New Radiohead album

You might have seen that Radiohead - the world's greatest band from Oxford - have released their new album by offering it for free in mp3 format. Or, at least, for whatever the purchaser wants to pay for it. They are saying: you choose what it is worth and pay us accordingly.

Probably a lot of people will take it for free - but do so with a clear conscience. Me - I paid them five pounds. I love their work and knowing that that money is going to them and not to a record company makes me happy. This signals possibly a complete reconfiguration of the musical world order. It is exciting to see companies which are basically parasitic on musical talent get undercut in this way.

The new album? Well so far it sounds pretty indistinguishable from Thom Yorke's solo album 'The Eraser'. Which means pretty much less rocky and more atmospheric than previous albums. And I am yet to decide which is the stand-out single or the anthemic heart of the album, or if there is one. It might take a few more listens.