Is In Rainbows a good place to start with Radiohead?

Yes, In Rainbows is recommended as a starting point for new Radiohead listeners. A lush interplay of intricate rhythms and haunting melodies that explore themes of love, loss, and existential reflection. In Rainbows marked Radiohead's seventh studio album, released during a period when the band was experimenting with their sound after the experimental approach of Hail to the Thief in 2003. The album came after a brief hiatus and saw them embrace a new model of distribution by allowing fans to pay what they wanted for it, redefining music consumption in the digital age.

Who is In Rainbows for?

In Rainbows works well if you're into introspective moments of stillness, kaleidoscopic soundscapes for reflection and haunting melodies that linger.

How many songs are on In Rainbows?

In Rainbows has 10 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 19 years ago this October

In Rainbows

Radiohead · 2007

42 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A lush interplay of intricate rhythms and haunting melodies that explore themes of love, loss, and existential reflection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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15 Step Start here — Opening with a unique time signature and layered percussion, this track sets an energetic tone for the album while addressing themes of anxiety and disconnection.
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Nude — With its ethereal quality and haunting lyrics about yearning and vulnerability, this track highlights Radiohead’s ability to blend emotional depth with minimalist instrumentation.
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Reckoner — This track combines rhythmic complexity with a poignant message about accountability, blending upbeat instrumentals with somber lyrical content that encapsulates the album's duality.
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Jigsaw Falling Into Place — The driving beat and urgent vocals create an atmosphere of intensity, portraying fleeting moments of connection amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

83 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

In Rainbows showcases intricate rhythms and haunting melodies, creating a distinctive and cohesive listening experience.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'Nude' and 'Videotape' feature sparse instrumentation, allowing the haunting melodies to take center stage.
The sequencing of tracks creates a gradual build-up, with 'Reckoner' serving as a pivotal moment before the album's reflective closing.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective moments of stillness
kaleidoscopic soundscapes for reflection
haunting melodies that linger
gentle crescendos that unfold gradually

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer upbeat party anthems

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — In Rainbows is often cited as a high point in Radiohead's artistic evolution.
Career context: In Rainbows marked Radiohead's seventh studio album, released during a period when the band was experimenting with their sound after the experimental approach of Hail to the Thief in 2003. The album came after a brief hiatus and saw them embrace a new model of distribution by allowing fans to pay what they wanted for it, redefining music consumption in the digital age.
Stylistic neighbors: Sigur Rós· Interpol· The National