With the #1 album in the U.S. and other markets around the globe, Radiohead has probably received more attention from the mainstream music press and the music blogs worldwide than any other band in the past six months. And it was no accident.

Radiohead broke out and totally embraced rock fans in a revolutionary way, initially having released their classic album In Rainbows on the Internet last fall and allowing fans to decide how much they were willing to pay for and download it. (However, now you have to buy the album, but it is arguably worth it.)

Through such innovative marketing and distribution techniques, like free and name-your-price offerings of its music, specially packaged disc sets by the band members (and not a major label) and live webcasts (such as last evening's London webcast at radiohead.tv).

In addition, by setting up and regularly updating pages on various social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, Radiohead has made In Rainbows not just one of the most important albums of 2007 and 2008, but perhaps one of the decade's best albums of all.

Not only is the band remaining relevant 15 or so years after rising to fame with releases like Creep, The Bends and OK Computer, band members Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar), Ed O'Brien (guitar, vocals), Jonny Greenwood (guitar), Colin Greenwood (bass), and Phil Selway (drums) are pursuing all kinds of multimedia projects using the Internet and pushing the envelope in ways to reach fans and attract new fans as well.

But at the end of the day, the evidence is in the music. If In Rainbows sucked, it wouldn't have mattered how much the band and their two new labels promoted it. The band decided to sign on with TBD and XL Records, ditching EMI after a failed reunion with their former label.

Thom was so enraged by "lies" about what went on 'behind the scenes' that led to the rift with Radiohead and EMI, and wrote this semi-rant on the band's blog right after Christmas (left all of Thom's own writing style):

we did not ask for a load of cash from our old record label EMI to re- sign. that is a L I E.
The Times in the UK should check its facts before it prints such dirt.

whAT we WANTED WAS some control over OUR WOrK and how it was used in the future by them-that seemed REASONAblE to us, as we cared about it a great deal.

Mr Hands was not interested. So neither were we.

We made the sign of the cross and walked away. Sadly.

We are extremely upset that this crap is being spread about.

To bedigging up such bullshit, or more politely airing yer dirty laundry in public,
seems a very strange way for the head of an international record label to be proceeding.

On a happier note we took no 'BRead-HEAd' advances at all from both independent labels XL and TBD for our new record.

So judge for yourself.

AND we are really excited to be working with them. SHock!

AT least they do not behave like confused bulls in a china shop.

much love - Thom

On the advice of the police and the local council, it was decided to change the venue to the larger one in the interests of public safety and due to the size of the crowd that turned up for the event. Rough Trade and the band apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Labels: Albums: In Rainbows, Alternative Rock, ATT Webcasts, Best Alternative 2007, Best Indie 2007, Online Music, Radiohead

There are always plenty of shows to see in Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill, North Carolina area, commonly called "The Triangle."

Upcoming performances include shows from Eberhardt, Butane Variations, Leon Russell, Lotus, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Yeasayer.

Despite their relative popularity right now in the 'underground' music world, Tri-Cities music critic Grayson Currin isn't expecting much from Yeasayer (who made many best indie songs of 2007 blog lists with the release of All Hour Cymbals):

Sonically, Yeasayer isn't far removed from the Technicolor melodic phases of TV on the Radio or the hard rhythm-versus-smeared sound technique of Animal Collective, but its apocalyptic images emerge from its sonic mess without much punch.

New York nothings with major-label moneys who fall in the same why-does-this-matter genus. Chapel Hill's Soft Company is the better band on the bill

Labels: 2008 Indie Shows, Chapell Hill, Durham, Indie Venues, North Carolina Concerts, Raleigh, The Triangle

Arctic Monkeys, riding high on the success of their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare, and their new single "Teddy Picker" (video below), are resting up following a nearly non-stop touring schedule in 2007.

Last month, the band launched a 11-day, seven-show sold-out concert tour of the U.K. and the Netherlands. The tour extended from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15 with the final show of 2007 performed at Manchester's Apollo Theatre.

For hard-core fans, you may be interested to know that Warped Films - which has produced some wildly successful British film since 2003, including Dead Man's Shoes and This is England - was at the Apollo filming the show. The "theatrical" DVD special is expected to be released in the spring.

Warped also filmed Arctic Monkey's short film Scummy Man.

By the way, after much searching, I was able to get my hands on an exclusive and rare print (handed out at the shows in December) of the Arctic Monkey's "Christmas special" with Big Issue magazine.

The spread includes many photos of the usually shy band members and an extensive article.

"Teddy Picker" video - released Dec. 31, 2007

Labels: 2007 Indie Concerts, Alternative Christmas Songs, Arctic Monkeys, Arctic Monkeys Live, Arctic Monkeys Show, Arctic Monkeys: Concerts, Arctic Monkeys: Tour, Indie Music Videos, YouTube Music Videos