This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

In Rainbows

Radiohead

2007

Buy At Rough Trade
In Rainbows
Album Summary

In Rainbows is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was self-released on 10 October 2007 as a pay-what-you-want download, followed by a physical release internationally through XL Recordings and in North America through TBD Records. It was Radiohead's first release after their recording contract with EMI ended with their album Hail to the Thief (2003). Radiohead began work on In Rainbows in early 2005. In 2006, after initial recording sessions with new producer Spike Stent proved fruitless, the band toured Europe and North America, performing the new material. After re-enlisting longtime producer Nigel Godrich, Radiohead recorded in the country houses Halswell House and Tottenham House, the Hospital Club in London, and their studio in Oxfordshire. They incorporated a variety of styles, using conventional rock instrumentation plus electronic instruments, strings, piano and the ondes Martenot. The lyrics are less political and more personal than previous Radiohead albums. EMI, which had been recently acquired by Terra Firma, hoped to sign Radiohead to a new record contract; however, Radiohead did not trust the new management and negotiations collapsed over ownership of their back catalogue. Instead, they self-released In Rainbows online and allowed fans to set their own price, saying this liberated them from conventional promotional formats and removed barriers to audiences. The pay-what-you-want release, the first for a major act, drew international media attention and created debate about the implications for the music industry; many praised Radiohead for challenging old models and finding new ways to connect with fans, while others felt it set a dangerous precedent at the expense of less successful artists. Radiohead promoted In Rainbows with webcasts, music videos, remix and music video competitions, and a worldwide tour. "Jigsaw Falling into Place" and "Nude" were released as singles; "Nude" became Radiohead's first US top-40 song since their debut single "Creep" (1992). The retail release of In Rainbows topped the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, and by October 2008 it had sold over three million copies worldwide; it is certified platinum in the UK and Canada and gold in the US, Belgium and Japan. In Rainbows received critical acclaim, winning Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, and was ranked one of the best albums of the year and the decade by various publications. Rolling Stone included In Rainbows on its updated lists of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time at number 336 in 2012 and number 387 in 2020.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.85

Votes

12409
Genres
Rock
Indie

Reviews

Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by: Top Date
View Author
Thu May 20 2021
2

If you told me this was the same song ten times, I'd believe you.

👍
View Author
Fri May 07 2021
5

Radiohead is one of the bands I've always wanted to love but still haven't quite embraced to their fullest. Their originality, musicality, expressiveness, talent, the undeniable influence on so many others; it's all there. I don't really understand why I haven't connected more strongly with this band. Kind of a "perfect match on paper but for some reason, no chemistry" story for me. Giving 5 stars to show the respect they deserve.

👍
View Author
Fri May 14 2021
2

A generous 2 here, difficult to score as it’s hard to hear the tunes over the sound of Thom Yorke sniffing his own rose scented flatulence while peddling the latest incarnation of the musical equivalent of the emperors new clothes.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
1

“If Thom Yorke fucking shit into a light bulb … it’d get 9/10” -Noel Gallagher Jeg skulle ønske jeg klarte å like Radiohead.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 11 2021
5

Listening conditions - home theatre, without distraction. Albums First Rodeo? - No way Stand out tracks 15 Step - wonderful guitar, sick drum and bass style beat - that time signature!!!!! Bodysnatchers - classic Radiohead track. Like something from the early era. Turn it up! All I Need - moody electro and unsettling lyrics carry this track to it’s perfect crescendo. Jigsaw Falling Into Place - I was close to awarding a stand out to the track before, House of Cards for its attempt at a striped back track. Then JFIP hits with the perfect balance of simplicity and production. One of the best tracks outside of the powerhouse duo up front. Videotape - Play is out boys, play us out No misses to note what a phenomenal album.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 15 2021
5

Excellent. It doesn't get more Radiohead than a song about a video recording you'll leave behind after you die

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 01 2023
3

Gloomy and mellow, with plenty of imaginative ideas to keep the listener intrigued. "No matter what happens now, you shouldn't be afraid because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen" Lovely lyrics on the closing track! A pleasant way to end the album.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 15 2021
3

My first experience with Radiohead. I want to hear more, but I think I did them. This album wasn't distinctive enough to really capture my attention the whole time, but the music was good. I'll be back for more

👍
View Author
Fri Dec 17 2021
2

I just don't like Radiohead.

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 02 2021
1

Probably one of the worst albums I’ve ever heard

👍
View Author
Fri Jun 18 2021
5

Amazing. A fucking masterpiece of worldclass. The motifs they use in their songs can be described as intriguing, intense and insidious. They perfectly combine dark tones with dark lyrics in their more oppressive songs. They know when to rattle you with some upbeat melodies with harsh vocals and accompanying instruments. I have had a deep respect for Radiohead for experimenting, but damn I don't think I've ever heard this album before.

👍
View Author
Sat Feb 13 2021
5

This album did not let me cold. Firstly when I listened to it I would certainly rate it a 4. Fortunately I kept thinking about it the whole day and suddenly I listened to it two more times. First 5 of this list

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 01 2022
1

I really tried to give this a listen with an open mind, honestly I did. Unfortunately it's the same unfinished-sounding noodly background music with whining on top that I've come to expect from these Emperor's New Clothes incarnate. Horrible

👍
View Author
Sun Aug 06 2023
1

Radiohead's current description on Spotify starts with "At some point in the early 21st century, Radiohead became something more than a band." Ugh. What in the self-righteous pretentiousness. These guys really came together to make yet another self-indulgent piece of work. Sure, there were moments where the music was actually a bit catchy. But then it would by drowned out by another stretch of random nonsense, or Thom Yorke's whining. Enough with the Radiohead records please 😩

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 20 2020
5

Nice, I guess I like radiohead

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 31 2021
5

Hunting guitars and vocals combine to create an incredible album.

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 23 2021
5

Putting the rad in Radiohead.

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 25 2021
5

Another classic. It's super complex and experimental but extremely well mixed. Would have to listen for a while for it to really like, click, but has one of my favorite songs on there - Videotape

👍
View Author
Thu Mar 11 2021
1

An hour of the sound you make when for an hour you have been making an amazing curry but at the last moment realise you have no rice!

👍
View Author
Sat Feb 05 2022
1

Gross. This is my "being contrarian" musical opinion: I just can't fucking stand Radiohead. They're in the same class as Coldplay for me, pretentious music for pseudo intellectuals who think they have taste. Can we get a Muse album up in here instead please?

👍
View Author
Tue May 04 2021
5

Beautiful songs and instrumentation. Everything flows - feels very cohesive. Not even my favourite Radiohead album, but still a masterpiece.

👍
View Author
Tue May 04 2021
5

The androids find life, love, and oblivion all at once.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 01 2021
5

A fave of mine :) Listened on Vinyl!

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
5

One of my all-time favorites

👍
View Author
Sun May 02 2021
5

Con Radiohead tengo una relación bastante cordial, jaja, porque me gustan los discos que he escuchado, aunque no me clavo con ellos. Son pocas ocasiones en las que me dan muchas ganas de escucharlos y bueno, ahora tras reescuchar el In Rainbows con intención de evaluarlo, quiero decir que es un disco sin skips para mí. Hay muchas cosa acá, mezclas, con cuerdas, percusiones, que su rock, que sus sonidos electrónicos, etc. Me gusta todo, desde lo más "rockero", como "Bodysnatchers" o "Jigsaw Falling Into Pieces", hasta lo que son casi baladas, como "Nude" o "Videotape" con su pianito. "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" me gusta mucho también. Un sonido que pues yo digo que sí ha dejado huella para muchas bandas. También muy padre eso de haberlo lanzado en línea y que pagaras lo que gustaras por él. 9.5/10

👍
View Author
Fri Feb 19 2021
5

Maybe not as popular as the their earlier works, but a true masterpiece of song crafting and sound dynamics.

👍
View Author
Sun May 02 2021
5

Nunca entendí el mame por Radiohead, solo escuchaba algunas canciones (incluida Creep porque basic). De este álbum conocía solo “House of cards” que sí me gustaba bien. La verdad debo admitir que este disco me pareció bastante ok, a mi lista de canciones de Radiohead que aguanto ahora agrego “Bodysnatchers” y “Reckoner”. Aunque no sé bien cómo evaluarlos, voy a ser benévola porque cuando vi que tocaba un disco de ellos sentí mucha hueva pero escucharlos fue una bonita sorpresa.

👍
View Author
Mon Aug 30 2021
5

Not listened to this for years but still sounds great to me. Kind of the mid point of old Radiohead and new, it's got the classic song structures but no guitar solos (unfortunately)

👍
View Author
Mon Dec 06 2021
5

I know this is a 5, so I'm attempting to review without recently listening to the album. The details are fuzzy, but when I think about In Rainbows I think relaxed. I think about their performance of the album from the basement more than the studio version. They seem like a real band - just the 5 (6?) middle aged dudes standing in a round, facing each other, listening to each other, jamming. It also sounds exactly like the studio album. Flawless but jammy. Thom sounds less uptight when he has a guitar strapped on instead of sitting in front of a MIDI controller and Pro Tools. Did the subject matter change as well? I can't think of a single track that has the classic Radiohead isolation-by-dehumanizing-corporate-technology vibe. The standout memory of In Rainbows is the end of the song (Nude?) where the vocals finish with that ascending major "ahhhh". It's so uncharacteristicly angelic and unironic. I picture Thom's cranky ass rising into the clouds, naked as a hairless cat, yellow-toothed smile, and a halo. A+

👍
View Author
Mon Oct 24 2022
5

Like the hypomanic brother to Kid A's depression. Fantastic stuff, through and through.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 27 2023
5

I don’t know what I expected, but not this? I’ve admittedly haven’t listened to Radiohead much outside of Creep. I think I’ve been missing out. This album is interesting musically and lyrically. Kind of like rock, jazz, and EDM mixed into one.

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 02 2023
5

Most Radiohead albums I can only appreciate like a beast observed in the wilderness: I can see and hear the beauty and power, but I don’t feel invited to go up and snuggle. I love In Rainbows. This and Moon Shaped Pool are the only two Radiohead albums that I truly love. Radiohead have always been an enigma to me: why do people love this complicated, somewhat whiny band with a lead singer you can’t understand, and obtuse music that is nether especially rocking or especially spacey: caught in the Twilight Zone. Lyrics and vocals have always been central to my love of music, but since my older brother loved Radiohead and would anticipate each new release with excitement, I tried my best to find something to love. In Rainbows cracked the code. Here was an album with grooving, energetic, rocking music that nonetheless maintained that complex core, while also inviting the listener to enjoy and partake in their musical joy. It offered me a greater appreciation for their other work. Bonus props to them for the unique release strategy.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 03 2023
5

10/10. my early adolescence. this is in my all time top 10, maybe 5

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 16 2023
5

I would have said this is my second favorite Radiohead album after "Kid A", but you know what? It might tie for first place. It doesn't hurt that it came out while I was living in Japan, deep in the honeymoon phase, where everything was groovy. Love the atmosphere of this album, blending urgency with otherworldly - exactly my jam. Fave tracks - "Videotape" is such a badass closer. Most of the other tracks could get individual mentions, too. And if we're expanding things to disc 2, "Last Flowers" is stunning...

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 16 2023
5

This is Radiohead at the peak of their powers. What's remarkable is I'm not sure any of these songs would be in anyone's top five radiohead songs. But half of them are probably in my top 10. This is one of the few LPs where you are compelled to listen end to end. The sequence and transitions from song to song are brilliant. Just like a jigsaws falling into place.

👍
View Author
Sat Nov 18 2023
5

I love this album. Every song hits. It’s full of emotion, the lyrics are great, thom’s vocals are pristine and angelic. The drums on this thing are hypnotic, the pattern on weird fishes is so good. Nude is devastating. The distortion and rage of body snatchers is cathartic. Videotape sounds like I’m dying alone in a dungeon. All I need is what took me to that dungeon. Perfect album.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 24 2023
5

My favourite Radiohead album. The songs have such an energy that hasn't been recaptured in their work before or since. I'd say it's their most accessible album. Every instrument and note has a purpose and every time I listen to it I hear new elements. It's recorded beautiful and every element can be heard clearly. An incredible album that has aged beautifully.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 24 2023
5

The first album in this project that I own on vinyl. Radiohead are my Beatles and this is one of their best. They do what other bands can't which is evolve, stay ahead of their fanbases and maintain an incredible level of quality. This album has some of the best Radiohead tracks ever, but I can pick anything out as the album is so good. I'm giving this 5 stars but it's also made me wish I'd not given previous 5 stars out as this is a cut above.

👍
View Author
Mon Nov 27 2023
5

This might be my 4th favourite Radiohead album. Easy 5 :D

👍
View Author
Sun Dec 03 2023
5

Love love this album. Lyrics, music, Thom's voice. Arpegios

👍
View Author
Mon Dec 04 2023
5

I love Radiohead. And this album is no exception. Haunting and beautiful. Perfect way to close out the work week.

👍
View Author
Tue Oct 31 2023
4

I've listened to this before. I wanted to give it a 3 before re-listening. Then I listened again. It's so good. Minimum a 4.

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 02 2023
4

Solid album but definitely had some obscurity to it. I’m not familiar with radioheads game so not sure where this falls on their discography, but I’d dint hate it. And I’d probably listen to some of these songs again.

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 16 2023
4

I really need to spend some more time with Radiohead. It was raining while listening to this and House Of Cards and Videotape stole the show for the vibe.

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 30 2023
4

This is a really neat album. Some Alice in Wonderland meets Post Punk vibes. A lot of neat experimentation and very satisfying as a whole. Fav tracks: Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes / Arpeggi, All I Need

👍
View Author
Sat Dec 02 2023
4

Liked it, a couple of really great songs. My favorite is still OK Computer.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 19 2021
3

I remember what a big deal this one was. I think they sold it online and anyone could pay whatever amount they wanted to pay for it. Everyone lost their shit over it too, but I never really thought it was that great. I still don't. OK Computer is the quintessential Radiohead album as far as I'm concerned. This is fine, and Reckoner and Jigsaw Falling into Place are great. And I know they have a huge following and they're geniuses at melding instruments with tech music, but it's still a "meh" for me.

👍
View Author
Thu Nov 02 2023
3

not in my top 3 radiohead albums. Took me a while to come around to the very punchy avant-garde sounds throughout many of the tracks. All I need is in my top 7 radiohead songs though so gets a bump for that.

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 06 2021
2

I felt asleep. I rather be sick than listening to this album.

👍
View Author
Mon May 03 2021
1

Radiohead again? Convinced this is the only way they will be heard is on a required listen list. Not me cup of tea💂🏻

👍
View Author
Tue May 04 2021
1

PLEASE give me a decent album to listen to instead of more garbage

👍
View Author
Fri Aug 20 2021
1

Wow. You either have to be a huge nerd or high on god knows what drug to like this

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 14 2024
1

Terrible. Couldn’t get through it. Tried a couple times.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 12 2021
5

A personal favorite, easily one of my most-listened to albums

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
5

Un des meilleurs albums de tous les temps. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi et Reckoner sont des chefs d'oeuvre, mais honnêtement c'est le cas de la moitié des chansons de l'album.

👍
View Author
Fri May 07 2021
5

Amazing. Top 2 or 3 Radiohead album. 9-10/10 1. 15 Step 2. Reckoner 3. All I Need

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 22 2021
5

Beautiful, concise, coherent. Classic Radiohead. I don't know this as well as albums 2-6, but it still sounded like coming home to an old friend, like the musical concepts from all the previous albums came together in this one.

👍
View Author
Thu Apr 22 2021
5

Great album, love their distinct style.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 26 2021
5

Great album. Not one skibbable track favourites 2,3,5,7,9

👍
View Author
Thu Apr 01 2021
5

Top 3 Radiohead album and there's tough competition.

👍
View Author
Wed Jun 16 2021
5

Really beautiful album. i wish it had a little more drive/energy at parts, but it's otherwise fantastic and the production is nice. I’ll definitely come back to this. 9/10

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 24 2021
5

Niet helemaal eerlijk want dit is al een album wat hoog in mijn all-time favorites staat. :-)

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 16 2021
5

What can I say, one of my fav albums ever

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 02 2021
5

Radiohead ben je voor of tegen. Voor mij is dit album een topper!

👍
View Author
Fri May 14 2021
5

There's just something about this album. I absolutely loved it. Probably my favourite so far.

👍
View Author
Fri May 14 2021
5

Love almost all the tracks on this album. It's beautiful, melodic, cohesive and a bit dancey.

👍
View Author
Fri May 14 2021
5

Another masterpiece from Radiohead. Wonderful album

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 22 2021
5

Incredible album. Haunting vocals.

👍
View Author
Mon Mar 08 2021
5

Rock perfection. Not a single moment on this album that doesn't hit just right.

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 06 2021
5

Obok Kid A moje ulubione Radioheady

👍
View Author
Thu May 13 2021
5

Ethereal fractured seduction

👍
View Author
Fri Jun 18 2021
5

I don't know why I've never listened to much radio head. Maybe ok computer was a bit slow and electronic for me. Damn this was a good album, excellent from start to finish. A rare 5 stars

👍
View Author
Fri May 21 2021
5

Great album - i have really enjoyed listening to the evolution of this band since 1994.

👍
View Author
Tue Jul 06 2021
5

I think this must be my favorite Radiohead album. The whole thing works and flows beautifully, and it has my two favorite songs ("Bodysnatchers" and "Reckoner") - plus "Videotape" is such an amazing and haunting song to end on.

👍
View Author
Wed Jun 16 2021
5

This is an excellent album. Glad to see it on the list.

👍
View Author
Wed May 12 2021
5

i've knwon this one for a long time, fucking amazing

👍
Load more reviews