"In Rainbows" by Radiohead

[AKA]

Anyone download this? For those of you who don't know, Radiohead left their longtime record label, EMI (which is Capitol here in the U.S.) and released their new album, In Rainbows on their own. As of now, it's currently solely available on their website (inrainbows.com), and you can choose to buy a download of the album or a special edition "discbox," which comes with said download.

The unique thing about the download version of the album is that users can choose to pay whatever they want for it, including $0.00. Yes, you can legitimately "buy" the album for free. While this model may seem peculiar, I think Radiohead are pioneering something that might become the future of the music industry: self-distribution. Labels will become unnecessary.

And the "pick-your-own-price" model seems to be working so far. According to a survey conducted by Record Of The Day, 1/3 of users are choosing to download the album for free. The average price paying customers are choosing is £4, which is more than the band would get after the record label.

I downloaded the album yesterday, and I'm really enjoying it. I think it's stronger than their last album (2003's Hail To The Thief).

[Dean Winchester]

ever since I had a migrane from watching one of their videos years ago (the one from OK Computer where Thom Yorke's submerged under water), I avoid Radiohead like the plague, but I do think what they're doing is genius. I think their album should be allowed to chart because Radiohead would likely have the #1 album next week (I mean, Kid Rock? c'mon) but because they're selling it on their own it won't be eligible.

I think the major label is dead. Radiohead and NIN going online, Paul McCartney going to Starbucks, Madonna going to LiveNation, etc... all a sign that there's a change in the industry. While the major labels can make or break an artist it seems, I think more and more people are realizing they're what's wrong with the music industry. McCartney's album with Starbucks sold better than anything since Flowers In The Dirt (yes, it's outsold Flaming Pie) and the singles even received a bit of airplay, Starbucks knew what a legend he was and that his new music is still worth listening, so they actually gave him the promotion that Capitol would rather give a younger "hipper" act, and Memory Almost Full was very successful for Paul and "Dance Tonight" even came close to the top 40.

[coffield3]

I like radiohead.:happyface