their unique style.
A lot of times, I think if I hadn't started with this album, I would've had a much harder time understanding their later, more "daring" records (see: King of Limbs). These songs are definitely Radiohead songs, but they're much easier to listen to, at least to me.
When I listen to this album, I hear a coming-of-age story, and it was definitely there for me when I was enduring my own coming-of-age story.
For the record, Kid A is my personal choice. However, I voted for A Moon Shaped Pool purely because it is Radiohead's newest studio album, and I want to talk about it.
For starters, I would seriously place this in 2nd place on this list if I could. I really like it that much. It feels very similar to Kid A, In Rainbows, and The King of Limbs. I feel that the themes and topics it touches, which are quite dark, are reminiscent of Kid A. It has the artistic sound of In Rainbows and also has whispers of the experimental sound that was brought to us with The King of Limbs. All the while, it is still totally different from all the other mentioned albums because it has its own spiritual feel. It explores and touches different areas of rhythm and meaning never before ventured by previous Radiohead albums, forever pushing the band's boundaries further.
Some of my personal favorites, that I think are most noteworthy, are, of course, "Burn the Witch" and "Daydreaming." I'm still trying to figure out the exact meaning of the songs on a conscious level (especially "Burn the Witch"), but the melodies and general vibes that I receive from these songs are rarely felt from what other bands offer.
A song on the album that I previously thought was underrated, purely because I never heard anybody talking about it, is "Glass Eyes." It has such a watery and delicate piano sound to it (I love the sounds and distortion on this track), and the lyrics only remind me of myself a few years ago, and the sense of fear and worry that always got to me when I was reminded of the fact that I was turning into an adult and had to start doing adult things: such as obtaining a bank account and a job, etc. The idea felt so scary, cold, and colorless. Having to jump into and blend in with this serious crowd called "society." It also reminds me of the stress of having to get a job and mix in with people of different ages and personalities - people I didn't know. I like to think of... more
Unashamedly different from its predecessors, Amnesiac combines radical fusions of rock, electronic, and jazz to create an album entirely original and separate from the homogeneous nature of current modern contemporary music.
At first glance, this album seems almost unnecessarily verbose and confusing, with Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors sparking criticism from even the most die-hard Radiohead fans. Yet, once finally understood, Amnesiac breathes a fresh spark of creativity and ingenuity that is unlikely to be heard again anytime soon. Fans might dismiss this album as a mere blotch on the record of a band who has produced radio-happy tracks from The Bends and OK Computer. They're wrong, however. This is the best thing they've ever done.
I understand that "OK Computer," "Kid A," etc., are very well-written albums and have a dreamy feel to them unlike any other band. But "Hail to the Thief" was an excellent album! There was some cursing now and then, but all of these songs were good. "Scatterbrain" was a very dreamy, emotional song, while "Where I End and You Begin" was a very emotional rock song. But don't get me wrong about the other albums, those are great.
Have you ever looked on iTunes and seen that the popularity of the songs was 1 out of 10? I do not believe this about the songs. There are songs on that album that are better than 5 out of 10. Other bands you should pick from are Coldplay and U2. These are good too. I used to listen to these bands all the time when I was a kid, such as Coldplay, U2, Radiohead, The Beatles, The Eagles, and Jack Johnson. This is what you call quality music, not Jay-Z.
You probably think of me as a slacker eating chips all day and not getting outside often, but I am a really smart guy who makes A's, and I am not lying. Let's get to the point: my top songs on this album are "2+2=5," "Sail to the Moon," "Where I End and You Begin," "There, There," and "A Wolf at the Door." This is a little bit too long, but don't get me wrong.
With the exception of Feral, which I'd rate 3/5, and Morning Mr. Magpie, which I'd rate 4/5, all of these songs are top-quality, five-star songs. Some of the songs take several listens because they are so dense.
Bloom is a surprising piece because it utilizes such a delicate bassline to form an intricate melody. Morning Mr. Magpie might sound slow and meandering compared to the live performances, but it certainly has an interesting, visceral element that induces paranoia.
Little By Little is interesting in another way - it seems more complicated than it actually is. Feral was the only song I wasn't wild about, but the live performances of the song are really good. Lotus Flower is subtly complex and drives itself through its compelling bassline and beat.
Codex is a simply beautiful, artfully crafted song that manages to musically simulate water. Give Up The Ghost, while at first underwhelming, became my favorite Radiohead song of all time. It creates a beautiful contrast to the rest of the album - whereas every other song is complex, Give Up The Ghost is simple and straightforward. It manages to create an emotional release from the rest of the album's tension in one of the most subtle, low-key ways possible.
Separator is a calm, relaxed, and dreamy song where every member plays their own distinct part. It's a beautiful way to end the album. I disagree with most reviewers who say that the album is too close to typical Radiohead - it explores subtler melodies and more ephemeral, gentler moods.
It's a wonderful contrast to In Rainbows, which is the only album I'd place above The King of Limbs. I also disagree with those who say the album is too short - In Rainbows and The King of Limbs are much more condensed than previous albums, so album length is sacrificed for impact and consistency.
Does it belong at the bottom of the eight? Yeah, I'd say so. But I'm going to vote for it just to say my piece.
I'm listening to this right now for about the millionth time. I always joke that, on YouTube, the view counter for Radiohead videos is broken because it's only showing my views.
This really is a fantastic album from start to finish. Radiohead has never done wrong, and this is no exception. While perhaps my least favorite tracks are on here, they're still excellent songs. And then, some of the best stuff they've ever done (looking at you, "Lurgee" and "Blow Out") can also be found here.
Really, it's one of the best albums ever made. Yes, it's the "worst" Radiohead album. But that's like saying the first season of Breaking Bad is the "worst" season of Breaking Bad. It just doesn't make sense.