Radiohead website crippled by demand for new album

Fans trying to pre-order the new record, titled In Rainbows, have been encountering difficulty at the download site inrainbows.com

Guitarist Johnny Greenwood told the official Radiohead website: "Just to let you know... [official website] w.a.s.t.e are working on the current gear-grinding at inrainbows.com... it's getting busy in there - busier than they expected. So, if you please bear with us, it should get cleared out soon. I sound like a bouncer. Get behind the rope. No denim. Thanks for your patience with the site + interest in the record."

In Rainbows will be available to download on October 10. The band are to leave the 'price' field blank, letting fans decide how much they will pay for the album. Online polls have suggested the average price people plan to pay is in the region of £5.

A special edition 'discbox' of the album, costing £40 will be released on December 3. It contains In Rainbows on CD and on two 12" heavyweight vinyl records. There is also a second enhanced CD containing more new songs, along with digital photographs and artwork. The set also includes lyric booklets and will be encased in a hardback book and slipcase.

It was also announced this week that The Charlatans will be giving away their new album as a free download on Xfm.co.uk. The first single from the album will be available to download from 22 October, with the full record being released early next year. Manager Alan McGee said of the plan: "The band will get paid by more people coming to gigs, buying merchandise, publishing and sync fees. I believe it's the future business model."