Released: 2007

Genres: Alternative Rock, Art Rock, Dream Pop, Electronic

The Musiquarium’s In Rainbows Review Score: 5/5

Being the first major rock band to release an album with a pay-what-you-want model, In Rainbows is not only revolutionary for its novel digital release, but is also a masterpiece on par with OK Computer and KID A.

After Thom Yorke took a break from Radiohead to focus on recording his first solo album, The Eraser, the band got back together and was as reinvigorated as ever. Ten years after redefining alternative rock music in 1997 and again in 2000, came yet another masterpiece from the critical darlings from Oxfordshire. This time though, instead of basking in the harsh coldness of tomorrow, Radiohead crafts their warmest-sounding batch of songs yet.

Philip Selway’s drums that start off 15 Step are unbelievable, as Thom Yorke questions why he always ends up where he started. Bodysnatchers is the all-out rocker of the album, but also knows when to take the foot off the gas. Originally called Big Ideas, Nude sees the realization of a song that’s been in development since the late nineties, and is one of the band’s most captivating and beautiful compositions, featuring Thom Yorke’s falsetto at its most tragic and angelic and some truly melodic bass playing from Colin Greenwood.

Weird Fishes / Arpeggi features some of Jonny Greenwood and Ed O’Brien’s most challenging and prettiest guitar interplay. All I Need is somewhat of a spiritual successor to Creep, with its lyrics of yearning and lust, infatuating over a woman from afar, likely without any of her knowledge. Reckoner is a good Litmus test to determine one’s humanity — if the song does nothing for you, how can you even be sure that you’re human?

House of Cards is one of the band’s loveliest and sweetest songs, with Yorke singing “I don’t want to be your friend, I just want to be your lover”. Jigsaw Falling Into Place is a tense track about searching for love in all the wrong places, and features an astonishing climax. Videotape ends the album with one of Radiohead’s most somber moments, in this piano-driven lament with an unconventional beat.

It’s really easy to see why In Rainbows is already considered to be one of the best albums of all time. A perfect album.

Trivia: In Rainbows won Best Alternative Music Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Radiohead on Discogs.

Back to the 2007 Album Guide or the Radiohead Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard