Radiohead releases new album of old live recordings

When it was released in 2003, 'Hail to the Thief' was generally well-received. These new recordings come from live performances spanning from the album’s debut through 2009, when Radiohead wrapped its 'In Rainbows' tour.

The live release includes 12 songs compared with the original’s 14. That’s not entirely surprising — many fans, and even frontman Thom Yorke, have said 'Hail to the Thief' may have been a bit too long and overstuffed. The two songs that didn’t make the cut are 'Backdrifts' and 'A Punchup at a Wedding,' trimming more than 10 minutes from the total run time.

Yorke released a statement alongside the release of these live recordings:

For us, back in the day, the finishing of this record was particularly messy and fraught, we were very proud of it but there was a taste left  in our mouths, it was a dark time in so many ways...It has all been a very cathartic process, we very much hope you enjoy them.

Right now, there’s no physical version of 'Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009),' but one is slated for release Oct. 31 — otherwise known as Halloween. That date doesn’t carry quite the same weight in Britain.

Of course, while this is a new Radiohead release, it’s not new music. The wait for that — if it ever comes — continues.

(h/t Pitchfork)