The Raconteurs 'didn't want to announce album at all'

Ben Beardsworth, managing director of XL records, the man in charge of the release of The Raconteurs' 'The Consolers Of The Lonely', has told NME.COM that the band didn’t want to make any announcement at all about the release of the album, so it would simply appear in the shops today (March 25).

Speaking to NME.COM, Beardsworth explained that the only reason there was any announcement at all about the album was because they had to inform the shops in enough time to let them stock the album.

"That was the reason for announcing it a week ahead of the release date," Beardsworth said, referring to the need to inform retailers about the album. "We had to tell more and more shops – that's why it was announced a week ahead."

Beardworth added that the idea behind the unconventional release style of the album was "very much driven by the band", and that the album was mixed at the beginning of March, meaning it was in shops within three weeks of being completed.

For the full interview with Beardsworth and a preview of The Raconteurs' new album, see the new issue of NME, out today (March 25) in London and on newsstands nationwide from tomorrow (26).