It must be tough being the greatest band in the world.  Radiohead, seemingly devoid of challengers to that throne, has now been forced to make up its own obstacles.  Their latest release, "In Rainbows," is not only a standout in a long career with nothing but standouts, but a revolution in the way music is distributed.

Radiohead, currently working without the help of a major record label, announced the existence of "In Rainbows" merely ten days ago.  The album is currently only available as a download through the band's website.  That alone is not what makes this release such a breakthrough.  The band has asked fans to name their own price for the new album.  That means the album, for all intents and purposes, is free.  Of course, die-hard Radiohead fans (like myself) might want to toss a few bucks the band's way.

All this talk of revolution in the distribution of music would not mean anything if the music was not any good. Luckily, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.  Radiohead has taken their sweet time recording this album (it has been over four years since their last album, "Hail to the Thief" was released), and that time in the studio really shows.

Radiohead's catalog features masterpiece after masterpiece, with each album completely redefining the band's sound.  On "In Rainbows," the band again reinvents their sound, drawing from a large number of genres.

"In Rainbows" is not only a standout in a long career with nothing but standouts, but a revolution in the way music is distributed. 

The first half of the album draws heavily from trip-hop, as well as the band's typical rock and electronica sound.  The second half is far more orchestrated, lush and downright beautiful.  Strings swell in and out of the tracks.  Lead singer Thom Yorke's voice has never sounded quite this amazing.  The pain and beauty in his voice, coupled with the power of the music, creates what amounts to a sonic kaleidoscope.

The album's lead-off track, "15 Step," is the band's most confident opener in ten years.  Yorke sings against a sparse beat, until the band kicks in and the album really gets going.  Songs like "Nude," which the band has been performing for over a decade, "House of Cards," one of the only Radiohead songs that can truly be called a love song and "Videotape," the album's closer, are standout tracks.

Radiohead manages to collect the sounds of their past without ever sounding like a greatest hits record.  The album has a genuine flow that few albums are able to equal.  Never once does "In Rainbows" let up, with each track offering just as many surprises as the last.  Also, as with every other Radiohead album, the songs reveal hidden secrets after repeat listens.  While the album immediately grabs the listener, its full beauty is not revealed until several spins.

It is sometimes hard to remember that Radiohead really is not a "new" band.  They have been together in some form or fashion for 20 years now, and their breakout first single, "Creep," is nearly 15 years old.  Yet, they possess a freshness and vitality unlike any other band currently making music.  In a year of outstanding releases from bands such as Arcade Fire, The White Stripes and Kanye West, Radiohead's latest reigns supreme.