HOLY SHIT MUSIC POST OF THE YEAR

YES YES YES YES YES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IT IS HERE!

NEW. RADIOHEAD. ALBUM.

While visiting Dead Air Space, I read a note by Jonny Greenwood that read:
"Hello everyone.
Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days;
We've called it In Rainbows.
Love from us all.

Jonny"

Now, I thought for a second that this would be a joke. Certainly Radiohead wouldn't release an album without a distribution label! They're not that awesome. But once again, they've fooled us all. With a completely homebrewed operation, it seems that band has offered the music world a chance to listen to their new album as soon as October 10th. Now, I'll give you the rundown on what's going on and how it's going to pan out.

The album has been in production for quite a while and now that the mastering is complete, Radiohead has decided to release the album in two formats: A digital download that is available starting october 10th and a "discbox" containing two CDs and two vinyl LPs that will be available starting December 3rd. Orders can be taken now via credit card.

There are a few pros/cons to both options: the digital download only has half of In Rainbows, but the website allows you to choose how much you actually want to pay for the album, in addition to a 45 pence (about $1 US) processing fee (I gave them $5 along with the fee).
The discbox contains the entire album in both CD and vinyl LP format (AND the digital download), but it comes at a hefty price of 40 quid ($80 US), shipping included. Considering the band doesn't seem to have a major distribution method, I understand the price, but I'll have to wait for another paycheck before I can secure my copy.


Here is the list of tracks, according to the website:

Digital Download, CD 1 and Vinyl
15 STEP
BODYSNATCHERS
NUDE
WEIRD FISHES/ARPEGGI
ALL I NEED
FAUST ARP
RECKONER
HOUSE OF CARDS
JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE
VIDEOTAPE

CD 2 and Vinyl
MK 1
DOWN IS THE NEW UP
GO SLOWLY
MK 2
LAST FLOWERS
UP ON THE LADDER
BANGERS AND MASH
4 MINUTE WARNING


I was wondering what to put under the music section of this year's Forest Fire, but I think we'll have plenty of material now. Expect more about In Rainbows as time progresses.

EDIT: Continuing last night's music wank, Rolling Stone.com says that in a press release, Radiohead have decided to also do a traditional CD release of the album in early 2008, so those of you who love Radiohead but have very shallow pockets can still get the whole album in a few months.