“Kid A” is Radiohead’s fourth studio album that was released on October 2, 2000. Most of the album was made in parts of England, primarily written by lead singer Thom Yorke.
The album has a total runtime of 49 minutes and 56 seconds, featuring 11 songs. The songs are primarily sung by Yorke with minimal backing vocals by fellow bandmate Ed O’Brien. Other members of the band include Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood and Philip Selway. This album is known to be Radiohead’s first time using a more electronic sound instead of their usual acoustic sound.
The production is especially notable in this album. “Kid A” is produced by Nigel Godrich. Godrich has worked with Radiohead for the majority of their career, evolving with the band. In this album they worked together to create a strong blend of electronic, indie and ambient sound. They utilized synths, drum machines and a ton of other digital electronic sounds. Yorke even manipulated his own voice to make it sound like an instrument. They abandoned their usual sound and went with something they weren’t sure people would like. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did.
The lyricism is also another factor that makes this album so good. In songs like “Motion Picture Soundtrack” and “How to Disappear Completely,” it is especially noteworthy. Yorke goes into depth about his feelings of loneliness and disassociation as well as what it feels like to lose. Each song tells its own story in its own way. Listening to this album is comparable to reading a book. It’s a different kind of music that is indescribable.
Overall, this album deserves a 10/10 for its excellent execution. Each instrument and sound creates an extraordinary blend of music.
