This decision would indeed seem to be driven by the success of In Rainbows, with multiple business analysts agreeing that Radiohead made more money with this independent model of distribution compared to if they would have committed to the traditional business model of the music industry. File-sharing platforms like Napster have already shown how vulnerable and stubborn traditional businesses are in terms of adapting to new technologies, and current trends in music downloads, especially through iTunes, suggest that the online download is here to stay. The only thing left for the record labels to do is come up with a new strategy to monetize their digital assets. The suits and corporate types will be happy, and they're less likely to make a fuss if a Napster-like platform resurfaces. Highly unlikely, but one can only hope.
Enough about business models, let's go back to Radiohead. One of the most innovative bands of all time, this album reminds me of the band's 'experimental period' post Ok Computer. Kid A and Amnesiac were all about soundscapes. The band virtually abandoned the traditional verse and chorus composition that were the hallmarks of their great hits like High And Dry and Creep, swapping guitar chords for synth-heavy effects. The King Of Limbs is characteristically Radiohead in the way it creates soundscapes, through the use of synthesisers and classic instrumentation, and lead singer Thom Yorke's haunting vocals. This is a rare find, but so is every Radiohead album released in the current music environment. I've waited four years for this, and it was worth every minute.
The album is due for a CD release in May, in a special 'newspaper' edition at $48. I will be forking out for that too.
http://www.thekingoflimbs.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfOa1a8hYP8&feature=aso
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