Radiohead B-sides Removed From Streaming Services Amid Catalog Transfer
Fans looking to create Spotify playlists with rarities from Radiohead’s 2009 deluxe reissues are out of luck for the time being.
While the original albums remain in tact on streaming platforms, demos, live recordings and other bonus material from Radiohead’s pre-In Rainbows LPs have been removed as the English alt-rockers’ catalog is transferred from Parlophone to XL Recordings. The move is part of Warner Bros.’ divestment of certain catalogs to assorted indie labels.
In a statement, an XL spokesperson implied the disappearance of Radiohead's expanded reissues from streaming services is a temporary side effect of the transition but didn't indicate when or in what capacity the songs would be reinstated. “This is the first step in the transfer of Radiohead’s back catalogue from Parlophone to XL,” the XL rep said. “The main albums are being made available in their original form as a start, before non-LP material is reconfigured.”
Spotify took an optimistic outlook that fans of Radiohead deep cuts probably won’t share, even calling the updates a “streamlined” version of the band’s discog. “As a result of the transfer of Radiohead’s catalogue from Warner Music to [XL’s parent company] Beggars Group, the band’s catalogue on Spotify has been streamlined, meaning that a small number of products are no longer available,” a representative for the streaming platform said. “However, the band’s core album catalogue remains available to their millions of fans on Spotify as before.”
The affected albums span from Radiohead’s 1993 debut Pablo Honey to 2003’s Hail to the Thief.