iTunes: Free Tuesday
Welcome to this week's edition of Free Tuesday. Every week, we search though the iTunes stores around the world to bring you the newest and freshest iTunes freebies. This week, I've added a new category to try out: "Podcast Finds", free video that can be accessed internationally. If you like it or hate it, let us know in the comments.
US Music
US: Herculean by The Good, The Bad And The Queen
With both Blur and Gorillaz, Damon Albarn brought forward a more dynamic, elastic definition of what pop music could be. With the latter, he reminded us that artists need not even be real. For this project, there's no doubting the reality of a line-up that includes the Clash's Paul Simonon, afro-beat legend Tony Allen, and the Verve's Simon Tong. "Herculean" is a downtempo, late-night evocation of desolate urban life. There's more than a little hope underneath the heavy atmosphere, as this song – like most of Albarn's tunes – finds beauty within the chaos.
US: El Sello by Ardnaxela
Our free Single of the Week comes from the Puerto Rican singer Ardnaxela. If the name seems a little bit confusing, read it backwards and you'll see where it comes from. "El Sello" has an exciting, low-key sound – almost as if she's fused the worlds of disco and acoustic pop. So for those of you who like to dance, but feel a bit inhibited in the clubs, this is the tune for you.
US: On the Third Day by Michael Olson
"On the Third Day" is taken from Michael Olson's sophomore album, Where Fear and Faith Collide. The track is a watertight pop song ready for mainstream acceptance, with the Christian artist relaying his faith with a tremendous amount of passion and confidence. Those with a weakness for epic grandeur and who tend to get misty-eyed thinking of "we are all one"-type sentiments should have a seat and take a listen to our free Discovery Download.
More great freebies after the jump...
Podcast Finds (International)
International: Mondo mini shows
Mondo Mini Shows are not meant for children or big babies. They're comedy served up just the way you like 'em: short, funny and free ... and loaded with unnecessary violence, racial insensitivity, misguided politics, and screwed-up values. You know you love it.
International: CNN Sick Twisted Freak
You can ask Glenn anything about anything and the chances are he'll either know the answer or lie SO convincingly that you won't ever know the difference.
US TV Shows
US: The Dresden files, Episode 1
When Scott Sharp, a frightened 10-year-old boy, begs Dresden to protect him and his mother from "monsters" that are lurking in their home, Harry at first dismisses the boy's fears as the product of an overactive imagination. But when Scott is subsequently kidnapped by sinister beings, Dresden realizes that the boy is an innocent pawn in the supernatural contest between good and evil. The case triggers memories of Dresden's own childhood, when young Harry lived with his father Colm, who performed low rent stage magic in community theaters and children's parties. When Harry was Scott's age, his talent for real magic began to emerge – which caught the eye of his uncle Justin Morningway, the brother of young Harry's murdered mother. Morningway wanted to take Harry away so he could hone the boy's talents in service of Morningway's malevolent ambitions. Just as Colm had to protect young Harry from his uncle Morningway, so Dresden must now rescue Scott from those seeking to exploit him for their own nefarious purposes.
US: Beach Patrol Season 3 Premiere
Beach Patrol: San Diego is a fast-paced, hard-driving series that follows the lifeguards of the San Diego Ocean Rescue team over an entire summer. Charged to protect not only sunbathing beachgoers but also the sportsmen, divers, rock climbers, and athletes all over the region, this Beach Patrol team is spread out to keep the ocean, beach, and jagged cliffs safe and open for recreation.
US: Dirt Red Carpet Interviews
Courteney Cox stars as Lucy Spiller, the hard-driving editor-in-chief of tabloid magazines Dirt and Now. Lucy has a maniacal dedication to finding the truth, for reasons even she has yet to fully fathom. With the help of Don Konkey (Ian Hart), a schizophrenic paparazzo blessed with a genius for getting the money shot, Lucy exposes the hidden truth behind celebrity lives – and also determines their fate.
US: The Real Housewives of Orange County (Episode 201)
Find out how the other half really lives when Bravo takes us on another visit "behind the gates" in an all-new season of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Even in sunny Southern California, privileged doesn't always mean perfect. These housewives all may be enjoying the luxe life – replete with plastic surgery, frequent shopping sprees, and a luxury car to match each of their outfits – but real life still manages to find them, even in the land of excess and indulgence.
US: Day In Day Out With Wilmer Valderama (Freepeat)
On Day in, Day Out we follow your favorite celebrities on their daily routine as they do everything from the mundane (grocery shopping, stylist appointments, production meetings) to the insane (concerts, awards shows, special events). During this half-hour documentary-style show, narrated by the artists themselves, we meet their inner circle of friends, managers, agents, and fans, and get their point of view on how the day is going via our "confessional" cam.
US: MUN2 News special: Immigration (Freepeat)
Keeping with its commitment to creating programming with Latino sensibility these Quarterly news specials that air 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.
International
Australia: Number 1 by Custom Kings
Melbourne's Custom Kings have enjoyed a stellar summer. Following a massive Australian tour with John Butler Trio in December, Custom Kings have recently played the Falls Festival and will soon join the Cat Empire, Blue King Brown, and many more at the Chill Island festival. Try this taste of the band, "Number 1." It's taken from their current EPMerchant Songs, and it's our free Single of the Week.
New Zealand: Number 1 by Custom Kings
Melbourne's Custom Kings have enjoyed a stellar summer. Following a massive Australian tour with John Butler Trio in December, Custom Kings have recently played the Falls Festival and will soon join the Cat Empire, Blue King Brown, and many more at the Chill Island festival. Try this taste of the band, "Number 1." It's taken from their current EPMerchant Songs, and it's our free Single of the Week.
Canada: +81 by Deerhoof
Nobody makes pop music quite like San Francisco's Deerhoof. Announcing themselves with brief fanfare, the trio then set into an art-noise extravaganza led by a Chuck Berry riff. The tune takes advantage of the possibilities of a trio, changing gears and tempos, giving you the glimpse of a hummable melody before doubling back into some backwards art-funk. Vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki provides the sweetness in the form of a candy-flavored melody. Delicious!
France: Celia by Hey Hey My My
Hey Hey My My, c'est un mélange très instinctif d'enthousiasme et de mélancolie. C'est avant tout une énergie débordante, c'est la fausse légèreté d'un folk épuré, comme pour mieux laisser vivre des textes qui vous nouent un peu la gorge... Leur goût pour les ballades entraînantes a toujours le même effet dévastateur : c'est sourire aux lèvres et refrains en tête que l'on quitte Julien Garnier et Julien Gaulier. Dans l'espoir de goûter de nouveau à cette pop-folk aguicheuse et court vêtue, de visiter encore une fois Merryland, l'univers intime et envoûtant de Hey Hey My My... En attendant leur album, voici leur premier EP, Too much space, dont est extrait " Celia ", notre Single de la semaine.
UK: Abominwé by Lionel Loueke
Lionel Loueke is an African guitarist who plays with such a fluidity and dexterous skill that he's becomes an in-demand player on both the jazz and African music sides. Our free Single of the Week introduces you to his subtle voice, and more importantly, shows you the sort of unique approach he has on the guitar. His experience as a percussionist gives him a rhythmic style, but his finger picking and melodic invention provides something even more unique. Have a listen – it's on us.