British rock group Radiohead has completed a deal with guitarist and songwriter 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 Kindgdom 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.
In Rainbows was first made available October 10 via Radiohead.com, just 10 days after the band announced the album was complete.
About 38 percent of the fans who downloaded the album in October paid something for the recording, according to industry tracking service Comscore. Radiohead representatives
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.
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