I have a confession to make: I bought my very first Radiohead album today.

I know, I know…Kid A…OK Computer…blah, blah, blah. What can I say, it took the hype behind the way their latest album, In Rainbows, is being released to really grab my attention (for those of you who don’t know, it can be bought and subsequently downloaded at Radiohead’s website for whatever amount you choose…it’s true…seriously). So, on a lark, I tossed the band a few digital Pound-Sterling and slapped on the big comfy headphones (newly purchased from eBay, no less).

That said, what does a previously ambivalent listener like myself think of the new album? I must say, it’s pretty damn good. Diverse, layered and addictive, there’s really nothing here not to like—especially given the fact that you can get it completely free if you so choose, though it’s definitely worth a few bucks in my opinion.

In fact, if there is any criticism I have for In Rainbows it’s more to do with nit-picky details of its release. For instance:

1) Throw your supporters a bone and at least include a cover shot in the ZIP package—if not full artwork (no-frills package to spur orders for the souped-up Discbox, maybe? Hmm, on that topic, will there be a vinyl option in future that doesn’t necessitate the 40 Pound price-tag?).

2) Also, while MP3s encoded at 160kbps are better than average, it wouldn’t have been too much to ask for better (CD quality 192kpbs perhaps?).

3) Not to mention the slightly irksome feeling towards the level of personal information I was asked to enter prior to receiving my download (why does Radiohead need my phone-number–is Thom Yorke going to call me for dating advice?).

Of course, given that this really is a trial effort of a potentially ground-breaking new method of distribution, there are bound to be bugs.

Nevertheless, the moment I read about these new tactics I heard the collective shlop of record executives filling their pants in fear; I also sensed the drool collecting on the chins of insubordinate indie supporters everywhere. There are new rules to the game now, folks. Sure, for the moment these new rules might only apply to bands that happen to be able to afford the status of being among the biggest in the world, but it’s a start. Of course, I suppose the simple fact that a usually uninterested listener like myself bought In Rainbows at all is indicative of the potential for success in this new approach (or at least the inherent novelty).

That said, I wouldn’t call myself a total Radiohead convert just yet, but if someone tossed a few of their previous releases my way I wouldn’t skeet shoot ‘em.

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Once again, you can download In Rainbows here for whatever you’d like to pay. In the meantime, let’s throwback to a more innocent time, shall we?