Hail to the Thief is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released on 9 June 2003 through Parlophone internationally and a day later through Capitol Records in the United States. It was the last album released under Radiohead's record contract with EMI, the parent company of Parlophone and Capitol.
At the suggestion of producer Nigel Godrich, most of Hail to the Thief was recorded in two weeks in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Hollywood culture influenced the lyrics and artwork.
The phrase "hail to the thief" was used by protesters during the controversy surrounding the 2000 US presidential election.
Jonny Greenwood used the ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument, on several tracks.
Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. They comprise Thom Yorke ; brothers Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood (bass); Ed O'Brien ; and Philip Selway. They have worked with the producer Nigel Godrich and the cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. Radiohead's experimental approach is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock.
Radiohead in the mid-2010s. From left to right: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Philip Selway.
Abingdon School, where the band formed
Advertisement placed in the Oxford music magazine Curfew announcing On a Friday's change of name
The Bends marked Radiohead's first collaboration with the producer Nigel Godrich (top) and the artist Stanley Donwood, both of whom have worked on every Radiohead album since.