Paxton
Out of order
As expected, Radiohead has gone an unusual route for distribution of its seventh studio album, "In Rainbows." The set will be available for digital download from the band's Web site beginning Oct. 10, but with a twist -- fans can name their own price for the purchase. "It's up to you," reads a disclaimer on the checkout screen.
"Hello everyone. Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days," guitarist Jonny Greenwood said in a characteristically nonchalant post on the site. "In Rainbows" will also be sold in a "discbox," which will feature the new album on CD and double-vinyl, as well as a second disc with seven additional songs, photos, artwork and lyrics. The materials will be encased in a hardback book and slipcase.
The discbox will sell for £40 and will ship "on or before" Dec. 3, according to the site. As for the new material, much of it was road tested on tour last year, although "Weird Fishes," "Last Flowers" and "Faust Arp" appear to be songs written more recently.
Radiohead exited longtime label home EMI in 2005 and has yet to announce a new deal for distribution of its music beyond the "In Rainbows" package. But according to its publicist, the band will release a physical version of "In Rainbows" in 2008, with details to be announced.
Last week, the band began posting coded messages on its site that seemed to indicate a new album was imminent, concurrent with the launch of the site RadioheadLP7.com, which was quickly revealed to be a hoax.
"In Rainbows" is the follow-up to 2003's "Hail to the Thief," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200.
"Hello everyone. Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days," guitarist Jonny Greenwood said in a characteristically nonchalant post on the site. "In Rainbows" will also be sold in a "discbox," which will feature the new album on CD and double-vinyl, as well as a second disc with seven additional songs, photos, artwork and lyrics. The materials will be encased in a hardback book and slipcase.
The discbox will sell for £40 and will ship "on or before" Dec. 3, according to the site. As for the new material, much of it was road tested on tour last year, although "Weird Fishes," "Last Flowers" and "Faust Arp" appear to be songs written more recently.
Radiohead exited longtime label home EMI in 2005 and has yet to announce a new deal for distribution of its music beyond the "In Rainbows" package. But according to its publicist, the band will release a physical version of "In Rainbows" in 2008, with details to be announced.
Last week, the band began posting coded messages on its site that seemed to indicate a new album was imminent, concurrent with the launch of the site RadioheadLP7.com, which was quickly revealed to be a hoax.
"In Rainbows" is the follow-up to 2003's "Hail to the Thief," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200.
