Radiohead Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
Trying to rank the albums of Radiohead is a monumental task. Few bands have a discography so consistently celebrated, yet so fiercely debated among fans.
Each album represents a seismic shift, a new chapter in a story of relentless innovation. The question of the "best Radiohead album" often depends on which version of the band you connected with first.
In this deep dive, we're exploring the Radiohead albums ranked, letting fan sentiment be our primary guide. We'll also look at how their catalog stacks up based on current popularity data. Let's begin this fascinating journey.
Ranking Radiohead's albums: The fan favorites
Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.
We're starting with the most beloved.
1. OK Computer (1997)
Released in 1997, OK Computer is the third studio album from Radiohead. It marked a significant departure from the more guitar-centric style of their previous work.
The album's abstract lyrics and densely layered sound laid the groundwork for the band's later, more experimental phases. Its themes explored a world grappling with consumerism, social alienation, and the unease of modern life.
Despite the record label's concerns that it was uncommercial, OK Computer became a massive success. It hit number one in the UK and expanded the band's international fame, eventually being preserved in the US Library of Congress for its cultural significance.
Key tracks:
- Let Down
- No Surprises
It's no surprise that OK Computer tops the fan-voted list. For many, it's not just Radiohead's masterpiece but one of the greatest albums ever made.
Its blend of prescient themes, ambitious song structures, and raw emotional power creates an experience that continues to resonate deeply with listeners decades later.
2. Kid A (2000)
Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A, represented a radical reinvention. The band incorporated influences from electronic music, krautrock, and jazz, moving decisively away from their established sound.
The recording sessions were famously difficult, with Thom Yorke experiencing writer's block and the band struggling to find a new direction. This led to a focus on texture and rhythm over traditional rock song structures.
Upon release, Kid A was a polarizing work that divided critics and fans. Yet, it debuted at number one in both the UK and the US, proving the band's commercial power even as they challenged their audience.
Key tracks:
- Everything In Its Right Place
- How to Disappear Completely
Holding the second spot, Kid A has earned its place as a fan favorite through its sheer audacity and artistic vision.
What was once seen as a difficult turn is now celebrated as a brave and brilliant leap. Its influence and mystique have only grown, solidifying its status as a landmark album of the 21st century.
3. The Bends (1995)
The Bends is Radiohead's second studio album. It was a crucial release that elevated the band beyond the "one-hit-wonder" status they risked after their debut single, "Creep".
Produced by John Leckie, the album features a mix of soaring guitar anthems and introspective ballads. The arrangements are more restrained and the lyrics more cryptic than on their debut, Pablo Honey.
The recording sessions were tense, with the band feeling immense pressure to deliver. The result was an album that reached number four in the UK and received widespread critical acclaim, setting the stage for their future triumphs.
Key tracks:
- Fake Plastic Trees
- High and Dry
As the third most-loved album, The Bends holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. It's the moment Radiohead truly became the band we know today.
Its impeccable songwriting and timeless alt-rock sound make it an enduring classic. It's both a perfect entry point for new listeners and a comforting favorite for long-time followers.
4. In Rainbows (2007)
In Rainbows, Radiohead's seventh studio album, was famous for both its music and its revolutionary release strategy. It was self-released online with a "pay-what-you-want" model, challenging the music industry.
The album was recorded after a period of creative struggle and a fruitless collaboration with another producer. The band re-enlisted Nigel Godrich, who helped them shape a more direct and personal record.
Sonically, the album is warmer and more intimate than much of their previous work. The lyrics are less political, focusing more on personal themes of life, death, and love.
Key tracks:
- All I Need
- Jigsaw Falling Into Place
The immense love for In Rainbows, placing it fourth, is a testament to its emotional depth and accessibility.
Many fans feel this album strikes a perfect balance between the band's experimental tendencies and their gift for melody. It's a beautiful, human record that feels both innovative and classic.
5. Pablo Honey (1993)
Pablo Honey is the debut studio album by Radiohead, released in 1993. It was produced by Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie, chosen to help the band target the American market.
The album is defined by the massive, unexpected success of its lead single, "Creep." The song's popularity gradually built through international radio play, eventually making the band a global name.
While often viewed as less developed than their later work, Pablo Honey captures the raw energy of a young band. The members of Radiohead themselves have since been critical of the album, citing their inexperience in the studio.
Key tracks:
- Creep
- Blow Out
Ranking at number five, Pablo Honey's position reflects its complex legacy. It's the album that started it all, containing one of the most iconic songs of the 90s.
While some fans find it an outlier in their discography, many appreciate its youthful angst and straightforward rock sound. It remains a crucial, if sometimes complicated, part of the Radiohead story.
6. Amnesiac (2001)
Amnesiac was recorded during the same sessions as its predecessor, Kid A. The band felt the body of work was too dense for a double album and decided to split it into two separate releases.
The album continues the experimental path of Kid A, with influences from electronic music, jazz, and classical. However, it often feels darker and more fractured, like a collection of strange, forgotten memories.
Unlike Kid A, this album was promoted with traditional singles, "Pyramid Song" and "Knives Out," which helped give it a distinct identity despite its shared origins.
Key tracks:
- Pyramid Song
- Knives Out
Often seen as the twisted sibling of Kid A, Amnesiac's placement at number six shows it has a dedicated following. Fans admire its challenging nature and avant-garde spirit.
While some view it as a collection of outtakes, its defenders argue that it stands on its own as a uniquely unsettling and compelling work of art.
7. A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
Radiohead's ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, is a deeply atmospheric and melancholic record. It heavily features strings and choral vocals arranged by guitarist Jonny Greenwood.
Several songs on the album were written years earlier. This includes the fan-favorite "True Love Waits," which the band had tried to record for two decades before finally settling on the sparse piano arrangement heard here.
The album's lyrics are often interpreted as a response to the end of Thom Yorke's long-term relationship. Themes of heartbreak, loss, and acceptance permeate the record, giving it a powerful emotional core.
Key tracks:
- True Love Waits
- Daydreaming
As one of the band's more recent works, A Moon Shaped Pool's position reflects its status as a mature, sorrowful masterpiece. Fans praise its stunning orchestration and haunting beauty.
It's an album that rewards patient listening, revealing layers of texture and emotion that feel both devastating and deeply cathartic.
8. Hail To the Thief (2003)
Hail To the Thief saw Radiohead attempting to merge their electronic explorations with their rock roots. The band sought a more spontaneous recording process, capturing many tracks in live takes.
Thom Yorke's lyrics were heavily influenced by the political climate of the early 2000s, particularly the unfolding "war on terror." He borrowed phrases from political discourse and combined them with elements from fairy tales and folklore.
At 14 tracks, it is one of the band's longer albums. This led some to feel it was less cohesive, a point the band members themselves have acknowledged in hindsight.
Key tracks:
- There, There
- 2 + 2 = 5
This album's ranking often sparks debate among fans. Some consider it an underrated gem, full of brilliant and diverse tracks that showcase all sides of the band.
Others find it sprawling and unfocused compared to their more tightly curated albums. Regardless, its blend of paranoid energy and powerful rock moments has secured it a firm, if contested, place in their catalog.
9. The King Of Limbs (2011)
Radiohead's eighth album, The King Of Limbs, is one of their most rhythmically complex and abstract works. It was developed through extensive sampling and looping of the band's own playing.
The album is dense and layered, with a focus on texture and groove over conventional song structures. At just 37 minutes, it is also Radiohead's shortest studio album.
Upon release, its unconventional nature and brevity divided listeners. The subsequent live performances, captured in the "From the Basement" session, helped many fans better connect with its intricate arrangements.
Key tracks:
- Lotus Flower
- Codex
Perhaps Radiohead's most challenging record for casual listeners, The King Of Limbs is a true "grower." Its lower fan ranking reflects its less immediate appeal.
However, those who dive into its hypnotic rhythms find a deeply rewarding and unique sonic world. It's an album that continues to reveal its secrets over time.
10. I Might Be Wrong (2001)
This live album captures performances from Radiohead's 2001 tour. It focuses exclusively on material from their then-recent albums, Kid A and Amnesiac.
The record showcases how the band rearranged their complex studio creations for the stage. It demonstrates the "human element" returning to songs that were initially built through studio experimentation.
A major highlight for fans is the inclusion of the first official release of "True Love Waits," performed here as a stark, acoustic solo piece by Thom Yorke.
Key tracks:
- True Love Waits - Live in Oslo
- Like Spinning Plates - Live
As a live album, I Might Be Wrong naturally sits differently in the ranking compared to studio efforts. Fans appreciate it as a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the band's career.
The raw, energetic versions of these songs are a treat, offering a powerful counterpoint to their highly produced studio counterparts.
11. TKOL RMX 1234567 (2011)
This album is a compilation of remixes of songs from The King of Limbs. It features contributions from a host of acclaimed electronic artists like Four Tet, Caribou, and Jamie xx.
The project reflects the band's deep interest in electronic music and remix culture. They wanted to see how other artists would deconstruct and "mutate" their rhythm-focused tracks.
The remixes were initially released as a series of 12-inch vinyl singles before being compiled into this comprehensive collection.
Key tracks:
- Little By Little - Caribou Rmx
- Lotus Flower - Jacques Greene Rmx
A remix album will always be for a more niche audience, which explains its position on the list. It's a project for fans who are also deeply invested in the world of electronic music.
It stands as an interesting companion piece, showing how the DNA of The King Of Limbs could be reinterpreted for the dancefloor and beyond.
Picked your top Radiohead classic? Check out Radiohead's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.
Radiohead albums: A look at popularity data
While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.
This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.
Below is a ranking of Radiohead's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.
| Popularity Rank | Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OK Computer | 1997 |
| 2 | In Rainbows | 2007 |
| 3 | Pablo Honey | 1993 |
| 4 | The Bends | 1995 |
| 5 | Kid A | 2000 |
| 6 | A Moon Shaped Pool | 2016 |
| 7 | OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 | 2017 |
| 8 | Amnesiac | 2001 |
| 9 | Hail To the Thief | 2003 |
| 10 | KID A MNESIA | 2021 |
| 11 | In Rainbows (Disk 2) | 2007 |
| 12 | The King Of Limbs | 2011 |
| 13 | I Might Be Wrong | 2001 |
| 14 | TKOL RMX 1234567 | 2011 |
Quick FAQs about Radiohead's albums
Q: What makes Radiohead's album OK Computer so significant?
A: Its significance comes from its prescient themes of technology and alienation, and its sound. The album's dense, layered style was a major shift away from the Britpop trend and laid the groundwork for the band's future experimental work.
Q: Was OK Computer considered commercial when it was released?
A: No, the band's label, EMI, actually had low sales estimates and considered it uncommercial and difficult to market. Despite this, it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and became a global success.
So there it is, our exploration of Radiohead's albums ranked.
It's clear that from fan sentiment to streaming data, the conversation around their catalog is rich and varied. Each album is a world unto itself.
Ultimately, the best Radiohead album is the one that means the most to you. It's about the personal connection and the moments their music soundtracks in our lives.