"Amnesiac," the fifth studio album by English rock band Radiohead, emerged on May 30, 2001, following the critically acclaimed "Kid A" (2000). Recorded during the same sessions as its predecessor, the album reflects Radiohead's bold experimentation with electronic, classical, jazz, and krautrock influences. Notable collaborations include "Life in a Glasshouse" with jazz trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton.
While "Kid A" saw no singles, Radiohead promoted "Amnesiac" with tracks like "Pyramid Song" and "Knives Out," supported by striking music videos. The album's tour, starting in June 2001, marked the band's return to North America after a three-year hiatus.
Debuting atop the UK Albums Chart and reaching second on the US Billboard 200, "Amnesiac" sold over 900,000 copies globally by October 2008. Despite some critics finding it overly experimental or disjointed compared to "Kid A," the album garnered positive reviews and earned recognition as one of the year's best releases.
"Amnesiac" received nominations for the Mercury Prize and several Grammy Awards, winning Best Recording Package for its special edition. Tracks like "Pyramid Song" were lauded as some of the decade's finest, and the album secured a spot in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
In 2021, Radiohead commemorated the album's anniversary with "Kid A Mnesia," a reissue bundling "Kid A," "Amnesiac," and previously unreleased material, solidifying the album's enduring impact on music history.
