The music business definitely took a sharp turn today with the Internet release of Radiohead’s latest album.

Downloading and file sharing music has been employed by listeners for years now - just review the steady decline in traditional record sales for proof. But never has a commercially- and critically-acclaimed artist used the Internet as the only means to unveil new work.

Not only do Radiohead fans not have to leave the house this morning, they also can set the price they want to pay for In Rainbows. The band leaves it up to the consumer to set the value of 10 songs.

This listener paid the American equivalent of roughly six bucks (I actually offered less than that but paid twice, thinking that the system hadn’t recognized my first order).

I got my money’s worth. The album steals from the past - some electronic influences - and offers some new approaches: a funky-sounding "Bodysnatchers," for instance. It also closes quietly with the subdued "Jigsaw Falling into Place" and "Videotape."

I can’t offer more than that because I’ve given it only one spin. Like any dense Radiohead album, I’ll need months to give a full, complete assessment. I like that.

Check out Radiohead.com if you haven’t already, or just wait until January when a physical CD hits stores.