Radiohead is thinking about the future again.

Ten years ago, the British band released their landmark album “OK Computer” – a masterpiece hailed as visionary for forecasting a soul-crushing, computerized dystopia.

Sounds a little like today’s music industry.

On Monday, Radiohead sent shockwaves through the music biz with the announcement that its new album, “In Rainbows,” will be released for download from www.radiohead.com on Oct. 10. The price? Whatever you choose. You elect how much to pay, be it $1, $15 or $100 (a special edition box set with a vinyl version and other items is also available for approximately $81).

After releasing all six of their previous albums with Capitol Records, Radiohead doesn’t currently have a record contract. “In Rainbows” will be available as a DRM-free MP3 download.

Major labels aren’t the only ones pondering a potentially bleak financial future where the public expects recorded music to be free. Bands, too, need to find a solution, and Radiohead just proved they’re as willing to experiment with distribution as with sonic soundscapes.

Naturally, guitarist Jonny Greenwood announced the album in a Web posting: “The new album is finished, and it’s coming out in ten days,” he wrote succinctly.

Radiohead’s public relations firm shortly thereafter announced that there will be no advance copies or digital streams for press or anyone else before Oct. 10.

This could be seen as a way of eliminating the possibility of the album leaking, which typically occurs via advance copies. Fans needn’t download it illegally, since they can download it for a penny – or technically more like two pennies, because the lowest option is one British pence.

Radiohead is now discussing contract possibilities with several labels, as the band is planning a traditional CD release for early next year.