Radiohead on course to top charts

Radiohead have finally released the album In Rainbows in the shops and it is on course to top the charts.

The band made headlines last year when they invited fans to pay what they liked to download the album.

The experiment was not deemed a total success after a survey revealed two-thirds of downloaders paid nothing at all but the album is expected to sell 50,000 copies, proving fans are still willing to pay for an actual CD.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said: "No doubt many people appreciated the opportunity to download the album for free, but this demand also underlines the enduring appeal of the CD.

"As true fans we love to buy and collect albums by our favourite artists in their physical form while also having the opportunity to create our favourite playlists via downloads.

"The simple truth is we want to have the best of both worlds - to be able to mix and match between physical and digital music. As retailers we're doing more and more to cater to this growing trend."

In Rainbows is outselling Take That's Beautiful World, which is back up to number two following their New Year concert.

Early January is traditionally a slow time for album sales and 50,000 copies is enough to get an artist to number one.

X Factor winner Leon Jackson looks set to retain the number one spot in the singles chart with When You Believe.

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