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. JosephA.
    Oct 23, 2007
    7
    After much listening, I personally am torn between and 7 or a 6. It is quite lovely to see Radiohead back, in some cases I wonder what the f*** went on about the recording sessions. Most of the tracks seem quite much like filler if anything, lush depressing romantic filler (as opposed to lush depressing political filler from Hail to the Thief.) Nevertheless, it almost makes me believe After much listening, I personally am torn between and 7 or a 6. It is quite lovely to see Radiohead back, in some cases I wonder what the f*** went on about the recording sessions. Most of the tracks seem quite much like filler if anything, lush depressing romantic filler (as opposed to lush depressing political filler from Hail to the Thief.) Nevertheless, it almost makes me believe that I am listening to a Coldplay record, in a mehish way. As such, the winners here are Bodysnachers, Nude, and Videotape with their Radiohead-esque melancholy. Sadly, when this album suck, it sucks hard. Especially concerning some of the other lyrics ("I am the holidays you choose to ignore," Thom what have you been drinking.) seem childish, selfish, and in some cases (despite the album's claim of being more user-friendly) unintelligible thanks to horrible balancing of sounds, drowning out Yorke's vocals. Granted, thought at first I regretted being short of change when I downloaded the album. (Which I believe has led to some review whoring, and I am saying this as a fairly ardent Radiohead fan.) I don't feel as conflicted due to the quality (or lack there of.)… Expand
  2. Simon
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    Best album of the decade!
  3. SoniaB.
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    WOW!
  4. Jerc.
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    This is the best album from this band
  5. JennieF
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    The most consistent, cohesive album my favorite band has released since Kid A. The most compulsively listenable since OK Computer. There has been nothing else in my cd player for a week.
  6. JR
    Oct 23, 2007
    8
    I don't know what's wrong with the people who didn't give this album the same score I did. But they are not like me and therefore must have something wrong with them. Why people have different impressions of something when it is clearly easily categorized in the world-view affirming context of my own ego is beyond me. All of you people who gave this album scores other than I don't know what's wrong with the people who didn't give this album the same score I did. But they are not like me and therefore must have something wrong with them. Why people have different impressions of something when it is clearly easily categorized in the world-view affirming context of my own ego is beyond me. All of you people who gave this album scores other than 8 need to get a grip on reality and rate things the same way I do. Oh, by the way, I like the album.… Expand
  7. ThomasM.
    Oct 23, 2007
    8
    A good album. By no means the band's best, it seems that, given the length of time it took to arrive, and the method of its release, the press had already decided this was going to be great. And it is, but all these 'return to form' or 'best album since OK Computer' reviews are ignoring the fact that Radiohead made three interesting and diverse albums after that. A good album. By no means the band's best, it seems that, given the length of time it took to arrive, and the method of its release, the press had already decided this was going to be great. And it is, but all these 'return to form' or 'best album since OK Computer' reviews are ignoring the fact that Radiohead made three interesting and diverse albums after that. It is good to hear the band doing something different again, whilst still having a pop aesthetic, but it still is not as good as Kid A or Hail to the Thief.… Expand
  8. ReubenF
    Oct 23, 2007
    4
    Sadly, it is commonplace for bands to lose it over time. Most are one-hit wonders. Some manage a few good albums. A select few sustain a career among the best for longer than a decade. Radiohead are among the select few. However, on this album, they prove themselves no exception to the general rule. They have past their used by date. The end.
  9. RonaldL.
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    An album that starts off great and continues to get better with every listen. The Nude - All I Need sequence is one of the best things I have heard in quite some time. There is a lot going on here, and I can't wait to continue to unpack it over the next few weeks. Though I do like the live version of Videotape better, the album version is certainly a haunting send off that captures, An album that starts off great and continues to get better with every listen. The Nude - All I Need sequence is one of the best things I have heard in quite some time. There is a lot going on here, and I can't wait to continue to unpack it over the next few weeks. Though I do like the live version of Videotape better, the album version is certainly a haunting send off that captures, I think, the spectrum of darker emotions that embodies the album. Well done, Radiohead.… Expand
  10. StuartG.
    Oct 23, 2007
    9
    In every way it's a masterpiece.
  11. JavierF
    Oct 23, 2007
    9
    First This album is Great, the best music album of the year, is not perfect, is no "OK Computer" or "Kid A" but is a lot better than "hail to the Thief", I believe this is not the next step for radiohead but still the best album till now from 2007, this album has a core, a sense... this is not a Pop album if you want pop go and buy a Britney spears album for god's sake!!! and the First This album is Great, the best music album of the year, is not perfect, is no "OK Computer" or "Kid A" but is a lot better than "hail to the Thief", I believe this is not the next step for radiohead but still the best album till now from 2007, this album has a core, a sense... this is not a Pop album if you want pop go and buy a Britney spears album for god's sake!!! and the gentleman that gave radiohead in rainbows a "0" "music is not getting worse is just you..… Expand
  12. MarkK.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Awesome!
  13. RyanA.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Epic. I'm finishing the last song as I'm writing this. This album is epic. To be honest, it wasn't what I expected, but I think that was part of what made this album so good; it was a step, mind you not a large one, into their more down-tempo work. Sweet stuff. Go buy it.
  14. tomj.
    Oct 22, 2007
    9
    My favorite since OK Computer. Radiohead has rediscovered what made them great; the ability to translate emotion in perfect melodies.
  15. jigsaw
    Oct 22, 2007
    0
    Radiohead is always over-rated!
  16. [anonymous]
    Oct 22, 2007
    7
    Another over-rated Radiohead album. The much anticipated In Rainbows changes pace with other Radiohead albums in the first few songs, then returns in pretentious fashion. A few good songs, but others like '15 step', 'Nude' and 'Jigsaw' that get old very quickly. The sound is a little dull.
  17. RobertV.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Amazing Album!!!!!!!
  18. DavidT.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    OK... Jonathan H? I have no idea where you're coming from... There must be at least one track you liked? No? Ok. For me, this is definitely a grower, just like every other Radiohead album. I can't believe these guys manage to come up with so much fantastic material! The opening few moments of the album are reminiscent of the Thom Yorke solo album (Another fantastic "grower") but OK... Jonathan H? I have no idea where you're coming from... There must be at least one track you liked? No? Ok. For me, this is definitely a grower, just like every other Radiohead album. I can't believe these guys manage to come up with so much fantastic material! The opening few moments of the album are reminiscent of the Thom Yorke solo album (Another fantastic "grower") but as soon as the guitar sets in you realise this is A-grade Radiohead musical diversity. Constantly shifting and changing this album feels so raw yet built up with layers that can be dissected whilst listening. Which,in my opinion is one of the fantastic things about Radiohead. While most bands use a stock string section with a simple chord progression, r.h fill their music with parts that would be equally as interesting to listen to alone! And YES it is just you! To me Radiohead embodies what is so GOOD about music now! The marriage of so many different techniques and styles of music to create something that is truly incredible.BUT i guess i have to respect your opinion! I just find it hard to believe there isn't ONE thing you like about the album so i find it hard to believe you can justify the 0.… Expand
  19. MaxM.
    Oct 22, 2007
    8
    Radiohead is probably the best living band right now. They had a great run and I am glad they finally came out with an album after the long wait after "Hail to the Theif". To be honest, I think Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" was a bit more enjoyable. This new album has many decent songs and a few really good ones like 15 Step and Bodysnatchers. I was absolutely disgusted by the third Radiohead is probably the best living band right now. They had a great run and I am glad they finally came out with an album after the long wait after "Hail to the Theif". To be honest, I think Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" was a bit more enjoyable. This new album has many decent songs and a few really good ones like 15 Step and Bodysnatchers. I was absolutely disgusted by the third track, Nude. I've heard the unreleased version of Nude and it was alot better than what I heard in "In Rainbows".… Expand
  20. GabiorA.
    Oct 22, 2007
    3
    Radiohead prove further that they can release anything to critical acclaim with this collection of elevator tunes and indie electronic college crap pop. Even if you argue that maybe this music just isn't for me just look at the lyrics to see the lack of effort here. Every positive user review is hysterically identical "haven't creamed my pants this bad since OK Computer." Either Radiohead prove further that they can release anything to critical acclaim with this collection of elevator tunes and indie electronic college crap pop. Even if you argue that maybe this music just isn't for me just look at the lyrics to see the lack of effort here. Every positive user review is hysterically identical "haven't creamed my pants this bad since OK Computer." Either way, fanboys will be fanboys.… Expand
  21. GarrettR
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Not a rotten song in the batch--all songs are stripped of their illustrious excess leaving Yorke's voice to create the intimacy and fright not heard in the band in some ten years.
  22. SonnyW.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    I agree with everyone who gave this album a 10. It's a Classic in my world (and those of my friends, family colleagues and acquaintances) - a REAL record by a REAL band. I think the music speaks for itself and any music lover who keeps their mind open and gives it the attention it deserves will be rewarded with a positive experience. I just don't know how they keep doing it.
  23. mycles.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    odd but accessible. sad but encouraging. minimal but lush. low-fi but hi-fi. incredible. radiohead keeps making better albums. soft but harsh. alienating but loving. they keep rock alive by killing it.
  24. AndrewW
    Oct 22, 2007
    9
    I like this record- an improvement on the last 2. It might even be better than kidA after a few more listens. What I can't agree with are those reviewers saying this album isn't another "electronic" album. After my first few listens, this is more of an "electronic album" than hail to the thief was. Plenty of beeps and drum machines here. I do like it though. Good effort.
  25. ShaunB
    Oct 22, 2007
    9
    If there is anything we should have learnt about Radiohead by now, it's that we should not compare one album to another. Not even Kid A (which I loved) could be compared to Amnesiac (which I found disappointing)...and they were recorded in the same session! So I am certainly not going to compare In Rainbows with OK Computer (which is my favourite album of all time). Anyway, here are If there is anything we should have learnt about Radiohead by now, it's that we should not compare one album to another. Not even Kid A (which I loved) could be compared to Amnesiac (which I found disappointing)...and they were recorded in the same session! So I am certainly not going to compare In Rainbows with OK Computer (which is my favourite album of all time). Anyway, here are Radiohead using the sound they have developed over the past 3 albums, but suddenly it is more focused. They have found the perfect balance between their experimental jazzy sounds and good-old fashioned songwriting. I was very surprised with In Rainbows, as I approached with extreme caution...and, for the first time since 2000, Radiohead pleasantly surprised me. The love affair with the Oxford band is back on.… Expand
  26. GiuseppeM.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    simply the beauty!!! This is a perfect landscape of all our souls. Thank you, Radiohead !!!
  27. lawrenceh.
    Oct 22, 2007
    7
    Not bad, overhyped though. Aren't these songs outtakes from REM's Automatic for the People, recycled through laptop wizardry?
  28. conrada.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    astonishing album. they seem to touch on almost every type of musical genre while delivering an emotional yet powerful record. the band is at its best. his voice is incredible. they get better and better.
  29. BitBurn
    Oct 22, 2007
    9
    I was never a big Radiohead fan, really. Although I have always been curious on what they are doing because no doubt they are the most avant-garde UK band ever. So, for the first time I was not disappointed at all. In fact, this is a monster record methinks.
  30. SoundsLikeShit
    Oct 22, 2007
    0
    Most overrated band of all time. Like Ok Computer this album sucks too.
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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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