Radiohead used the tour to test songs later recorded for In Rainbows. Radiohead performing live at the Greek Theatre, Berkeley, California, during their 2006 tour. At the Ether Festival in July 2005, Greenwood and Yorke performed a version of the future In Rainbows track 'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' with the London Sinfonietta orchestra and the Arab Orchestra of Nazareth. We've been working together for 10 years, and we all love one another too much.' Bassist Colin Greenwood later denied this, saying Godrich had been busy working with Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck. They initially chose to work without their longtime producer Nigel Godrich according to guitarist Ed O'Brien, 'We were a little bit in the comfort zone. In March 2005, Radiohead began writing and recording in their Oxfordshire studio. Singer and songwriter Thom Yorke recorded his first solo album, The Eraser (2006), and multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood composed his first solo works, the soundtracks Bodysong (2004) and There Will Be Blood (2007). Дrummer Philip Selway said Radiohead still wanted to create music, but took a break to focus on other areas of their lives, and the end of their contract provided a natural point to pause and reflect. According to the New York Times in 2006, Radiohead were 'by far the world's most popular unsigned band'. As Hail to the Thief was the last album released under their six-album contract with EMI, they had no contractual obligation to release new material. In 2004, after finishing the world tour for their sixth studio album Hail to the Thief (2003), Radiohead went on hiatus. Rolling Stone ranked In Rainbows on its updated lists of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time at number 336 in 2012 and number 387 in 2020. It received critical acclaim, winning Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, and was ranked one of the best albums of the year and the decade by various publications. The retail release topped the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, and by October 2008 In Rainbows had sold over three million copies worldwide. ' Jigsaw Falling into Place' and ' Nude' were released as singles. Radiohead promoted In Rainbows with webcasts, music videos, remix and music video competitions and a worldwide tour. The pay-what-you-want release, the first for a major act, made headlines internationally and sparked debate about implications for the music industry some 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.

Radiohead decided to self-release In Rainbows after negotiations with EMI collapsed following a dispute over ownership of their back catalogue. Radiohead incorporated a variety of styles and instruments, using electronic instruments, strings, piano, and the ondes Martenot, creating a more personal album. After re-enlisting longtime producer Nigel Godrich, Radiohead recorded in the country houses Halswell House and Tottenham House, the Hospital Club in London, and their studio in Oxfordshire. In 2006, after initial recording sessions with new producer Spike Stent proved fruitless, the band toured Europe and North America, performing the new material. Radiohead began work on In Rainbows in early 2005. It was Radiohead's first release after their recording contract with EMI ended with their album Hail to the Thief (2003). It was self-released on 10 October 2007 as a pay-what-you-want download, followed by a physical release internationally through XL Recordings and in North America through TBD Records. In Rainbows is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead.

Radiohead discography zip