Radiohead readies 'In Rainbows'

It was like a mirage, shimmering in the distance: Despite recent reports that Radiohead was in the studio working on a new album, few details were forthcoming, not even a release date. "Your guess is as good as mine," the band's publicist noted just two weeks ago in an e-mail update on Radiohead and other clients. "I can't wait to have some news for you all."

Suddenly there's news aplenty: Radiohead's seventh studio album, "In Rainbows," will be available exclusively from the band's website as a DRM-free download starting Oct. 10. (Read my review of the album here.) In addition, the band is now taking orders for what the "Discbox" version of the album, a special edition that includes double vinyl and CD versions of the record and a second, enhanced CD with additional new songs, artwork, and photographs of the band, all exclusive to the box. (It ain't cheap: the Discbox version is selling for 40 pounds, which at today's exchange rate is close to $80. On the other hand, the band is letting fans choose how much, if anything, to pay to download the mp3 version.)

Those who buy pre-order Discbox will automatically receive the bundled mp3 album on October 10. Discboxes, which are made-to-order, will ship starting Dec. 3.

The band is said to be planning a "traditional" release of the album early next year, though there's been no word yet what label (if any) might put it out. In the short term, this is a fascinating end-run around the machinery of the music industry. It's the sort of thing that only bands on a certain level could even conceive of doing, but it bears close watching.