Radiohead is a different kind of band. They also have different kind of business model. They have a new recording called “In Rainbows.” What they don’t have is a record label. So what the band has decided to do is let fans buy “Rainbows” directly from their website in a digital format or as a discbox.

Option one: The discbox will contain the regular studio CD, a bonus CD, a vinyl version of the CD, plus a hardcover book. Cost: £40 (or $57 US). Scheduled to ship on or about Dec. 3rd.

Option two: Get a pre-activation code to download from site. Cost: Pay whatever you want. Available to download Oct. 10.

Different.

One of my favorite guitar-players has just released a new CD. “Kill to Get Crimson” is the title of Mark Knopfler’s latest and Rolling Stone is giving it four stars. This is the fifth solo outing for the former frontman for Dire Straits and the first since his highly-regarded collaboration with Emmy Lou Harris. I listened to some samples for a couple of tracks and each time I hear new music from Knopfler I’m always surprised by what he commits to plastic.  For such an accomplished guitar-player he tends to focus more on crafting a song than demonstrating his playing technique. I suppose this is a good thing, but since his voice is decidedly limited his broader appeal is also limited unless paired with someone like Emmy Lou Harris. He’s also avoided anything that hints at rock since putting Straits on hold. Fortunately this still leaves a lot of musical territory to cover and since Knopfler can pick a fretboard like Chet Atkins he can credibly venture into country and blues with worthwhile results. To hear a track or to read more about the guitarist check out his site at http://www.markknopfler.com. According to his tour itinerary, he’ll be on the road in North America in the near future.

One of my favorite songwriters on the planet has returned from a self-imposed exile to release her first new recording in years. Joni Mitchell has joined Paul McCartney and James Taylor to produce work exclusively for Starbucks’ own music label, Hear Music. They must have done something to make her happy, because the last time she spoke publicly about her music career, it was in the past tense. It looks like their angling for the adult contemporary audience (aging boomers) that mainstream labels have been giving the cold shoulder.

Anyway, it’s good news for fans of the Canadian songstress. Song samples can be heard at Mojo magazine’s site. 

Bruce Springsteen is giving away the first single from his forthcoming release on iTunes. You can also pre-order the album for only $8.99.

I’m listening to it right now. I likes it. I likes it a lot.

Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks have reunited to create a followup to “Smile,” Entitled “That Lucky Old Sun (A Narrative). The full project is scheduled to be released on Sept. 10, but a sample song, “Midnight’s Another Day,” can be streamed from Brian’s site.

The music-lover’s favorite TV show, Austin City Limits has announced a stellar lineup for this year’s season on PBS. Scheduled to appear are: Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, The Decemberists (one of my faves), Aracde Fire, John Mayer, Crowded House, Bloc Party, Explosions in the Sky (bringing their ambient guitars from the Texas plains) and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Yep. The John Lennon Collection is now available on iTunes.

One of the more unique pairings in recent years has Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) and Alison Krauss performing tunes by Tom Waits, Sam Phillips, Mel Tillis, Gene Clark and Townes Van Zandt. The CD is scheduled to be released at the end of October and is tour is said to be in the works for spring of ‘08. T-Bone Burnett produced the proceedings.

http://www.sloanmusic.com/news/2007/july/ivegottatry1

Fellow blogger and all-around good guy, Rob Gorczyca told us about a tribute to Radiohead’s OK Computer on Stereogum.com

It’s the tenth anniversary (where does the time go?) of the recording and Stereogum has enlisted 13 different performers to offer their spin on Radiohead’s ode to anxiety. I think the highlight is My Brightest Diamond performing “Lucky.”