Free as in Music
The other day, I opened my feed reader for the first time in months and discovered that I had 24,000 unread posts. It almost made me crawl right back into my metaphorical hole.
So if I’m a little behind the curve, please forgive me. I’m slowly catching up. Right now, I’m about to discover when the iPhone gets released and I think Scooter Libby is about to go to jail. I can’t wait to see how the past turns out, so please, nobody spoil the ending for me.
Anyhow, during my hiatus from RSSland, it turns out that I missed a whole bunch of free music. Here are a few recent links worth checking out, particularly the first one, which ostensibly expires July 16.
The Format - Dog Problems
This delightful album came out a year ago, but I only discovered it after Scott recommended it back in January. It’s been a mainstay in my playlists ever since. Dog Problems is eminently likeable, and in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the album, it’s free! Well, at least for another day. The being free part, that is. It’s likeable for many, many days beyond that, I promise you. So go to The Format’s site, sign up for their mailing list, and download away....
Various Artists - OK X
One-year anniversaries are nice and all, but ten-year anniversaries have got to be like ten times better. Particularly when we’re talking about the decennial of one of my favorite albums of all time: Radiohead’s OK Computer. In celebration, the fine folks at Stereogum have put together a pretty fantastic tribute album, with stellar efforts from Dave Bazan’s Black Cloud, My Brightest Diamond, Doveman and others. The highlight for me is Bazan’s “Let Down,” which is a much fuller and more interesting arrangement than the previous Pedro the Lion b-side. Did I mention that it was free? Well it is.
The National - Daytrotter Session
Boxer, the latest from The National, is one of the best albums in what has already been an incredible year of music. The band recently stopped by the Daytrotter studios to record four songs, including “Lucky You,” one of my favorite songs from 2003’s Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. Download all four luscious tracks for the low, low price of free. While you’re there, click around. There’s plenty more free goodness where that came from.
Spoon - “The Underdog”
Okay, so this isn’t a free download. But I can’t stop listening to this song. The newest Spoon album dropped on Tuesday, and iTunes tells me that I’ve already listened to this track some 28 times! Seriously, it’s like crack you can clap along to.
Here’s the video:
Oh, and you can dress them up like the Three Amigos if you want, but Van Morrison still wants his horn section back.
Update: I lied, “The Underdog” is available as a free download. Who loves you?
4 Ripples from “Free as in Music”
Streak says:
July 16, 2007 at 3:53 am
I meant to suggest on the previous post that you start by blogging about music, but I see you beat me to it. Good stuff, and I completely agree about the Spoon song.
Of course, I still blame you for hooking me on the Hold Steady. Now I have to apologize to my wife about the lyrics on, well, all of them--but mostly songs like the “Chillout Tent”
Actually, I think she is hooked too.
Anyway, great to see you back online.
Will says:
July 16, 2007 at 7:49 am
I was wondering what rss feeds you subscribed to for free mp3s. I myself subscribe to Indiefeed: Alternative/Modern Rock Music, Salon: Audiofile, Spinner.com, and XPN’s My Morning Download in my feedreader, and to KCRW’s Today’s Top Tune and KEXP Song of the Day in ITunes. I am always on the lookout for other sources of music. You can email me, if you’d like or just post a reply if you prefer.
BTW, thanks for the links.
zalm says:
July 17, 2007 at 7:13 am
Hi Will,
Actually, the ones you list are the ones I’m subscribed to as well, as far as song-centered podcasts go. The only two I can think of to add are Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current Song of the Day (in the last week alone: new Iron and Wine, Gogol Bordello and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova!) and Indiefeed: Indie Pop Music. You can find both in the podcast directory on iTunes. There’s usually a little bit of overlap, but it’s hard to beat free songs.
Scott says:
November 5, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Wow, this honestly made my day. Even though you wrote this months a go I just read it today. Always good to hear when a recommendation actually makes someone happy.
Also a good day when Ron Paul raises 4 million.
Peace brother.