New Radiohead album out today! yayayayay

[Pilgermann]

Currently Radiohead aren't signed to any labels (they're in the works, though) and they released In Rainbows as a download only earlier today.  But here's what's neat:  if you choose to buy it, you can pay however much you want to download it.  So you could pay $1 or $100 if you felt like it.  They're also taking orders for a "Disc Box" that includes two vinyl records, 2 CDs (there are extra tracks not available to download), a book of artwork, and it's all stored in a big hardbound book that comes with a slipcase.  These are ₤40 each (about $81) so they're not for the casual fan, but they're each made to order, and the price includes shipping to anywhere in the world.  As soon as I have the extra bucks I'll be buying one.

Oh, and I'm mildly ashamed to say that I downloaded the album through a torrent.  But I figured if I'm going to shell out $81 eventually then where's the harm?

It's an awesome album, by the way.  Their best since Kid A and kind of reaches the heights of OK Computer at times.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

So far I have heard two songs from it on the radio.  One I loved, and one I hated.  So its a real toss up if I bother buying it.  I want to like it, but I have been idsappointed by Radiohead before. 
-Ed

[voltron]

I downloaded it from Soulseek and gave it a quick listen, and honestly I wasn't all that impressed. I think I have to really sit down and give it some major attention though, because I wasn't really taken with OK Computer on the first listen either. Of course, I grew to love it.....

[Rev. Powell]

I didn't download it, but a word of warning to audiophiles: on another board they were complaining that the mp3 had a bitrate of only 160KBPS.  Several people said they wouldn't have bought it or would have paid less had they known the sound quality was that low.

[Pilgermann]

For 160kbps it sounds really good.  I think it's encoded with a VBR so you don't get any of that awful "swishy" sound.  I'm extremely picky about sound quality and these tracks sound fine.   I'd happily pay $5-$8 for it (but I'm saving my money for the Disc Box).

You could pay 50 cents for the download, or nothing at all if you feel so inclined.  They're leaving the payment up to the consumer.  You have nothing to lose from downloading it.

I've listened to the album a few times now and I love it.  It's certainly better than Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief.  It doesn't achieve the greatness of OK Computer but I think it stands alongside The Bends and Kid A just fine.