In Rainbows snags #1 spot [UPDATED]

Even though Radiohead released In Rainbows online via the "pay what you want" model in October, the album still topped the Top 200 album charts during it's first week on shelves.

The album sold over 122,00 units. Oddly enough, it is reported that about 25% of the album's first week sales were digital downloads.

Though 122,000 units sold is good opening week for a record, it is safe to say that by releasing the album on January 1, there was little to no competition for the #1 spot. Alicia Keys' album, As I Am, came out in November has already sold over 3 million units and sold another 112,00 during the first week of 2008. Radiohead squeaked by Alicia Keys by approximately 10,000 records.

Radiohead's 2003 album, Hail To the Thief, sold over 300,000 copies in it's first week on shelves.

In Rainbows prematurely entered the top 200 chart a week early at #156 due to "street date violations." Apparently, more places than Circuit City in Cary put the album on shelves early but unlike Circuit City, other retailers were actually selling the record.

Circuit City goofs on "In Rainbows"

Radiohead's In Rainbows was undoubtedly one of the most talked about releases in music this year. But, as of yet, it's not available in stores. Unless you live in Cary.

The Circuit City at Crossroads had six copies of the album on the shelf this evening.

However, Circuit City's computers were smarter than the staff who put the album out in the first place and wouldn't let the clerk at customer service ring it up.

Better luck next time, I suppose. The CD will be officially released Tuesday, Jan. 1.

New Radiohead album out in ten days

Radiohead have annouced via their website that their new album is finished and will be released digitally in ten days. The album is called In Rainbows and will be exclusively available via inrainbows.com. You can pre-order the album now.

Buyers have two options. One is the album download only which will be available on October 10. The second option, is being called the "discbox." The set will include the album download on October 10 plus the album on CD and two 12-inch heavyweight vinyl records. The "discbox" will also include a second CD which will contain more new songs along with an enhanced feature that will have photos and artwork. It also includes artwork and a lyric book. All of the "discbox" items will be encased in a hardback book and slipcase. All of the "discbox" items will ship on or before December 3.

The "discbox" set will be £40.00 which is approximately $81.00. It's a little steep, but you get tons of cool stuff. Here's the crazy part. How much is the download only you ask? You get to name your own price. No, you really get to name your own price. It's quite ballsy of Radiohead. I'm not sure if there is a minimum. Theoretically, you could pay £.01 or quite possibly nothing.

Here's the album tracklist for the album:
15 STEP
BODYSNATCHERS
NUDE
WEIRD FISHES/ARPEGGI
ALL I NEED
FAUST ARP
RECKONER
HOUSE OF CARDS
JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE
VIDEOTAPE

Here's the tracklist for the bonus CD that is included with the "discbox":
MK 1
DOWN IS THE NEW UP
GO SLOWLY
MK 2
LAST FLOWERS
UP ON THE LADDER
BANGERS AND MASH
4 MINUTE WARNING

For those who don't know, Radiohead's contract ran out with their last album, Hail to the Thief. The release of In Rainbows is like a big middle finger to the record industry. Without the label red tape, they are album to release the album as soon as it's done, on their own. Radiohead has been set free and are setting out to break all the rules.

So what do you think, is this the wave of the future?