The Eraser Review

Release Date: Jul 11, 2006
Label: XL
Genres: Indie Electronic, Experimental Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Number Of Tracks: 9
It's definitely not the kind of album you put on to get an instant shot of energy, and at the same time, it doesn't contain anything as sullen as "How To Disappear Completely."

Sound:	7
Lyrics:	7
Impression:	6.8
Overall rating:	6.9
Users rating:	8.5
Comments:	44

overall: 7

Featured review by: anthonyd3ca, on july 11, 2006

Sound: "The Eraser" doesn't sound like a Radiohead record. Sure, there are similarities--the biggest, of course, is Yorke's frail, paranoid vocal delivery. Besides that, however, this is a CD that manages to stand apart from the band's catalog. The greatest difference is how it feels. This isn't an album that completely envelopes and embraces the listener like, say, 2000's "Kid A" or 2001's "Amnesiac." The set is cold, strange, sparse and very distant, even by Yorke's standards, as the vocalist refuses to really invite fans into his world. Thus, the listener becomes a voyeur, peering through a few peepholes and trying to make sense of all that is going on. In a message sent to Radiohead fans, Yorke said that the album would include "more beats and electronics." He makes good on that promise basically from the very start of "The Eraser." The album begins slowly with the bare title track, which mingles simple, sharp keyboard work with minimal electronics, and then continues to build as the beats shoot into overdrive on "Analyse" and "The Clock." // 8

Lyrics and Singing: "Black Swan" is the catchiest and most widely accessible moment on "The Eraser." In fact, this song sounds like it could be a radio hit, if the lyrics weren't almost entirely built around the F-bomb. Not surprisingly, that poppy track is immediately followed by the oddities "Skip Divided" and "Atoms for Peace," the latter of which includes the humorous line "I want to eat your artichoke heart." // 6

Impression: In all, "The Eraser" underscores two things. The first is just how important the other Radiohead guys are to the band's sound. The second is that Yorke can make it with or without them. If it were lost or stolen I might buy it again. // 7

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Izakit, on november 11, 2006

Sound: This is an eery solo debut from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. Inspired by a request to perform a track for the new film 'A Scanner Darkly', Yorke re-explores his electronica side. As a fan of Radiohead's 'Kid A' album, another of Yorke's electronica outputs, I was a little biased towards the album. But 'The Eraser' has out passed all my expectations. Though only nine tracks long, the album has a very moving atmosphere, shifting the listener's mind state within a few short minutes. The sound is one somewhat dark, but what really envelops the listener is the droning under tones and over dubs. The backing vocals, also provided by Yorke, enter the brain and alter it's chemistry. Achieving states of almost narcotic distance from the world. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Yorke excells in Lyrics and their expression as always. His high, almost whiney voice, increasing the tension caused by the music. His lyrics both straight forward and metaphorical at the same time, sometimes almost in the language of the equivocator. The lyrics match the tone of each song perfectly as Yorke proves his songwriting skills once more. His voice complementing every word and emotion. // 9

Impression: This is as good a solo debut as would be expected from someone who's been in the business for so long, but better than most breakaway solo artists. The whole album is masterfully produced. 'Black Swan' and 'Harrowdown Hill' explain my points better than I ever could. // 8

overall: 8.7

Reviewed by: Gwynnell, on october 29, 2007

Sound: Possibly the album that saved Radiohead? Without this dark, sinister solo album from Thom Yorke, Radiohead may well have gone their separate ways, so even if the album is terrible it’s probably allowed more genius to arrive. Lucky it isn’t bad, in fact, it’s very good. ‘The Eraser’, expect thousands of Radiohead ‘fans’ to say, “yeah it’s brilliant” when in fact they think it’s terrible. It’s an album which won’t suit everyone, many tracks sounding like they would fit, not in ‘Kid A’, but in ‘Amnesiac’. The album lacks that edge that we sore in ‘Kid A’ so they wouldn’t fit in but has Thom Yorke lost his touch? By no means! Overall it does feel like a collection of songs not used after the ‘Kid A’ sessions but this doesn’t mean the songs aren’t good. Powerful piano and electronica makes the album not just another solo project that has no real soul and lacks the power of a full band, this may be because Thom played pretty much everything in the ‘Kid A’ sessions but also, his Radiohead colleague Johnny Greenwood has done him a few favours during recording! // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrically, it keeps coming back to one theme, politics. Most noticeably in ‘Harrowdown Hill’ and ‘The Eraser’, Thom chanting “The more you try to erase me, the more I appear” seems to fit in with the way of politics in modern day Britain. The lyrics are brilliant though, flowing perfectly, “Did I fall or was I pushed?” leaves a brilliant effect on the listener, the album makes you think, what sort of country are we living in? Only a genius could sway the opinions of millions through music, so that means Thom Yorke is a genius. That’s not really a surprise though! // 10

Impression: Overall the album is good, noticeable songs being ‘The Eraser’, ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Harrowdown Hill’. It does lack that traditional edge that Radiohead has. It’s something you can put on and forget you’re listening to it. I have fallen asleep to this album many a time, it's soothing, relaxing and a great listen. If you don’t have it, buy it. It isn’t the best album of the year, it isn’t trying to be, it’s a middle-aged man letting out things that he can’t do in his band, but luckily, this middle-aged man is a genius! // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on september 25, 2007

Sound: Just as Yorke promised the album consist mainly of electronic beats, loops, synths and piano. The overall sound is quite "cold" and not too radio-friendly but highly atmospheric. Yorke's vocals flow really nice with all these electronic melodies. It's an album which needs a few listens before you fully understand and appriciate it, just like Radiohead's "Kid A" or "Amnesiac". It's got a strong melancholic and nostalgic aura and really sounds best when heard during the night. The music on this album takes you to places you've never been before and opens a completny new world if you only want to see it. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on "The Eraser" are often very personal, but most of the songs take up the same topics as Radiohead's albums: globalisation, world degradation, the lack of understaing between people. They're often very enigmatic and probably no one besides Yorke knows their true meaning. As I said before the lyrics and Thom's voice match the music perfectly. Some of the most beautiful melodies that Yorke ever came up can be heard here. // 8

Impression: "The Eraser" is maybe not a masterpiece but it's one of the best albums I've heard in some years. The standing out tracks are the title one and "Analyse", "And It Rained All Night", "Cymbal Rush" and the beautiful "Harrodown Hill". The album's production is excelent. It reaches it's full potencial when you hear it on 5.1 speakers, the music simply surrounds you and flows through you, it's something you just have to feel. Too bad the album is only 9 tracks long, and ends so fast. // 9

overall: 2

Reviewed by: chris flatley, on march 29, 2007

Sound: It's almost painful to be a witness to Thom Yorke's journey from one of the most extraordinary live performance bands of recent years to this cold, hollow, unimaginative Windows XP symphony for musical doorbell and car alarm. I can't help comparing this album to Radiohead's Amnesiac, an album of which I'm rather fond, but you won't find a Pyramid Song, Like Spinning Plates, or a Life in a Glasshouse anywhere among this collection of uninspired bleeps and farts. I have nothing against downbeat, melancholy music. I'm a huge fan of people like Tom Waits and Tori Amos, both of whom are masterful when it comes to expressing the darker emotions through music. However, downbeat music needs that extra bit of spark, whether it be aggression, sneer, humour, or just moments of pure uplifting beauty. Downbeat music needs to change gear every now and again to stop it from becoming too monotonous. Radiohead themselves were experts at these gear changes, but it seems that Thom Yorke, as a solo artist, has neglected this important factor. And as a result The Eraser sounds one dimensional and frankly, very boring. The use of crackle and hiss effects to try to replace the brittle electronic sound with a kind of retro, vinyl quality is pretty ironic, and does nothing to redeem this soul-free loop fest. The whold album sounds no better than an amateur's basement experiment and if it were a demo by an unknown artist, you get the feeling that any prospective record label would have filed it in the bin. // 2

Lyrics and Singing: I have to admit that I haven't paid much attention to the lyrics. This album is so musically uninteresting that it is a chore to listen to it anymore than two or three times. Vocally though, Thom Yorke sounds either really stoned or just plain bored, and his melodic phrases are as dull and samey as the repeatative background dirge that is trying to pass itself off as music. // 2

Impression: If Thom Yorke is going to continue to use his computer to create music, then he needs to be a hell of a lot more creative about it because this lazy, cut and paste approach isn't working. Or maybe Yorke just can't cut it on his own. Just as Roger Waters' concepts needed Dave Gilmour's musical sense, and McCartney was really cheesy without Lennon, so too it would appear that Thom Yorke needs John Greenwood. // 2

Comments

[Mortigi Tempo]

I like it a lot though it might not be most peoples cup of tea

[elmolikepie]

Tom has managed to acheive somthing I didnt think could ever be possible by creating a record even more boring than radioheads.

[Gman400]

MORE beats and electronics? The reason I stopped listening to Radiohead was because Kid A is just a bunch of noises and effects and stuff...

[tumples]

lawl,kid a is so much more than a bunch of noises, it just takes time and effort to appreciate it

[Caustic]

I really dig Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief, and I'm a massive fan of electronica, trip-hop etc, so this is right up my alley. It's amazing how such a minimalistic album can evoke so much.

To those detractors of this style, while you may not enjoy it, for christs sake, it's so much more than just "a bunch of noises and effects and stuff". It's tough to create, and takes real skill and knowledge. Acknowledge that even if you don't like it.

[wingedgopher]

figured it would be different, from what ive heard its alright though.

[Cacaking]

i really like this album and im sick of people criticizing the electronic style. just because its not just guitar, bass, drums, and vocals doesnt mean its not good. and if you think its boring its because you dont have the mental capacity to appreciate his music.

[gallagher2006]

I liked this album. it shows that Radiohead's guitar rock isnt the only thing Yorke can do, and that he is more than capable of making it on his own should the band split. wierd thing though - no single releases before the album was released, so it sort of came out of nowhere for me when i bought it yesterday lol.

[mylogon]

In response to the guy that said something to the effect of "it shows that Thom can make it with or without the rest of the band" clearly hasn't looked into the album at all.. both Colin and Jonny participated in the creation and composition of this album - that is why he doesn't want to call it a solo album as it's not true. This truely is an awesome album and should be bought by EVERYONE, even if you downloaded it when it was leaked, it should be purchased 1st hand to make sure the funds go to where they belong, coz lets face it - he deserves every penny. If at first it doesn't make you sing, and swing your head around with every mixing twirl of excitement, then you've not listend to it enough!

[Scrate]

great review

[Love4Bannana]

Im so going to buy it when I get some money

[paintITblack39]

I liked the album

[libertine1989]

i loved it. it was deep and experimentative and at times strangely catchy. hopefully won't lose the greatness after more listens.

[Mortigi Tempo]

I used to hate kid a but when you get used to it you realise that new radiohead is more original innovative and generally much better than old radiohead... ok computer is still my favourite though

[Mortigi Tempo]

gallagher2006 wrote:

I liked this album. it shows that Radiohead's guitar rock isnt the only thing Yorke can do, and that he is more than capable of making it on his own should the band split. wierd thing though - no single releases before the album was released, so it sort of came out of nowhere for me when i bought it yesterday lol.

there will be a single realease with b sides in august I think

[The Demiurge]

i love early radio head i mean come on karma police is 1 the of the my all time favorite songs i hope this folows the trend of the prog i love from them

[Four Symbols]

This album is ****ing awesome-- I love it!

[RadioMuse]

It's Thom, I bought it on faith. Haven't listen to it yet as I also bough Hail to the Theif (finally) and the live I Might Be Wrong EP. I'll make sure to get to it though and write a proper review here soon.

[Gman400]

Umm...no I don't HAVE to appreciate it because I use to respect their music and it's degenerated IMO into crap. Seriously, you know Thom sits in the studio just fooling around with sounds right? That's cool if you like it and you think it evokes emotion or something, but to me it's just sounds and doesn't take any skill whatsoever (actually I know that for a fact because there's almost no instruments being played on Kid A.)

[bountykilla]

The Eraser is an excellent album. Even if you don't personally enjoy the music or connect with the lyrics you can appreciate the fact that it's unique. The market is flooded with pop rock and rap, so it's a refreshing change to see Thom Yorke releasing his album through musicianship, not market demand. Harrowdown Hill is definitely one of the major highlights of the album. I have every radiohead album released, and after listening to them for a long time it's good that Thom took the alternate route and provided something that you wouldn't expect. I would give it a 9/10. Can't wait for the new Radiohead album next year!

[Sephirangel]

The Eraser is a very very good album and seems to delve further into the mind of Mr Yorke, but i do think the beats and electronics could have been toned down a little bit
cant beat the classic The Bends and Ok Computer albums

[cap'nkirk]

gallagher2006 wrote:

I liked this album. it shows that Radiohead's guitar rock isnt the only thing Yorke can do, and that he is more than capable of making it on his own should the band split. wierd thing though - no single releases before the album was released, so it sort of came out of nowhere for me when i bought it yesterday lol.

that's kind of been seen/known for some time now.

[I_Dont_Know]

it sounded like the guy was making fun of thom yorke at first!!!

Gman400 wrote:

Umm...no I don't HAVE to appreciate it because I use to respect their music and it's degenerated IMO into crap. Seriously, you know Thom sits in the studio just fooling around with sounds right? That's cool if you like it and you think it evokes emotion or something, but to me it's just sounds and doesn't take any skill whatsoever (actually I know that for a fact because there's almost no instruments being played on Kid A.)

yeah he fiddles around with noises but then again... how are guitar riffs made, by simple fiddling around on a guitar! and the unstrument to make the beeps is still a musical instrument because techno is still a style of music! I'll admit old radiohead is better (new stuff still good) just don't talk trash about it!

[burndttoast]

I agree with you I_Dont_Know. Sure his sounds aren't made from those mainstream musical instruments, but it doesn't mean the sounds have no emotion behind it or any skill to be involved in making them. Now this is not to bash anyone who doesn't like Thom's music or Radiohead's techno-ish stuff, but I'd like to see you people piece together compositions like he/they can with those machines they use.

[kiwitabber]

Good on them for using Techno beats. It takes skill, However, in my opinion Radiohead's epic sound is diminished when artificial beats are made. I hope like hell that the upcoming album has more delights akin to Go To Sleep, Just, Paranoid Android, There There etc... Those songs are brilliant pieces of work and I'd love to hear just a few more of those before the band finally dies.

[smileyface]

a?

[smileyface]

hello?

[smileyface]

elmolikepie :
Tom has managed to acheive somthing I didnt think could ever be possible by creating a record even more boring than radioheads.

Lol....they why do you buy/listen to a solo recording deriving from a band that is apparently "boring"? Go listen to your linkin park garbage then. Anyone who says Thom Yorke or Radiohead is "boring" clearly has a very shallow appreciation for music or the sonic beauty and textures enveloped in it, and I don't think I could ever fully respect anyone who I ever heard saying those words and wasn't being sarcastic or joking.....loser

[Hi9]

Just thought I'd clarify... Kid A isn't all computer bleeps and noises... it's almost entirely their normal instruments (well, as normal for them... most people don't have an ondes martenot sittin around). The only electronic sounds are the effects they put on the instruments or Jonny's big Analogue Systems modular synth... and some might find that particular synth more difficult to play than the guitar. Anyone who trashes Kid A for being computer noises has clearly never really listened to it at all.

[kalamari]

Why review The Eraser as a Radiohead album? Sure, there are big similarities, but this is Yorke's album, and should be listened to as such. Ok, the texture of Radiohead as a band is phenomenal, but it is refreshing to hear Yorke in a less busy texture in his own environment.

[playerpiano]

nicely put Hi9, anybody that thinks the computer stuff is easy nonsense, try buying reason 3.0 and come up with some stuff like the album. its alot harder than you think. radiohead is a tremendous band and they have nothing to prove, they have already proven their legacy and it just keeps expanding.....

[Mcassidy42]

You know what they say, there are poeple who can't stand Kid A and there are those who love it. I loved it. Havn't bought this one yet, but once I my paycheck this week, it's off to the record store.

[vilhelm_nielsen]

This is a great album, though I do prefer Radiohead. This album shows how creative Thom Yorke is, and how much Radiohead influence their music.

[epy]

I absolutely love this cd. I suggest this cd to anyone looking for a change

[BlisteredNRaw]

A great album... didn't like it at first, but after a while it really grew on me and I loved it, it's really a good album when you listen to it that bit more, and the last 2 or 3 tracks are breathtaking.

Some may compare it to Kid A/Amnesiac, but I think Kid A is an extremely dark album when you get into it. I reckon the similarities to Radiohead are quite far apart on this CD.

[Teh_Zombie]

I got it the other day, and it's awesome. I'd definitely recommend it.

[Strokesofgenius]

Thom yorke has a bum eye

[Draft Morning]

Definitely not Radiohead. It's more along the lines of somethng Brian Eno or David Bryne would do. This album does definitely grow on you. But there's just not enough there between the electronic bells and whistles to grab ahold of. My fave tracks are of course "Black Swan", "Rained All Night" and "Harrowdown Hill". And Listen to "Skip Divided" on headphones and hear why Yorke is one of the most inventive vocalists around.

[Draft Morning]

To the guy who said there's no "instruments" on Kid A-- get your head out of your ass! There are more instruments used on that record than you've probably even heard of. Go back and actually listen to it.

[bassplayer496]

Harrowdown hill is an amazing song.
~Love, Dallas~

[joeld]

its good but needs a few listens and thom still has his knack for forgetting to write a tune in the midst of experimenting.

[SethMegadefan]

Gman400 wrote:

Umm...no I don't HAVE to appreciate it because I use to respect their music and it's degenerated IMO into crap. Seriously, you know Thom sits in the studio just fooling around with sounds right? That's cool if you like it and you think it evokes emotion or something, but to me it's just sounds and doesn't take any skill whatsoever (actually I know that for a fact because there's almost no instruments being played on Kid A.)

Wow, Gman, I never knew you felt this way about Radiohead. Kid A happens to be my favorite album pretty much of all time... I don't understand how one who's a Radiohead fan could possibly not like it. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but their music hasn't degenerated into crap. They've pretty much stayed consistent, if not gotten better over the years. Kid A's just an amazing feat of music, in my perspective. I guess an opinion's an opinion...

[tbarrettl]

I like this album and The Voice and Lyrics of Thom, still being a fan this is hard to digest after Amnesiac and Kid-A.

[tbarrettl]

Hard to Digest but not Bad and Even can be Catchy, A Few Weeks ago FYE was advertising this album FYI.