Radiohead is a group that constantly manages to defy the odds and go against normality. Radiohead is a British rock group whose first two albums were strictly alternative rock records. Their third studio album, also alternative rock, introduced their more artistic side by incorporating art rock as a lesser apparent genre. Their fourth album, Kid A, despite the widespread critical acclaim from their previous record, diverged completely from alternative rock and delved into the electronic and experimental rock genres.
Overwhelmed from the stress of promoting OK Computer, lead vocalist and songwriter Thom Yorke wanted to stray away from their alternative rock origins. The whole band suffered from burnout and Thom Yorke even said that he had fallen ill and was “a complete fucking mess … completely unhinged” In the recording of Kid A, they used instruments that parted from mainstream rock instruments and used instruments such as modular synthesizers, ondes Martenot, brass, and processed guitar sounds. A large portion of the lyrics consists of cut-up words and phrases that are arranged in random order.
Radiohead wanted to keep most of the release a secret so they did not release any singles, videos, and did very few interviews. They also stayed on the cutting edge of society by using the internet as a promotional tool. The album was streamable online and included short videos and artwork.
Their album, yet again, received widespread critical acclaim, and Times magazine named it the best album of the 2000s. Radiohead managed to avoid becoming irrelevant due to burnout and continued to release many more records of the same caliber, including In Rainbows and A Moon Shaped Pool.