iTunes: Free Tuesday
It's Tuesday again, and we've searched through the iTunes stores around the world to find you the newest freebies. We've got a great roundup of iTunes free tracks and books and videos and movies for you to enjoy.
You'll need an iTunes account in order to download any of these items, and those accounts are on a per-country basis. For example, UK users can't download the French single of the week without having a French iTunes account. The easiest way to establish an account in any country is to use an iTunes gift card from that country.
US Music
We've got three fresh US Music tracks for you.
US: That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! by Sufjan Stevens
Now we generally try to turn the spotlight over to new artists for our Single of the Week, but we're feeling the spirit of the season this month. Check back here each week to get a free holiday track from an established artist. Here, Sufjan Stevens (indie rocker with a penchant for baroque tunes and midwestern history) provides his very own, "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever."
US: Stille Nacht by The King's Singers
Formed in 1968 by six Choral Scholars from King's College, Cambridge, the King's Singers are known around the world for their fresh interpretations of everything from pop to plainchant. Their Christmas album highlights seasonal favorites from all around the world, all arranged for their trademark line-up of six male voices. Check out our free holiday Discovery Download, which is the King's Singers' version of Franz Xavier Gruber's 1818 Christmas classic, "Stille Nacht" ("Silent Night").
US: Stylee by David Garza
Texas singer-songwriter David Garza cuts an inspiring cloth when it comes to songwriting. His output verges on prolific and the quality of his songs, be they heartbroken laments or gripping, fuzzy rockers, rarely diminishes. "Stylee", our free Single of the Week, falls into the latter category and hopefully sets you in motion to discover more of Garza's eclectic style.
US: Christmas Reindeer by the Knife [Repeat]
If you tend to tire of the traditional holiday music fare, then the Knife have the cure to all of your Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis-related ills. The Swedish electro-art-pop duo deliver us "Christmas Reindeer" – a pulsating clang of a tune dedicated to Santa's most trusted animals. Enjoy!
US Audio Books
Here's a new humor offering. At over 7 hours long, it is a great deal for a freebie and perfect for a long car trip.
US: The Areas of my Expertise by John Hodgman
In the great tradition of the American almanac, The Areas of My Expertise is a brilliant and hilarious compendium of handy reference tables, fascinating trivia, and sage wisdom on all topics large and small. Although best sellers such as Poor Richard's Almanack and The Book of Lists were certainly valuable, they also were largely true. Here is a different kind of handy desk reference, one in which all of the historical oddities and amazing true facts are sifted through the singular, illuminating imagination of John Hodgman, which is the nice way of saying: He made it all up.
US Video
For the second week in a row, there is really nothing new to see here. A bunch of freepeats and that's about it.
US: Twentyfourseven, Season 1, Episode 1
An entrepreneur, a rock star, an actor, a director, a record producer, a player, and . . . a Buddhist? Living the life 24/7
US: Scrubs "Guy Love" Music Video
A winner of both the prestigious Humanitas Prize and an Emmy award, Scrubs is back for another unpredictable season.
US: mun2 News Special – For My Country? Young Latinos In the Military
Keeping with its commitment to creating programming with a Latino sensibility, these quarterly news specials will focus on important issues affecting Latino youth. From the national headlines to community life, mun2 presents important issues as they relate to Latino youth and their families.
US: Nemesis Rising, The Music of Jacob & Joshua episode
Jacob & Joshua: Nemesis Rising follows identical twins who couldn't be more different. Joshua is a free spirit, a party boy, and exceedingly single while Jacob is focused, driven, and involved in a long-term relationship. As singers the duo harmonize perfectly, with Jacob leaning more toward pop and Joshua a little more toward rock 'n' roll. After uprooting themselves from their country home in Montana to Los Angeles, the twins find themselves at a critical crossroads professionally and personally. They need a hit record or they face being dropped from their label. Breaking new ground in the pop music world, the twins will be marketed as openly gay artists necessitating their "coming out" to their family, friends, and fans.
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: 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 Movies
Like the US TV shows, there is nothing new on offer. Still the same two Glamour Reel Moments plus the DreamGirls clip.
US: Dreamgirls Exclusive Clip
Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women – Effie, Deena and Lorrell – who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr., who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime.
US: Glamour Reel Moments: Dealbreaker
Dealbreaker, was written and directed by Gwyneth Paltrow and Mary Wigmore and produced by Moxie Pictures for Glamour's Reel Moments series. The film was also accepted to the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The films in the series are based on readers' real life stories and brought to the screen by Hollywood's leading talent. The making of these films – by women and for women – provided direct benefit to FilmAid International.This short film, Dealbreaker, was written and directed by Gwyneth Paltrow and Mary Wigmore and produced by Moxie Pictures for Glamour's Reel Moments series. The film was also accepted to the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The films in the series are based on readers' real life stories and brought to the screen by Hollywood's leading talent. The making of these films – by women and for women – provided direct benefit to FilmAid International.
US: Glamour Reel Moments: Gnome
A festival favorite at the Berlin Film Festival, GNOME was written and directed by Jenny Bicks and stars Lauren Graham as part of the 2005 Glamour Reel Moments Short Film series. The films in the series are based on readers' real life stories and brought to the screen by some of Hollywood's most talented women. The making of these films – by women and for women – provided direct benefit to FilmAid International.A festival favorite at the Berlin Film Festival, GNOME was written and directed by Jenny Bicks and stars Lauren Graham as part of the 2005 Glamour Reel Moments Short Film series. The films in the series are based on readers' real life stories and brought to the screen by some of Hollywood's most talented women. The making of these films – by women and for women – provided direct benefit to FilmAid International.
International
Here is what's free around the World today for all our non-US readers.
Australia: We Are Amphibious by Children Collide
"We Are Amphibious" is a potent slab of energised fury from this volatile Melbourne duo. The blazing tune featured here as our free Single of the Week takes a bit of evolution a long way. Maybe we all did spring out of the watery swamps eons ago, but Children Collide aren't trying to challenge Darwin – they just know how to make grand, surreal proclamations sound anthemic.
New Zealand: We Are Amphibious by Children Collide
"We Are Amphibious" is a potent slab of energised fury from this volatile Melbourne duo. The blazing tune featured here as our free Single of the Week takes a bit of evolution a long way. Maybe we all did spring out of the watery swamps eons ago, but Children Collide aren't trying to challenge Darwin – they just know how to make grand, surreal proclamations sound anthemic.
Canada: Find Out by Classified
Classified hasn't been one to lay low in the past, and his newest album, Hitch Hikin' Music goes even bigger. Laced with huge beats, hand claps, and an anthemic chorus, "Find Out" is a stand-out track with incisive rhymes that cut into the gangsta mentality. If you're in the mood for some hard-hitting hip-hop straight from the old school via Halifax, we've got you covered.
UK: Musical Chairs by Ghosts
"Musical Chairs" is a joyous pop tune with that works thanks to the waves of layered harmonies and crystalline jangle of the guitars. The London four-piece have a breezy style that feels effortless, with a buoyancy that sounds like something between Supergrass and the Magic Numbers. We have a good feeling about the group, who are still in the process of mixing their debut. Get this track today as our free Single of the Week.
France: Le bocal by La Blanche
Le groupe parisien La Blanche, qui tient son nom du patronyme du fondateur Éric, compose sa magie singulière sous un tapis de guitare avec une charpente électronique, et leur pop surgit comme des bulles créatives avec des relents d'évasion littéraire. Légèrement capricieux, passionné et dérangé aussi, " Le Bocal " est notre Single gratuit de la semaine.