New Radiohead Appears Online Ten Weeks Early

I was shocked to find Radiohead's upcoming album on alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.indie a full three months ahead of it's scheduled release date. It appears to be rough mixes of the disc, though. On first listen, it does seem a bit similar to Amnesiac and Kid A - maybe a bit more tuneful but still "experimental".

Rumor is that the band made the disc available online - they did this with Kid A and against the standard industry belief that it cuts sales it debuted at number one. But that doesn't mean that Capitol still doesn't get it...witness this letter that was sent to a website that hosted mp3's of the disc:

Dear Mr. McGuire:

I am writing on behalf of our Capitol Records label. It has recently come to our attention that you have been offering for download, on your website http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bmcguir/mp3.html, copies of sound recordings containing the performances of Radiohead that are owned or controlled by Capitol Records. Specifically, you have posted on your website copies of the sound recordings entitled "2+2=5," "Sit Down, Stand Up," "Sail to The Moon," "Backdrifts," "Go to Sleep" "Where I End and You Begin," "We Suck Young Blood," "The Gloaming," "There There," "I Will," "A Punch-Up At A Wedding," "Myxomatosis," "Scatterbrain," and "A Wolf At The Door" performed by Radiohead.

We hereby demand that you:

1. cease and desist immediately upon receipt of this e-mail from offering for download the aforementioned recordings; and

2. provide me with:

(i) the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the person or company from which you received or purchased the CDs or MP3s from; and

(ii) a representation that all unauthorized activity with respect to the MP3s ceased upon receipt of this e-mail and will not be resumed in the future; and

3. Return the CDs or MP3s to me forthwith.

Please immediately confirm that you will comply with these demands. Unless we hear from you by Thursday, April 3, 5:00 p.m. EDT, Capitol intends to pursue its other remedies.

This is written without prejudice to any of our rights or remedies, all of which are expressly reserved.

Sincerely yours,

David Helfer, Esq.
EMI Recorded Music, North America
150 Fifth Avenue
11th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Office: (212) 786-8107
Fax: (212) 786-8133




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