The world is going Portishead mad at the moment. No wonder really seeing as it was 300 years since their last release. Suffice to say, I've been stupidly giddy about hearing their new album. Well, good news for those that have been getting worked up like me as the group are to release their new album online before it hits the high street.

As from next Monday, April 21st, all 11 tracks from 'Third' will be available from 21 April on Last.fm. It will be free to listen to the tracks online, but users will have to pay to download the tunes to their computer or digital music player.

Martin Stiksel, Last.fm co-founder, said: "Portishead was the first artist we ever uploaded to Last.fm, and 'Cowboys' from their second album was the first track ever played when we went live in 2002. So it's hugely appropriate that we kick off what aims to be an ongoing series of exclusive album previews with the band that helped us kick off Last.fm".

This is the first time that Last.fm, which offers free access to the largest licensed catalogue of music on the Web, has collaborated with an individual artist to exclusively premier an album before its official release. [via Pocket Lint]

Came straight to this page? Visit www.mychemicaltoilet.com for all the latest news.