In Rainbows
by Radiohead
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 2281 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,078 out of 2281
  2. Mixed: 71 out of 2281
  3. Negative: 132 out of 2281

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  1. Dan
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    Absolutely gorgeous. I can't stop listening to it! They are on such a higher level of musical talent than any other band I've heard.
  2. carld.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    Best since OK Computer ,heart warming
  3. KSlice
    Oct 16, 2007
    9
    Reckoner rocks. All I Want makes me well-up. Thealbum is almost unassuming in the way it warms up to you. I am wildly surprised by how much I like it - and how much more I like it each time I hear it. Even non-Radiohead fans will find at least one track they'll like.
  4. BP
    Oct 16, 2007
    8
    No big deal, Kid A is still their best.
  5. DanL
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    My expectations for this album were sky-high, and I can't say that they weren't met. In Rainbows contains several tracks that practically brought me to tears upon listening to them, and I really can't say that often. There isn't one weak track on this album, and as great as Amnesiac or Hail to the Thief are, In Rainbows absolutely dwarves both of those albums. My expectations for this album were sky-high, and I can't say that they weren't met. In Rainbows contains several tracks that practically brought me to tears upon listening to them, and I really can't say that often. There isn't one weak track on this album, and as great as Amnesiac or Hail to the Thief are, In Rainbows absolutely dwarves both of those albums. Personally, my favorite tracks are: "Nude," "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi," "Reckoner," and "Jigsaw Falling into Place." However, in order to fully appreciate any of the tracks, you need to listen to the album from start to finish, as it flows better than any Radiohead album since OK Computer. I can't wait to hear the bonus tracks that come with the discbox. The only thing keeping In Rainbows from becoming a masterpiece is the fact that it was only released one week ago... time will tell.… Expand
  6. Sam
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    Beautiful.
  7. ElvisP.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    In Rainbows and Kid A are the best albuns of the decade!!!
  8. AaronS.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    Best album since 'Kid A'. I liked 'Hail to the Thief' and 'Amnesiac', but have to say that Radiohead haven't sounded this alive as a band in years. Compulsively listenable.
  9. GuyH
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    Falls slightly short of The Bends and Ok Computer but possibly only due to the trifling matter of having two less tracks than those two colossi! They finally nail a few ideas they've been experimenting with on the last 3 albums - 'Jigsaw' and 'Weird Fish' completely destroy 'I Might be Wrong', 'In Limbo', 'Where I End', etc. The intro Falls slightly short of The Bends and Ok Computer but possibly only due to the trifling matter of having two less tracks than those two colossi! They finally nail a few ideas they've been experimenting with on the last 3 albums - 'Jigsaw' and 'Weird Fish' completely destroy 'I Might be Wrong', 'In Limbo', 'Where I End', etc. The intro to '15 Step' conjures up nightmares of electro skit hell but the song develops well and turns into a really addictive opener. 'Bodysnatchers' is their best rocker since The Bends. 'Reckoner', 'Nude' and 'Videotape' are right up there with 'Fake plastic Trees', 'Exit Music' and 'How to Disappear Completely'. 'Faust Arp' is completely fresh and offers up a very different vocal performance from Thom. 'All I Need' and 'House of Cards' are mood pieces but infinitely more satisfying than 'The Gloaming', 'Spinning Plates', 'Hunting Bears' and the like. This is the first Radiohead album since 'Kid A' where the songs complement each other and add up to a satisfying whole. There is also a lightness to this album that is unique and stands it in good stead. Whisper it but in time 'Rainbows' could slowly, but surely, become the Radiohead album you feel like listening to most often.… Expand
  10. GraemeW.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    Unlike many people, I thought Kid A and Amnesiac were a wonderful departure from OK Computer/Bends era, showcasing the band's varied talents, courage in experimentation, and wealth of influences, from Bjork and Aphex Twin to Charles Mingus and various Classical composers. This album is the most cohesive of their efforts since Kid A, and yet it has some of melodic brilliance, passion Unlike many people, I thought Kid A and Amnesiac were a wonderful departure from OK Computer/Bends era, showcasing the band's varied talents, courage in experimentation, and wealth of influences, from Bjork and Aphex Twin to Charles Mingus and various Classical composers. This album is the most cohesive of their efforts since Kid A, and yet it has some of melodic brilliance, passion and gravitas of their earlier works. The songs work well together, and there is a brilliant mix of sounds, overlapping layers of instruments and electronics, and, for good measure, a lot of soul. Well worth the listen of any music fan, let alone a Radiohead one.… Expand
  11. ToddW.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    In Rainbows is a perfect amalgam of all that came before from the best band on the planet. While not groundbreaking like O.K. Computer or Kid A, Yorke, Greenwood, Selway, et al. show the pretenders just how to construct a melody quite unlike anything you've ever heard before. That's what keeps the fanatics, like me, coming back for more. A strong contender for album of the year.
  12. jeremy
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    I've never been a huge a fan of Radiohead, but this album blew me away. It flows smoothly, and every song is fantastic. And, it's fun to listen to! My one complaint? A lot of the songs sound similar. But hey, it makes for a superb album.
  13. MichaelG
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    "In/Rainbows" has been an interesting experience for me already. The only thing I can compare it to is my impressions of "Paranoid Android" ten years ago. The first time I heard it I thought it was unique and interesting, but I wasn't completely sold. After about my third listen something about it grabbed me. I don't know if that was how long it took me to catch lyrics, the "In/Rainbows" has been an interesting experience for me already. The only thing I can compare it to is my impressions of "Paranoid Android" ten years ago. The first time I heard it I thought it was unique and interesting, but I wasn't completely sold. After about my third listen something about it grabbed me. I don't know if that was how long it took me to catch lyrics, the brilliant structure or if it was a chemical reaction, hysterical and useless (I know - different song). But from then on it was a completely different song than it had been before. I had the same happen with this whole album. My attitude towards it was very lukewarm for the first two or three listens. I don't know when it changed. I think "Nude" and "Reckoner" were where it started. But now, when I play "15 Steps" I cannot stop until it completes. When "Videotape" winds down breathless and beautiful, I want to begin again. And that kind of obsessive listening to an entire album is a privilege few discs have enjoyed. There is something very special here. Dusted Mag needs to give it a few more listens. They will regret the score given, much as I would have regretted the 7 I would have given it a week ago after only two perusals.… Expand
  14. L.D.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    mystically mellow...
  15. Esther
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Simply Amazing!! I'm still in awe that this is a Radiohead Album, they took their musicianship to a whole new level. It is definitely their best album to date and deserves a 10.
  16. Lachlan
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    'In Rainbows' is easily the best album of the year. While not as groundbreaking like 'OK Computer' or 'Kid A' (marketing scheme aside), 'In Rainbows' is definitely an improvement over the slightly disappointing 'Hail to the Thief'. There is not a single weak moment or a single track that could be considered as filler. Radiohead has crafted 'In Rainbows' is easily the best album of the year. While not as groundbreaking like 'OK Computer' or 'Kid A' (marketing scheme aside), 'In Rainbows' is definitely an improvement over the slightly disappointing 'Hail to the Thief'. There is not a single weak moment or a single track that could be considered as filler. Radiohead has crafted one of their most confident, coherent, and complex albums I have ever heard. Stand out tracks include 'Bodysnatchers', 'Videotape' and 'All I Need'. Of particular note is the stunning 'Weird Fishes / Arpeggi', which is one of Radiohead's most haunting, disturbing tracks of all time. 'Weird Fishes / Arpeggi' is up there with 'Let Down', 'Everything In Its Right Place' and 'Street Spirit'. Overall, I would recommend Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' to anyone who wants to listen to a band at its most assured.… Expand
  17. izzyj.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    everything in its right place. exceeded my expectations. warm.
  18. FredJ.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Others have said it best. "Hauntingly beautiful" I know it's a bit early, but I believe this to be one of my favorite albums by anyone ever. Beautiful.
  19. PhilipD.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Fantastic, gorgeous and not one song even considered for skipping. Check out 15 Step, Apreggi, Nude, Bodysnatchers and Jisaw Falling Into Place!
  20. NicholasM.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Best album not only of this year but since Kid A, easily, fantastic albuim.
  21. JordanS.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    It's like walking the arc of a rainbow, blissful beauty, but still threatened by the sight of the distant storm raging with madness. Great stuff.
  22. HasbroM.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    The tightest and most grippingly beautiful thing they have ever recorded. While it does not upstage their other work, it does add yet another new piece to their growing collection of outstanding albums and makes their older work sound that much more right.
  23. herberth.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    This new uplifting and radient album seems to be remnants of The Bends, Ok Computer and Hail to the Theif. It is a great way to pull all 6 studio albums together. This album ranks up there with the best of Radiohead!!!!!
  24. E
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    It's not as good as Kid A, but what could be? All in all, I'd probably place it 3rd in Radiohead's catalogue, which automatically puts it above most other music. It's great to finally hear some of these songs that have been circulating for so long, although I still prefer the live bootlegged version of Videotape (seriously, go check that out). Overall, an album that It's not as good as Kid A, but what could be? All in all, I'd probably place it 3rd in Radiohead's catalogue, which automatically puts it above most other music. It's great to finally hear some of these songs that have been circulating for so long, although I still prefer the live bootlegged version of Videotape (seriously, go check that out). Overall, an album that manages to be simultaneously lush and sparse, and sounds like nothing else out there, despite its conventional instrumentation. Thank God for Radiohead.… Expand
  25. PaulJ.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    I would actually give this a 9.5 if I could, but I could not rank it a 10 since that would be in the territory of OK Computer and Amnesiac- albums which were a little more streamlined than this effort. However, this is still one of their best albums and definitely shows the ongoing effort of the band to be avant-garde. Fantastic listen!
  26. OctavianI.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Great album !
  27. JuanR.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    simply amazing... Radiohead never fail.
  28. HendrikK.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    This is a stunningly good album. The most laid-back and accessible Radiohead album to date; and the most emotionally introverted; but nonetheless stunning in its subtle, layered sound, built over Colin Greenwood's throbbing basslines and Phil Selway's scattershot drumming. I love Thom Yorke's haunting falsetto. This has massively exceeded my expectations. Can't wait This is a stunningly good album. The most laid-back and accessible Radiohead album to date; and the most emotionally introverted; but nonetheless stunning in its subtle, layered sound, built over Colin Greenwood's throbbing basslines and Phil Selway's scattershot drumming. I love Thom Yorke's haunting falsetto. This has massively exceeded my expectations. Can't wait for the box set and the "extra" tracks contained therein! 10/10.… Expand
  29. joelC.
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    Something to enjoy for a long long time, Videotape is one going straight to the top 3 of radiohead
  30. Matt
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    This is why they're Radiohead and everyone else isn't.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2007
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2007
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. BBC collective
    90
    In Rainbows really does present Radiohead at their most full-blooded and confident.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    80
    Overall, the material feels more human, more honest, more assured.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    80
    Happily, In Rainbows is pretty, pretty good.
    Read full review
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