iTunes Thanksgiving Week Freebies
iTunes offers some of the best and most exciting freebies on the web. Each week, our intrepid researchers dig through a number of the iTunes stores to find and report on the exciting offerings that you can pick up for nothing more than a few clicks of your mouse.
Once again, let me apologize for the lateness of this update. But how often do your parents celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversaries? (Hint: if you add a note of congratulations to the comment section, I'll be sure to forward it on to them!)
US Video
US: American Gangster, Episode 101
Think crime pays? This searing BET original program will demand that you think again. Six hour-long episodes chronicle the lives and demises of the nation's most ruthless and newsworthy kingpins. Watch how Nicky Barnes goes from heroin druglord to merciless snitch; uncover the links between "Freeway" Rick Ross, crack cocaine, the U.S. government, and the Contras; and find out more about some of Black America's most notorious criminals.
US: Frisky Dingo/Meet Killface Episode
Killface, the most evil villain of all time ever, is halfway bent on destroying the Earth. Meanwhile his nemesis, Awesome-X, is ambivalent about stopping him, as it might just crush toy sales.
US: 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf: Episode 1, Golf Strategies, Tough Shots and Around the Green
The PGA and iTunes have paired up to bring you exclusive access to professional golf's hardest tournament to qualify for: The 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. This season-ending showcase of major champions features 4 of golf's elite as they vie for a $1.25 million purse and recognition as the "best of the best." Competing will be the reigning British Open and PGA champion Tiger Woods, 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, Major Champions Points List leader and winner of the 2003 U.S. Open and 2003 PGA Grand Slam of Golf Jim Furyk, and Canadian Mike Weir, who finished third in the Major Champions Points List and won his first major championship when he captured the 2003 Masters.
US: Real World Casting Special, Season 18
We're heading to the Mile High City where our 7 strangers will not only discover a Rocky Mountain high in the trendy nightlife scene, but will work as Outward Bound counselors for kids who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Get ready for a season packed full of adventure as The Real World reaches new heights, literally, as the roommates scale mountains and learn how to live in the wilderness.
US: 30 Rock, Episode 103
Jack plays matchmaker, setting Liz up on a blind date – Confident he can fix both Liz Lemon's (Tina Fey) sketch show and sex life, overbearing boss Jack (Alec Baldwin) sets Liz up on a blind date with his friend Thomas. With Liz readying herself for her blind date, Jack infiltrates the writers' weekly poker game.
More freebies after the jump...
US Music
US: Nothing At All by Wired All Wrong
Wired All Wrong is the project of Jeff Turzo (God Lives Underwater) and Matt Mahaffey (Self). "Nothing at All" is taken from their debut, Break Out the Battle Tapes. This track shows that the group knows how to chop and stutter beats under a layer of scratched-up, dirty guitars. Vocally, the band alternates between unabashed angst and spiky hip-hop phrasing. This track is our free Single of the Week.
US: Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rodrigo y Gabriela helps to bridge that divide between Dublin and Mexico with its fluid, acoustic workouts. The group (who is from Mexico City, but has been in Ireland for years) has a sense of drama inherited from its love of both classical and metal, but its music falls under neither category, instead focusing on Latin styles performed mainly on acoustic instruments. "Tamacun" is our free Discovery Download this week.
US: Via Láctea by Zoe
Mexico's Zoé give us this free Single of the Week. "Via Láctea" starts with a moody underpinning of atmospheric sounds before lurching into a detached, glam-rock stomp. The track takes a cue from the spacier side of the Brit-pop world, but infuses its own murky noise into the blend. This tune also happens to be the first single from the group's recent album, Memo Rex Commander y el Corazón Atómico de la Vía Láctea.
International
Australia: We Lost Everything by The Nation Blue
Yes, this is indeed the band that can lay claim to have broken bones and bled live on stage in front of thousands of Foo Fighters fans. Mishaps aside, the group has spent the last few months recording a range of angry songs in relaxed environments. The album, aptly entitled Protest Songs, will be available in 2007. But we're pleased to present the first fruit of their labor, "We Lost Everything," as an iTunes exclusive that's free for a week. Unnerving, agitating . . . yes, maybe . . . but it's also good old fashioned slammin' Australian rock done the way it should be!
Canada: Dear Confessor by Immaculate Machine
Indie poppers Immaculate Machine conjure up their best John Doe and Exene Cervenka on "Dear Confessor" – a track you won't find on any of their albums. The tune is all power pop rhythm, with crunchy guitars and those intertwining boy/girl vocals that set the heart all aflutter. "Dear Confessor" was recorded exclusively for CBC Radio 3. It's our third of three tracks from the Radio 3/Mint Records archives, as we celebrate Mint's 15th anniversary. In the meantime, enjoy this free Single of the Week.
France: One of You by Stoney
Cet instrumentaliste de Sheffield vous flotte dans la tête avec un mélange de cru psychédélique des années 60 et d'un modernisme bouillonnant. Stoney chante avec un air de confiseur, mais ses chœurs sont super solides. " One of You " est un petit joyau de la couronne folk, pourvu d'une nature modeste et charmante qui rappelle les Beach Boy du temps de... C'est notre Single de la Semaine.
UK: Billy Brown by Mika
"Billy Brown" is a pretty remarkable tune. There, we said it. It's a simple piano line with light orchestral accompaniment, but with MIKA's voice taking the spotlight with a more suburban Freddie Mercury feel and a touch of Gilbert O'Sullivan's sunniness. It sounds completely out of step and yet it sounds like just the amount of sunshine we need. Get this track as our free Single of the Week.
Japan: Toilet Guitar by apple fish Monday
北九州は小倉在住、ピアノ/ギター/ドラム/ベースによるエレクトロポップ＆プレイフルな世界を繰り広げる apple fish Monday。今月1st フルアルバムである「C'MON MUSIC」発売したばかりのフレッシュマンだが、バンドとしての経験は豊かだ。ワタナベイビーのツアーにバックバンドとして参加し、九州各県を中心に山口、東京などで活動している彼ら。"トイレットギター"をフリーダウンロードで！