Radiohead’s fight to keep the album alive
Radiohead’s contract with EMI ran out after they released Hail To The Thief in 2003, the same year iTunes Store opened and proved that the world was ready for digital music. After their tours were over Radiohead backed off the stage and turned down the lights. They were without a record label contract and a world of decisions lay in front of them.
One issue to resolve directly affected Radiohead fans, and that was an ongoing disagreement with Apple. The band refused to sell their music on the iTunes Store, or any digital music store for that matter, if the songs were offered individually.
Why would they push for this?
Because Radiohead believes in the concept of the album. The record industry continues to push for the next hit song and loosing sight of the album, Radiohead would argue. Ringtones and singles have created an expectation that every song should be catchy. When looking at a band like Radiohead, their songs are strengthened when nested in the weavings of the album.
Still today, Radiohead’s albums are not found on iTunes Store and Apple refuses to sell the tracks “album only.” Contrast this to Amazon’s new Mp3 store and you’ll find Radiohead albums… without an option to purchase the songs individually.
In February of 2005 Radiohead began writing for the new album, already two years after their latest album. Fans waited anxiously outside the doors of Radiohead’s website, chattering loudly every time Thom Yorke sent them encoded messages. The following year they toured, performing 13 new songs and building on the excited over the new album.
Thom Yorke sat down with Time in March of 2007 to speak about the album they were recording and why it was taking so long to release this album. Yorke shared:
“I like the people at our record company, but the time is at hand when you have to ask why anyone needs one. And, yes, it probably would give us some perverse pleasure to say ‘F___ you’ to this decaying business model.”
A year later the album was still not out, and fans were disheartened to hear that it wouldn’t be out until 2008. Then on October 1 Radiohead surprised everyone with the announcement that In Rainbows would be released on October 10 as a digital DRM-free download. Fans were asked to pay what they want, saying “it’s up to you.”
Radiohead’s desire to keep the album alive will be fulfilled since millions of people will download In Rainbows on October 10. It seems that Radiohead is emphasizing the beauty of the album concept by releasing In Rainbows in a two 12 inch vinyl set, and to many people vinyl is the embodiment of the album.
Radiohead – 2 + 2 = 5 (Hail To The Thief)