Reformed band plans to "pull a Radiohead"

Billboard reported last Friday that Irish alternative band My Bloody Valentine is planning to "pull a Radiohead" with the release of its first album in over 16 years, albeit without the "pay what you want" feature. Although not the first band to note the success of the new "Radiohead-model" and plan to copy it, My Bloody Valentine is the first of the recent rash of bands engaged in reunions this year. Reformed bands could add a new dimension to the success of the model, but it still diminishes the possibility young and new bands could have implementing it.

While it would be an impossible dream to see Led Zeppelin record new material and release it this way (they are signed long term with Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG)'s Atlantic Records), other reformed bands might use it. In addition to My Bloody Valentine, 1990s English band The Verve, reformed last summer and have already released a demo session through the British newspaper NME's website. Though limited to a time limitation, that demo session was released free to fans. Unfortunately The Verve will likely sign with EMI, the music label the band was signed to in the 90s and where front man Richard Ashcroft has recorded for his solo career the last eight years.

My Bloody Valentine was signed with an independent label 16 years ago, which makes the plan more promising. If the band is successful with this plan it might offer some promise for younger bands who like the model because of the length of time between the band's last album and the mentioned pending release. What promise is hard to tell unfortunately, but Billboard does note the band isn't planning any form of CD release, only a later vinyl edition.