iTunes: Free Thursday
Once again, 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. And don't forget: If you want to buy these on your iPhone or iPod touch, make sure to sign into your account in iTunes before you sync.
Follow the jump for all the free iTunes goodies.
US Items
US: Sam Sparro, Black & Gold - Single of the Week
Meet Sam Sparro - the new master of digital funk and atmospheric soul. The former child star and native Australian works a fair amount of magic on his self-titled debut. The track we've chosen this week, "Black and Gold", is a Daft Punk-meets-Jamie Lidell bit of hiccuping electro madness. If you've ever worn a pair of plastic-framed Ray-bans indoors (at night, especially), this is your new favorite song.
US: Carter's Chord, Different Breed - Discovery Download
The sister trio of Becky, Emily, and Joanna Robertson are daughters of Barny and Carter Robertson, who were a part of Waylon Jennings' band, the Waylors. Playing more the role of harmonizers rather than outlaws, the group (recently signed to Toby Keith's label) apply their stylish ease and country grit to this rocking blues tune. "Different Breed" is the soulful second single from their upcoming debut.
US: Jorge Villamizar, Como Vivir Así - Canción de la Semana
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. Colombian singer/songwriter Jorge Villamizar is best known as the lead singer for GRAMMY-winning act Bacilos. His solo album was a project produced by Richard Blair (a.k.a. Sidestepper) in Miami and Bogotá. "Como Vivir Asi" is a breezy, light bit of jazzy funk with some great, liquid guitar work and a slick, tropical feel.
US: Alvin and the Chipmunks: How we roll
Music Video
US: Cutlass
Glamour Reel Moments
US: JODIE PICOULT'S LIFETIME MOVIES
Enjoy a marathon based on the books of New York Times best selling author, Jodi Picoult. All the best and worst of humanity are on display in these heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories, featuring award-winning actresses such as Kelly Preston, Mariska Hargitay, and Megan Mullally., Jodie Picoult's Lifetime Movies
US: Black Gold, Black Gold, Season 1
From the creator of Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch comes a one-of-a-kind series about Texas oilmen who gamble everything for a chance to strike it rich. Three rigs: the Big Dog, the Longhorn, and the Viking all lust to hit pay dirt in the West Texas fields. And as the race heats up, tempers flare and injuries mount. Will a driller be able to handle his rookie? Will hard-nosed leaders become reckless with their workers? Will the gamble to risk everything for oil pay off?
US: She's Got the Look, She's Got the Look, Season 1
Ten women over age 35 contend to be the next great supermodel. While living together in a New York City loft, they compete on the runway and in photo shoots. These women have experience and depth. They have stories to tell. Bahia, 37, was raised in a conservative Muslim family and is finally embracing her beauty. Celeste, 50, once walked the runways in Europe. Hope, 35, is a mom of three who never gave up her dream of modeling. Karin, 40, is a striking Swede who was once shy and awkward. Kathy, 39, gave up her modeling career to stay home with her kids. Melissa, 38, says she looks better now than ever before. Paula, 37, put herself through college on a sports scholarship. Roxanne, 40, is a redheaded, spiritual beauty. Sharon is a recently widowed 63-year-old stunner. Tanya, 45, overcame a difficult childhood and is committed to her family and community. Only one will win a contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and a photo spread in SELF magazine.
US: Factory, Factory, Season 1
Factory delves into the mundane yet hilarious lives of four friends, Gary, Smitty, Gus and Chase, who spend their time fraternizing in lieu of doing their drab work. This season, the guys contend with work-related accidents, the ramifications of drugs in the workplace, a rivalry over who's sexiest, and an unforgettable excursion to a college party. Don't miss the first season of Factory on Spike.
International Music
Australia: Sam Sparro, Too Many Questions - Single of the Week
Meet Sam Sparro - a master of digital funk and atmospheric soul. The former child star and native Australian also works a fair amount of magic on his self-titled debut. "Too Many Questions" is the opening track and it's the ideal tune for strutting down a road littered with glitter and strobe lights. The bass line keeps you in line while the laser-like synths point you forward. As for Sparro, he's ringleader of the whole affair with his elastic, breezy, city boy vocals. 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.
New Zealand: Sam Sparro, Too Many Questions - Single of the Week
Meet Sam Sparro - a master of digital funk and atmospheric soul. The former child star and native Australian also works a fair amount of magic on his self-titled debut. "Too Many Questions" is the opening track and it's the ideal tune for strutting down a road littered with glitter and strobe lights. The bass line keeps you in line while the laser-like synths point you forward. As for Sparro, he's ringleader of the whole affair with his elastic, breezy, city boy vocals. 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.
Canada: The Ting Tings, Great DJ - Single of the Week
The Ting Tings are an English duo made up of Jules De Martino and Katie White who formed in Salford in 2006. Their style is one that is pure adrenalin and pop music and some kind of unnamed sugary confection thrown in to make it stick. The singles in their so-brief career have been like bubble-gum electro-pop with guitars. But the catchiness of "Great DJ" is also due to the song-craft underneath, integrating play yard melodies with a touch of indie rock hooks. 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.
Nederland: Bon Iver, Skinny Love - Single Van de Week
In een blokhut, ergens in het noordwesten van de Amerikaanse staat Wisconsin, nam Bon Iver de geluiden op van een man alleen met zijn herinneringen en zijn gitaar. Op "Skinny Love" zingt hij in een heldere falsetto die perfect de eenzaamheid en kille zielensmart vertolkt, met een arrangement van gelaagde, rinkelende dobro-gitaren en drums; koud als een ijzige boom in de winter, onderbroken door eenvoudige bluesstukken, minimalistisch drummen en stormachtige, dynamische veranderingen en timbre van zijn stem. We hopen dat dit inderdaad een goede winter wordt, zoals zijn naam ons doet geloven - en dat de lentedooi ons een nieuw album brengt. Elke week vinden we een nummer van een artiest of band op de rand van succes, en bieden wij je die gratis aan, als Single van de Week.
UK: Infadels, Make Mistakes - 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. Besides infuriating spelling enthusiasts, London's Infadels have spent the two years since their debut building up a new arsenal of tight, frenetic punk-infused pop songs. "Make Mistakes" is a track from their second album, Universe In Reverse. It's a very human cry for understanding (more on a personal level) that rises up out of an ocean of furious guitars, ringing bells, and all manner of joyous, cacophonous noisemaking. A good sign of what's to come.
UK: T.J. Hooker, T.J. Hooker, Season 2
Veteran cop T.J. Hooker (William Shatner) reverts back to his former role as a sergeant, in order to patrol the streets. Partnered with a hot-headed young rookie, Hooker's tough, no-nonsense ways often see him clash with the Captain but he always gets the job done and is determined to rid the streets of crime.
France: Minitel Rose, Better Days, Pt. II - Single de la semaine
Minitel Rose est un trio de dance/électro dont la musique scintille de références brillantes à la pop des années 60 et 70 (ils ont également fait du bubbling, des remakes funk complètement synthétiques de morceaux de Pink Floyd et des Kinks), tout en étant complètement immergée dans les pulsations électro et le funk de boîte. « Better Days Pt. II » est une piste de leur nouvel EP, The French Machine (accompagné d'une pochette sublime) qui représente la combinaison parfaite de transe de boîte sous stroboscopes avec une tonne de distorsion envoûtante. Voici notre Single de la semaine.Si vous aimez ce morceau, découvrez l'EP.
Japan: EMI MARIA, I Gotta -Summer Kiss- -Single- - 今週のシングル
ブレイク直前、注目の新進アーティストをご紹介するこのページ。今週は、パプアニューギニア生まれ神戸育ちの EMI MARIA。中学時代から R&B に興味を持ち、 K-Ci & JoJo、Mariah Carey、Janet Jackson などをコピーして歌い始めた。若干20歳にして、作詞、作曲を全て行う実力派。SEEDA、TOMOGEN や MC MOGGY などのアルバムへの参加を経て、昨年自身のアルバムをミニアルバム 「Between the Music」をリリース。来月リリースのニューシングルから、"I Gotta -Summer Kiss"を iTunes でひとあしお先にフリーダウンロード!
