Radiohead Circumvents

We’ve been wondering which major act will circumvent the record labels completely, and distribute their album with no middleman whatsoever. Recently we’ve seen Prince give his new record away for the price of a Sunday newspaper, and now it appears that Radiohead have a new approach to release their newest album, In Rainbows. No word yet if a secondary label/distribution deal is forthcoming, but the kickoff approach is quite interesting:

According to Pitchfork, fans can download the album, or pre-order a discbox containing CD and heavyweight vinyl versions of the record, an additional enhanced CD, along with lyric booklets and album artwork. Released on December 3rd, this version costs £40.00 including postage– no matter where you live in the world.

Alternatively, fans can download the entire album starting October 10th, and choose what they want to pay for it.

So, Radiohead are giving their fans a choice. They can download for whatever they feel the music is worth to them, or the true fans have the option of buying a full set of physical goods.

Pitchfork Media