Free music downloads from a band that’s loved around the world? An exclusive online album release?

Sounds too good to be true, but world superstars Radiohead have done just that with their new album, In Rainbows.

No longer under the thumb of record giant EMI (their last album, 2003’s Hail to the Thief, was the final in a six-record deal), this experimental group have bucked the trend by shouting a resounding ‘Yes’ to music downloads. Not only can you download the new album from their site, you choose your price, flea-market style. If you want, you can pay only the cost of processing your credit card payment. No one will know how many people have bought the new album or what they paid for it, as Radiohead are not revealing sales numbers or the amount paid for each album.

Challenging the system is nothing new for Radiohead; they’ve always been innovators. Although their last three albums – Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief – all reached number one in the charts, these UK rock stars are distinctively experimental in their musical style. Band manager, Bryce Edge, says of the move:

“We’re prepared to take a risk and we might come out looking very foolish. But we believe if your music is great, then people will pay for it.”

Could this be the start of a new trend? Other artists have pulled similar stunts: Prince gave away copies of his last album and The Charlatans are planning to offer free downloads of their next album. Radiohead will release a retail version in early 2008. Fans can also pre-order a “discbox” from the band’s website, which features bonus tracks, a vinyl version of the album and a lyric booklet, as well as the download.

I wonder if any New Zealand bands will follow suit?