On the Record: Radiohead – In Rainbows Discbox Edition

Radiohead’s In Rainbows Discbox is the original deluxe physical edition of the band’s 2007 album. It contains the album across two 45 RPM vinyl records, the album on CD, a second CD of additional material, and artwork presented in a book-style package. For collectors, the appeal is the complete set and its place in one of music’s most talked-about album releases.

Behind the Discbox

In Rainbows first reached listeners in October 2007 through Radiohead’s pay-what-you-want download. Alongside that digital release, the band offered a more elaborate physical edition directly to fans. The Discbox gave the album a carefully presented home on vinyl and CD, with additional music and artwork in the package.

The contrast was part of the release’s character: listeners could choose what to pay for a download, while the Discbox offered a substantial physical object for fans who wanted to own and explore the album more deeply.

What Is Inside the In Rainbows Discbox?

• Two 45 RPM vinyl records containing the main In Rainbows album.
• A CD of the album and a second CD containing additional tracks, often referred to as In Rainbows Disk 2.
• Book-style packaging and artwork made for this deluxe edition.

The second CD is an important distinction. It includes music beyond the main ten-track album, including “Down Is the New Up” and “Bangers + Mash”. If you are comparing a copy for sale, check exactly which records, discs and printed pieces are included rather than relying on “Discbox” in the listing title.

Discbox Versus the Standard In Rainbows LP

The Discbox and the standard vinyl LP are different editions of the same album. The Discbox has the two-record 45 RPM presentation, additional CD and distinctive packaging. A standard LP offers the main album in a simpler format without those Discbox extras.

If your main aim is to play “15 Step”, “Nude”, “Reckoner” and the rest of the album on vinyl, a standard LP may suit you perfectly. The Discbox is for someone who specifically wants the original deluxe package and its additional material.

What Should You Check When Buying a Discbox?

• Completeness: Confirm that both vinyl records, both CDs and the printed components are present.
• Record condition: Ask for accurate descriptions of all vinyl sides, especially if the set has been played.
• Packaging condition: Examine the book, outer packaging and inserts for wear, stains or missing parts.
• Edition details: Compare photographs of the actual copy with a documented 2007 Discbox edition. A stock image cannot show what is included in the seller’s set.

A complete, well-kept copy is more useful to a collector than an attractive outer package with missing discs or inserts. For a high-priced set, ask for photographs of everything laid out together.

What Is the In Rainbows Discbox Worth?

Its value depends on completeness, the condition of the vinyl and CDs, and the state of the packaging. Prices also change over time. To assess a particular copy, compare recent completed sales of Discbox sets with the same contents and similar condition; advertised asking prices alone are a poor guide.

Why It Matters

In Rainbows brought together songs that feel intimate and expansive, from the restless opening of “15 Step” to the quiet close of “Videotape”. The Discbox captures another part of the album’s story: Radiohead’s unusual approach to releasing it and the attention given to its physical presentation.

Explore Radiohead vinyl records at Heathen Records, an independent Australian record store based in the Blue Mountains. Check each product listing for its exact edition; a standard In Rainbows LP is a different release from the Discbox.