Radiohead: Every Album Objectively Ranked

The British rock band Radiohead, formed in 1985, remains one of the most innovative and influential bands of the century. Their ability to straddle the lines between genres is unmatched and unseen by any other band of the modern era. Having released nine studio albums and one live album, there is something for everyone. 

9. The King of Limbs  

At number 9 we have the ‘best, worst’ album of all time, with a short track list and a run time of only 37 minutes. Released in 2011, The King of Limbs has a few hits such as Codex, but nowhere near enough to compete with other albums. Unfortunately, something has to come last. 

8. Pablo Honey

At number 8 we have Radiohead’s debut album released in 1993. Despite featuring their most popular song Creep (which has nearly 2 billion listens on Spotify), this album was just the start of something greater.

7. Amnesiac 

Many people won’t be happy with this rating, but Radiohead’s album Amnesiac, released in 2001, secures seventh place. It is a concerted effort to replicate the success of Kid A, the band’s fourth studio album, but struggled to live up to its predecessor. With a run time of 43 minutes, the song to mention on this album is the closer:Life in a Glasshouse. 

6. Hail to the Thief  

Coming in sixth, is one of the most underrated albums of all time, Hail to the Thief. With a slightly longer run time of 56 minutes, it was released in 2003 with more consistent bangers than other albums, featuring 2+2=5 and There, There. This album is definitely worth a listen, despite being labelled their ‘dud’ album. 

5. A Moon Shaped Pool  

Coming in the top 5 is A Moon Shaped Pool which has a 52-minute run time and is Radiohead’s most recent album. Fan favourite True Love Waits finds a home in this underrated album released in 2016 after its first performance in 1995. Featuring songs like Burn the Witch and Present Tense this album cannot be rated any lower. 

4. OK Computer 

At number 4 we have most new listeners’ favourite album OK Computer released in 1997. This album features such a large amount of  classic bangers to the point that those who aren’t fans still sing along due to the tracks’ popularity. Exit Music (for a Film) was first written for Baz Luhrman’s film Romeo and Juliet and made it onto the album. Their most popular songs Karma Police and No Surprises also find a home on this album. 

3. The Bends 

Starting off our top 3 is Radiohead’s classic album, The Bends, released in 1995. Just is by far the best song on the album as well as other hits such as Fake Plastic Trees and High and Dry. This album is consistent banger after banger and does not let you down. 

2. Kid A  

Opening the new millenium  in the year 2000, with a 47-minute run time, we have Kid A. Despite an amazing flow between tracks, a few songs let the album down as they don’t live up to the standards of How to Disappear Completely and Idioteque holding it back from first place. Treefingers should probably not have made it onto the final album. 

1. In Rainbows Taking home the gold is In Rainbows; released in 2007 with a shorter run time of 42 minutes, this may be one of the best albums of all time. Radiohead initially sold this album as ‘pay what you want’ to value their fans’ appreciation and bypass record labels. Their most consistent album, In Rainbows is definitely underrated given it features songs such as Nude, All I Need and Jigsaw Falling into Place. Truly, no one can hate this masterpiece.