Wow, I'm even beating Pitchfork and Stereogum on this one...just got a message from the Radiohead fansite At Ease to check Radiohead's website. And lo and behold, Radiohead has defied expectations (it was expected in 2008) and is releasing their new album, titled "In Rainbows", in 10 days, sans a record company, exclusively via their website. That is only where the weirdness begins--
1) There is no set price to download the album--as a pre-order, you just type in what you want to pay. It can be anywhere from .01 to $1,000. Your call.
2) Other than digital download, it will also be available in a "Discbox" format, which includes a 2xLP vinyl version, a 2xCD version, artwork, booklet & a digital download for 40 pounds ($80!). The physical materials don't ship until December 3rd, but you still get a download code for the digital version in ten days.
Crazy stuff...takes some balls for a band as big as Radiohead to give two fingers to the big labels and go it on their own. Can't wait to hear it.
