Radiohead: Every Album Ranked From Worst to Best

5. Hail to the Thief (2003)

When Radiohead followed Amnesiac with Hail to the Thief their aim was to record an album quickly and much easier than the exhaustive efforts given to Kid A and Amnesiac. They succeeded on both accounts but also succeeded in creating one of the most interesting albums in the catalogue. Hail to the Thief brought a return to more guitar oriented music while still exploring the electronic sounds that Radiohead had been mastering at this point. The two were blended to no greater effect on Hail to the Thief than on the opener 2+2=5 which is a somber, Orwellian song that is still one of their greatest album openers. The decision to add slower songs to the album like Sail to the Moon and I Will really make this album shine. The diversity showed throughout makes every new track on this album a welcome surprise(something Radiohead are extremely skilled at) while the return albums closer A Wolf at the Door is a menacingly beautiful closer that perfectly sums up the entire record. Key Tracks- 2+2=5, A Wolf at the Door