Over the Rainbow

Radiohead released their seventh studio album today. That in itself is a remarkable thing but this is not just another album release from an established rock band. In Rainbows has been released as a pay-what-you-will unprotected download only; the CD release comes later. As if that's not enough of a refreshing change in itself, the invitation to pay whatever includes the possibility of actually (legally!) getting a free download. No strings attached.

This is the most daring move ever to eliminate all the middlemen in the music industry. This is not some unknown act trying their luck on MySpace. This is Radiohead: an influential band the likes of which only come around once every decade or so. I don't just mean in terms of popularity but also innovative creativity in rock; think Beatles (60s), Pink Floyd (70s), U2 (80s)...Radiohead are undoubtedly next in this lineage.

I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to publicly point out that I'm quite a fan of this band. They originally hooked me with the amazing Creep, their first single back in the early '90s. By the time they released their 3rd album OK Computer in the summer of 1997 they had simply swooped me off my feet.

I've just finished downloading In Rainbows so I haven't really heard it yet. I know I'll like it...and not just because I want to like it.