4. Amnesiac
Largely recorded at the same time as Kid A, 2001s Amnesiac was seen by some as an outtakes album, but that assessment falls short of doing it justice. For one it features the bands greatest single achievement, the charmingly simplistic and stunningly gorgeous Pyramid Song, which Ed OBrien called the best song we've recorded." It is also notable for its moments of clear anger from Yorkes lyrics. Dollars And Cents is inspired by Naomi Kleins No Logo, and is a tirade against peoples powerlessness in the face of capitalism. You And Whose Army? meanwhile is a 1940s doo-wop inspired critique of Tony Blair. It even features the late, great trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton and his band on meandering album closer Life In A Glasshouse. Despite its initial assessment, the fact it didnt sound much like Kid A was a positive for many, and while that album has grown in stature, Amnesiac is a great record in its own right. Its highs are as good as any in the bands career, and this was reflected when Amnesiac became Radioheads second album to gain a Mercury Prize nomination, and their fourth nominated for a Grammy.