Who: The Sultans of Sorrow, Governors of Gloom, Bosses of Bleak; Radiohead.

What: Their eighth studio album; their first since October 2007; The King of Limbs

When: Saturday 19 February 2011 (MP3/WAV), 9 May 2011 (Hard-release/”Newspaper Edition”)

Where: England

Digital MP3/WAV and Hard-release; http://thekingoflimbs.com/

Why: Who else would announce their eighth album release the morning after the Grammys and the BAFTAs? There has been a lot rumors of another release this year, and, in true Radiohead form, this mornings announcement came as a surprise to everyone. The blogosphere has been talking a lot about the format of the release. The band is releasing The King of Limbs through their website, once again, but is not in the pay-what-you-like format of In Rainbows. Instead, the album will cost you $9 as a pre-order, and you will be able to download it beginning on Saturday. There hasn’t been much talk yet about the actual recordings and the music that will be included in the album. One Japanese website stated that it will have 8 tracks, but nothing is sure yet. The albums title, if it says anything abut the content of the collection, is a a reference to the ancient oak tree which resides 3 miles away from Tottenham Court House, the location of the recording of In Rainbows.

Radiohead fans are eagerly anticipating a strong release and are hoping that it will be a good followup to In Rainbows. We are wondering what direction Thom and the boys will take us in this time–a politically charged Hail to the Thief direction, a languishing Kid A/Amnesiac, an introspective, lovesick In Rainbows, or perhaps (hopefully) an unexplored, fresh angle from the veteran muses.

Thom Yorke is quoted of late as saying that “it’s simply a matter of time – months rather than years – before the music business establishment completely folds.” So we know that Radiohead hasn’t given up their commitment to music for the sake of art and not BAFTAs or Grammys.

Whatever ends up happening, we’re all excited.

The band’s website says that we can either order the album in WAV/MP3 format by Saturday or wait for the “Newspaper Album” (we’re not sure exactly what the title denotes) which is a hard copy on May 9 including:

Two clear 10″ vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve.

A compact disc.

Many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradeable plastic to hold it all together.

The Newspaper Album comes with a digital download that is compatible with all good digital media players.

The Newspaper Album will be shipped on Monday 9th May 2011 you can, however, enjoy the download on Saturday 19th February 2011.

Shipping is included in the prices shown.

One lucky owner of the digital version of The King Of Limbs, purchased from this website, will receive a signed 2 track 12″ vinyl.

Stay tuned to Second To Last and Dead Air Space (Radiohead’s blog) throughout the week for breaking news.

–Eric Rhodes