In Rainbows

In Rainbows is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was self-released on 10 October 2007 as a download, followed by a retail release internationally through XL Recordings on 3 December 2007 and in North America through TBD Records on 1 January 2008. It was Radiohead's first release after their recording contract with EMI ended with their album Hail to the Thief (2003).

Work on In Rainbows began in early 2005. In 2006, after their sessions with the producer Spike Stent proved fruitless, Radiohead re-enlisted their longtime producer, Nigel Godrich. They recorded in the country houses Halswell House and Tottenham House, the Hospital Club in London, and their studio in Oxfordshire. The lyrics are less political and more personal than previous Radiohead albums.

Radiohead released In Rainbows on their website without prior publicity and allowed fans to set their own price, saying this liberated them from conventional promotional formats and removed barriers to audiences. It was the first such release by a major act and drew international media attention. 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.

In Rainbows was promoted with the singles "Jigsaw Falling into Place" and "Nude", along with webcasts, music videos, competitions and a worldwide tour. The retail release topped the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, and by October 2008 it had sold more than three million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling vinyl record of 2008 and is certified platinum in the UK and Canada and gold in the US, Belgium and Japan. At the 51st Grammy Awards, In Rainbows won for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package and was nominated for Album of the Year, while "House of Cards" was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song. In Rainbows was named one of the best albums of the year and the decade by various publications, and Rolling Stone included it its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.