US fans get set for Radiohead release
Fans in the US are bracing themselves for the release of Radiohead's next album which will be available online - for whatever price they like.
In Rainbows, the rock band's seventh studio album, will be available on their website in MP3 format, and fans will have the choice of paying or not.
One fan in New York said: "Everybody likes music for free but you have to pay musicians what they're worth. I would pay five or six bucks, but I wouldn't pay 15."
Music observers said the independent band are able to sell directly to its fans because it has such an established support base.
David Card, an analyst for Jupiter Research, said: "Everybody needs to figure out how to do distribution effectively and cheaply and how to build more artists, pop hits again, and reach your fans wherever they might be.
"And I think we're seeing finally a lot of experimentation. The Radiohead story is one example of that."
The group is planning a traditional CD release of the album in early 2008.
© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
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