Radiohead comes to iTunes

Alternative rock band Radiohead has added its latest album, 'In Rainbows,' to Apple's iTunes Store. The musical group's recording contract with major label EMI ended in 2004, and the band recorded as well as produced 'In Rainbows' without the help of a major label. The band sold copies of its album digitally online in October, allowing customers to choose their own price for the work. Radiohead was silent on official sales figures, but one report placed 1.2 million copies of the album on the hard drives of consumers on the first day of its release.

The British rock band was reported to be considering a deal with iTunes earlier this month, but had previously refrained from selling tracks individually while citing licensing issues as well as artistic concerns.

Lead singer Thom Yorke told Time just before Radiohead began recording songs for 'In Rainbows' that: "I like the people at our record company, but the time is at hand when you have to ask why anyone needs one... It probably would give us some perverse pleasure to say 'fuck you' to this decaying business model." The group chose not to re-sign its contract with EMI, and its latest album is being praised by many as its finest work yet.

by MacNN Staff