Radiohead denies December release with major label

Following the excitement and intrigue surrounding English band Radiohead's announcement earlier this week about the quick release of their seventh studio album In Rainbows next week, the band's spokesman is now denying that it will also be released via a major label in December. According to the Billboard report, British retailer HMV had listed a pre-order for a CD version of the album on its website with EMI Group PLC label Parlophone for December 3, the same date the self-released "discbox" will be released to fans who pre-ordered on the band's website.

Radiohead was previously signed to EMI with their first six albums distributed by Parlophone in the UK and Capitol Records in the United States, but that deal ended after the release of their 2003 album Hail to the Thief. The band's spokesman reported to Billboard that "the band had not re-signed to Parlophone, EMI or any other label" for the new album, emphasizing that any release would not be ready by the December 3 date on HMV. The spokesman did affirm that the band is talking to music labels about releasing the album, but that would come after the new year.

The announcement earlier this week spurred a storm of internet blogging, including BloggingStocks, and a spokesperson for HMV commented that the listing was due to "an over-enthusiastic member of staff" but it would be modified to remove the label and the date. The biggest development of the announcement was that fans could set their own price for the download version next week, but some bloggers found that there was a limit of £99.99 (about $205), but most fans are likely to go for much lower prices. Many are already calling the tactic of removing the labels from distribution a success, but it is too early to speculate whether any other band will follow Radiohead's lead. Maybe the labels will catch on and work with artists in the future for the benefit of fans, but that is just too wishful.