Radiohead Boxset Raises Controversy

On December 10, EMI/Parlophone are releasing a limited edition box set of Radiohead’s first 7 albums in three interesting formats - a CD box set, digital download, and 4GB USB stick. The download contains 320 kbps DRM-free MP3s and the USB stick contains cd-quality WAV files.

While the set (particularly that USB stick) looks tasty, a reader over at Boing Boing has suggested that EMI is putting out the reissues without the band’s participation and as retribution for their unconventional In Rainbows release. The tipster says:

“I think people need to know that the band isn’t some greed machine. I can tell you with 100% certainty that EMI is putting out all those reissues without the band’s participation, blessing, permission or involvement at all. They are doing it as retribution for the band’s decision not to go with them in releasing the new album. Despite their contract being expired, EMI had been counting on the revenue from the forthcoming album. When the band put out the digital version of the album themselves, EMI threatened them with re-releasing their entire catalog on the same day the discbox of IN RAINBOWS was being sent out, Dec 10, unless the band gave EMI the standard physical release of the album. Of course the band/managers told EMI to piss off and were appalled that at such an important point in the band’s career that their former partners would do this to them.”