Radiohead sets U.S. deal for new album release

NEW YORK (Billboard) - British rock group Radiohead has completed a deal with Dave Matthews' ATO Records Group for the U.S. release of its new album, which fans can download from the Web for a price of their choosing.

"In Rainbows," to be released on a new imprint dubbed TBD Records, will arrive January 1, one day after being issued in the United Kingdom by XL Recordings, which handles such acts as the White Stripes and Devendra Banhart.

In recent weeks, ATO quickly emerged as the front-runner and most attractive U.S. home for Radiohead, which recorded for EMI until 2005. Although no official relationship with the band was announced beforehand, ATO has been working the Radiohead tracks "Bodysnatchers" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" to U.S. radio for the past couple of weeks.

As for the meaning of TBD Records, a spokesperson said, "we ran into trouble in trying to clear all previously discussed potential label names."

"In Rainbows" was first made available October 10 via Radiohead.com, just 10 days after the band announced the album was complete. Fans were given the option to name their own price for a download of the album, which is also being sold in a deluxe discbox edition with CD and vinyl. That package ships "on or before December 3," according to the site.

Radiohead will support "In Rainbows" with world tour dates beginning next spring. The group returned to action with a live Webcast Friday on its site, featuring performances of songs from the new album.

Other ATO acts include Patty Griffin, Gomez, My Morning Jacket and Crowded House. Matthews co-founded New York-based ATO (According To Our) Records with his manager and two associates.

Reuters/Billboard