Interesting to see that everyone's favourite miserablists Radiohead are offering up the component tracks of their current single Nude for interested fanboys to remix. Lots of acts do this these days, and it's a nice idea. Another PR strand for the band in question, not to mention free remixes. Bedroom producers get their names out there. Everyone's happy.
I recall Byrne & Eno throwing us a couple of tracks in the same manner when the 25th anniversary re-release of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts came 'round a couple of years back. However, the Radioheads have put their own interesting spin on this idea; Potential remixers have to pay for the privilege. Yep, fans need to purchase the component tracks (now apparently referred to as stems) from Itunes.
So to date, anyone interested in owning the album In Rainbows has (optionally) paid for the initial download/shelled out big-style for the deluxe box-set/purchased the proper CD. I picked up the latter myself at Virgin just after Christmas for a cool £10. Called into Asda on the way home and found the same CD for £4.97. Now they want more of your money for the honour of remixing one of their songs.
A real error of judgement in an otherwise innovative and apparently highly successful marketing campaign, this sad ploy is the sound of them falling at the last fence. Much as I'm down with da 'heads, it'd be nice if no-one bothered in this instance.