Radiohead to self-release new album on Web site

Using its position as one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Radiohead is attempting a game-changing move on the music industry. Music blogs were aflutter Monday at the news that the group is releasing its latest newest album itself via its Web site, radiohead.com, on Oct. 10.

Titled "In Rainbows," the two-CD set is being released digitally without record label support and being marketed by word-of-mouth.

In a move sure to rankle the suits of music-industry behemoths, both on the label and digital music store side, Radiohead is allowing fans to pay whatever they wish for the privilege of downloading the tracks on the 10th. The price? "It's up to you." That's an intriguing experiment that may well test what music lovers think is fair market value.

Given the goodwill the band is showing in making this offer, it'll be interesting to see whether vast amounts of people will try to score the album for next to nothing, or if the fan base will help set a pricing structure that's equitable for all parties.

For those who still enjoy album art and artistic packaging, a deluxe two-CD, two-LP set will be available starting in December. That set will also include a collection of the band's art and a bevy of photographs. Pre-orders for both started Sunday, with the deluxe set being mailed from Britain starting Dec. 3 at the cost of £40, now more than $80 across the pond. Those who pony up for the set will also will receive the downloads on Oct. 10.