The grand experiment that rocked the music industry in October comes full circle this week, as Radiohead issues the physical version of its acclaimed In Rainbows across the planet on a variety of record labels. Issued here December 31 on the ATO Records imprint as a standard CD, the project is also available in an import-only "special edition disc box" featuring a two-LP vinyl set, a bonus CD, elaborate artwork, and photos in a hardback book and slipcase. For those who coughed up whatever they thought was fair for the album as a download, DJ/producer Ampline is offering up a tasty treat next week in Rainayz Remixes - a download of In Rainbows remixes available free if you prove with your e-mail receipt that you participated in the groundbreaking "pay what you like" online release.

Kim Wiseman & Mark A. Johnson, Visiting Old Friends at Christmas

This holiday album announces itself with three trumpet blares, and by the time you've checked the case to make sure you haven't made some mistake - Is this mariachi? - the familiar lyrics of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" have clarified what's going on: The CD from Quad Cities vocalist Kim Wiseman and producer/arranger/musician Mark A. Johnson is a modern take on Christmas classics and a few more contemporary songs.

With so many recent pop albums offering up only one or two decent, memorable songs and top-selling artists taking years upon years between mediocre releases, it's no surprise that music continues to slide into nothing more than computer files shared between MP3 players, personal computers, and 10-cent blank CDs. Not to sound like a crusty ol' curmudgeon, but sheeeee-it, I can feel my cerebellum shake when I think that over the course of 28 months, from August of 1965 to November of 1967, the Beatles released Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Magical Mystery Tour. Imagine my joy, when my teenage son's pals' Christmas wish lists are yearning for "real" copies of The White Album or gift certificates to buy "classic" used vinyl LPs at the ever-dwindling local record store. Wanna save American youth? Pick up any working turntables you might come across at yard sales, and place them at the feet of the next generation.

The Chicago Afrobeat Project could not have a more plainly descriptive name, yet the band's new CD transcends the ordinary. The group, which returns to the Quad Cities with a show on Friday at the Redstone Room, does its fair share of aimless jamming - all pleasant - but on several occasions it reaches highs that lift up the whole endeavor.