iTunes: Free Thursday (original) (raw)
Once again, it's Tuesday Thursday and TUAW is pleased to present you with a selection of free songs and videos from around the world. Many of these iTMS items won't be free for long--so grab your copies before the week is up. I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this out this week, between Leopard and Bonjour, I have been in a complete daze.
US Music
US: Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Snake Devil
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. "Snake Devil" is a track from the Arizona band Scary Kids Scaring Kids' self-titled second album. "Snake Devil" is the sort of song you would expect to hear blazing out of your older brother's van circa 1982. At least part of it is. The riffs and lead guitar (twin guitars!) are pure classic metal while Tyson Stevens sings, not of dungeons and dragons, but of emotional angst.
US: Circo, Antes del Fin
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Canción de la Semana. "Antes Del Fin" is the opening track on Cursi, the new album from Puerto Rico's Circo. The track takes some ragged, clanging guitars and sets them against a lopsided rhythm. Sort of like a more rugged concoction of Blondie and Franz Ferdinand, Circo doesn't take their version of punk rock too far from the dance floor.
US: The Black Ghosts, Tears from a Gun
This London duo creates beat-oriented tapestries and wraps them around pop songs that are unexpectedly welcoming and yet a little bit strange. "Tears from a Gun" is based around some cut-up string section samples and then marches forward like a harmony-heavy pop song. But the melody of the tune itself makes no obvious moves - jumping and jiving around the quick cuts. Check out these electro-pop experimentalists today, for free, as our Discovery Download.
International Music
Japan 今週のシングル: TSUBAKISTA, Yurayura
無料でお楽しみ頂ける今週のシングルは、日本語の響きが美しいソウル•ミュージックのバンド、TSUBAKISTA。ヴォーカリストTSUBAKIとそれを支える4人のミュージシャン達、スポットライトに輝く表舞台で活躍するメジャーバンドとは一線を画し、地道なライブ活動で増え続けるファンを魅了している。歌うことの素晴らしさを豊かな表現で伝えてくれるTSUBAKIは日本人離れしたヴォーカルスタイルの持ち主。今後の活躍が楽しみな実力派の彼ら、12月発売予定のデビューアルバム「ゆらゆら」から表題曲をフリーダウンロード!
Australia: Plug In City, Broke On a Wheel
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Like an air-raid siren at a punk/disco crossover gig, the sound of Plug-In City sound is urgent but rhythmic. Guitars clang and writhe while bold vocal hooks fly out as quickly as they crept in. A 4/4 kick and high hats keeps "Broke On A Wheel" constantly punching forward, while old school synths whirr and squelch beneath hypnotic bass tracks.
New Zealand: Plug In City, Broke On a Wheel
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Like an air-raid siren at a punk/disco crossover gig, the sound of Plug-In City sound is urgent but rhythmic. Guitars clang and writhe while bold vocal hooks fly out as quickly as they crept in. A 4/4 kick and high hats keeps "Broke On A Wheel" constantly punching forward, while old school synths whirr and squelch beneath hypnotic bass tracks.
Canada: Cuff the Duke, If I Live or If I Die
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. "If I Live or If I Die" is the first track on Cuff the Duke's third album. Not only is it a great way to lead off an album, it's a great track on its own. Stepping heavily and immediately into a Crazy Horse-style electric folk-rock crunch, Wayne Petti's creaking voice comes in quickly and delivers a steely-eyed plea to the heavenly father. Whether or not this song comes from brazen faith or apathy, it still gives us the chills.
France: Belleruche, Northern Girls
Chaque semaine, nous trouvons un morceau d'un artiste ou d'un groupe que nous avons apprécié et nous vous le faisons partager.Le groupe londonien Belleruche qualifie son style de « musique soul avec platine DJ », ce qui décrit assez bien leur genre. Avec leur abondance de scratches, de cuts et de quick fades, les DJ derrière le groupe ont développé une toile de fond poussiéreuse de rythmes et d'atmosphères sombres pour le morceau « Northern Girls ». La chanteuse Kathrin DeBoer apporte une étincelle supplémentaire : la voix hantée d'un vieux 78 tours flottant au-dessus de la mêlée.
UK: The Hold Steady, Stuck Between Stations
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. The Hold Steady are based in Brooklyn but have deep roots in Minneapolis. Lead singer Craig Finn used to front the rough, angular indie rock band Lifter Puller, but has opened up a new world in this latest guise. This track is the opener on their latest Boys and Girls in America - a sprawling collection of story-songs that merge the sounds of Springsteen with the recklessness of the Replacements.
US Video
US: Aliens In America, The Metamorphosis
Justin Tolchuck is a sensitive, lanky 16-year old just trying to make it through the social nightmare of high school in Medora, Wisconsin, with the help of his well-meaning mom Franny, aspiring-entrepreneur dad Gary, and his beautiful and popular younger sister Claire. Although he's bright and funny, Justin is also shy, socially awkward and pretty much resigned to the fact that he'll never be one of the cool kids. Franny, however, is the kind of take-charge mom who micro-manages her family, and she's come up with a plan to help Justin: she signs up for the school's international exchange student program. Picturing an athletic, brilliant Nordic teen, Franny is sure this new friendship will bestow instant coolness on her outsider son. However, when the Tolchuck's exchange student arrives, he turns out to be Raja Musharaff, a 16-year-old Muslim from a small village in Pakistan.
US: Aliens In America, The Music Video
Justin Tolchuck is a sensitive, lanky 16-year old just trying to make it through the social nightmare of high school in Medora, Wisconsin, with the help of his well-meaning mom Franny, aspiring-entrepreneur dad Gary, and his beautiful and popular younger sister Claire. Although he's bright and funny, Justin is also shy, socially awkward and pretty much resigned to the fact that he'll never be one of the cool kids. Franny, however, is the kind of take-charge mom who micro-manages her family, and she's come up with a plan to help Justin: she signs up for the school's international exchange student program. Picturing an athletic, brilliant Nordic teen, Franny is sure this new friendship will bestow instant coolness on her outsider son. However, when the Tolchuck's exchange student arrives, he turns out to be Raja Musharaff, a 16-year-old Muslim from a small village in Pakistan.
US: Run's House, Jojo's Graduation
Season 4 finds the family at the beginning of a summer full of surprises. Rev's daughters are now anxious to move to L.A., while Rev and Justine prepare their home for a possible adoption. Jojo is counting the days before he attends college, Diggy is starting to like girls, and Russy is growing up fast. When circumstance pulls Angela and Vanessa from their apartment in the city, it lands them back home for the summer, and Rev knows this could be the last time his family is home and living under one roof. The Simmons' have had a year of extreme highs and lows, and now the family is enjoying some of their best times yet. Rev. Run, his wife, Justine, his brother, Russell Simmons, his daughters, Vanessa and Angela, and his sons, Jojo, Daniel and Russell Jr., all return for another hilarious and touching season. Watch as Rev strikes a balance between being a Father, a Reverend, and an Icon to keep America's first family of hip-hop securely grounded while living a privileged lifestyle.
US: Lifetime Movies Matters of Life and Dating: Sneak Peek
It's not always easy to look at the light side of breast cancer. But Linda Dackman (Ricki Lake) discovers that there's plenty to laugh about as she tries to reenter the dizzying world of dating post-mastectomy. Dackman's adventures in dating - and her intimate and witty insights into appearance, self-image, sex and romance - provide an irreverent and unique look at cancer survival and the ever-elusive quest to find "Mr. Right."