Radiohead – Asks Fans To Name Price For New Album

Monday, October 1, 2007

Billboard.com reports: 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.

Here is the track list for “In Rainbows:”

01. 15 Step
02. Bodysnatchers
03. Nude
04. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
05. All I Need
06. Faust Arp
07. Reckoner
08. House of Cards
09. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
10. Videotape

Here is the track list for the “In Rainbows” bonus disc:

01. MK 1
02. Down Is the New Up
03. Go Slowly
04. MK 2
05. Last Flowers
06. Up on the Ladder
07. Bangers and Mash
08. 4 Minute Warning