Radiohead

Hail to the Thief

First released2003

Hail to the Thief was recorded between 2002 and 2003 across multiple locations including Cutteslowe, Oxford and various studios, following Radiohead's experimental period with Kid A and Amnestic. The album was produced by Radiohead themselves alongside Nigel Godrich, their longtime collaborator who had worked on previous albums and served as engineer and mixer. The band employed a diverse range of recording techniques, blending digital and analog methods, with notable use of field recordings, samples, and live instrumentation alongside electronic elements. The production reflected a transitional period where Radiohead sought to reintegrate live guitar-driven rock elements while maintaining the experimental electronic textures they had developed. The album was released in June 2003 and marked a stylistic shift toward more guitar-oriented compositions compared to their previous two albums, though retaining their progressive approach to songwriting and production.