Jacob Ganz

Radiohead shook up the music industry last week, when it announced that its new album would not be released as a CD, or as a download through iTunes. Instead, it is offering In Rainbows through its own Web site for whatever price each customer decides to pay — even nothing.

In Rainbows, Radiohead's first album since 2005, will appear online Oct. 10, with a specially-boxed CD/LP set to follow in December. The band is working without a label and the album will debut on the Radiohead Web site.

In the last six months, singer-songwriter Ryan Adams hasn't released a new record. This may not seem remarkable, but last year Adams put out three CDs in the space of seven months. He has recently been in New York, preparing his next album.

There are some genuinely thrilling moments contained in the five movies nominated this year for a best picture Academy Award. There is not, however, a single sincere laugh, notes Jacob Ganz. He offers the case for a comedy category.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! is but one of scores of bands making music without the help a record label, pressing CDs themselves and selling them at concerts and on the Internet.