Thom Yorke is going to release a solo album

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060515/ap_en_mu/music_thom_yorke

NEW YORK - Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke will release his first solo album, "The Eraser," in July.

Yorke says he doesn't want to hear rumors of a rift with the band — or even the word "solo."

"This was all done with (the band's) blessing," he says. "And I don't want to hear that word solo. Doesn't sound right."

Yorke released a statement this weekend to various Radiohead fan sites disclosing the album, which he played on and wrote. Independent label XL Recordings said it would release the disc in the United Kingdom on July 10 and in the U.S. on July 11.

"The elements have been kicking round now for a few years and needed to be finished," says Yorke, 37. "I have been itching to do something like this for ages. It was fun and quick to do."

The album was produced and arranged by frequent Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Yorke says the music is "more beats and electronic," adding, "but it's songs." A track list of nine songs was released, as was the cover art by Stanley Donwood, who has frequently worked with Radiohead.

Radiohead is now touring Europe and, according to Yorke, writing new songs. After the tour concludes in late August, they plan to return to the studio to record their seventh album.