By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 12:10 PM EST

iPhone and iPod touch users will soon be able to purchase and download 'interactive albums' from Apple's iTunes store that will include an App Store application loaded with extras, according to a new report.

MusicWeek claims that Snow Patrol, an alternative rock band from northern Ireland, will become the first artist to offer one of the applications for download alongside the release of its fifth studio album next month titled Hundred Million Suns.

Extra content available though the app will include exclusive artwork, behind-the-scenes images, and lyrics, according to the report.

Apple reportedly plans to deliver extras for several other albums in the coming months, though its unclear if the company will catalog media from various artists into a single extras application or distribute separate apps with each album.

The move, as noted by TechCrunch, stands to undermine one of the few remaining advantages of traditional CDs. It will also mark the first time that music artists have been able to tap into the added capabilities of Apple's multi-touch platform.

Snow Patrol’s new album is expected to hit the digital shelves of iTunes around October 27.