iTunes: Free Tuesday
Welcome to this week's edition of iTunes: Free Tuesday. US readers rejoice. There are a lot more new freebies on-offer than usual, especially in the Video section. New items include a vampire thriller, a new kids' Nick show, and reality TV. International visitors, we have free music selections for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and the UK. Download and enjoy.
US Music
US: Pieces of the Sun (Radio Version) by Test Your Reflex
Test Your Reflex was formed in Southern California in 2004 and was inspired by albums that spoke to a more epic, grandiose rock experience than the instantaneous thrills of the alt-metal groups that band members saw around them. Immersing themselves in albums by U2, the Cure, Roxy Music, Depeche Mode, and David Bowie, they found a direction that suited the group's outlook. "Pieces of the Sun" is a raw slice of guitar pop, colored by a bit of melancholy and synth-pop overtones. It's also our free Single of the Week.
US: FM Radio by Joshua James
Joshua James has a breathy twang that thinly veils his Nebraska roots. On "FM Radio," he steps out into the wilderness with just an acoustic guitar and comes up with a track that has more than a touch of real life in his poetic phrasing. His gentle storytelling and the lilt of passion in his voice make him a singer/songwriter worth paying attention to. Enjoy our free Discovery Download this week.
US: Boogaloo Chévere by Sonora Carruseles
Sonora Carruseles are the Colombian kings of salsa. This is pure, unadulterated dance music where the rhythm hits you immediately and doesn't let up until the song ends. This heavy salsa is driven as much by the vocalists on the front line as it is by the congos anchoring the percussion. As you can tell by the title, this Colombian group has put a little bit of boogaloo soul into our free Single of the Week.
More freebie goodness after the jump.
US TV Shows
US: Paradise City/Vegas, Baby!
Today, Las Vegas is the spot where the stars come to play – and locals try to become stars. The premiere season of Paradise City explores the lives, loves, and luck of a group of Sin City twentysomethings as they attempt to fulfill their dreams and find love in a town that holds temptation at every turn. Whether it's the struggle to become a top model, a successful rock star, or the hottest club promoter, the cameras capture all of the action, from the luxurious pools by day to the coolest clubs at night. See who will hit it big – and whose dreams are about to go bust – in this desert paradise.
US: El Tigre, Episode 101
It's the age-old battle between good and evil in Nickelodeon's newest hit show, El Tigre. Join Manny Rivera as he's tempted to cast aside best friend Frida for the chance to wreak havoc with bad girl super villain, Black Cuervo . . . watch as Manny and Frida's soccer team takes on the Calavera Zombies, yes, real zombies!, and find out what happens when Manny tries to resurrect the school mascot, Zebra Donkey, with the help of Sartana's guitar. Plus, see El Tigre team with senior citizen super villains to save Frida, and watch Señor Siniestro and his robot minions plot to make Manny late for school. It's good versus evil of the most hilarious kind!
US: Blood Ties, Episode 101
Get ready for a fantastic thrill ride with private investigator Vicki Nelson, who joins forces with a 450-year-old vampire to solve supernatural crimes. When sparks fly between the unlikely pair, Vicki is torn between hew new fanged friend and her former colleague and lover, Mike, in this tale of two worlds colliding, based on Tanya Huff's best-selling Blood Books novels.
US: Naked Brothers Band/The Principal
Being in a band is awesome. But being in a band with all of your friends is even more AWESOME! The band gets their first nomination for a video music award, Alex starts his own clothing line, and things get a little weird between Nat and Rosalina. Get ready to rock on with the first season of The Naked Brothers Band and download TV episodes, music videos, and free webisodes.
US: The Black Donnellys, Pilot (Freepeat)
With cinematic scope, this powerful drama is uniquely narrated by lifelong family confidante Joey "Ice Cream," presenting tales of both intense action and charged emotion.
US: The Hills/Who Do You Trust? (Freepeat)
With a year in Los Angeles under their belts, Lauren Conrad and her friends Heidi, Audrina, and Whitney are learning that being young women in the big city isn't as easy as they thought. The girls are older, wiser, and now single, facing new challenges at work and school. But this year when new boys force them to make tough choices, Lauren and the girls are about to find out that not even friendships can be taken for granted.
International
Australia: Just Hold On by the Basics
The Basics draw heavily from the classic British Invasion sounds of the Beatles and the Stones. But don't call the band throwbacks. Good melodies, great harmonies, and most importantly, extremely well-written songs are never going to fall out of fashion. Drummer/vocalist Wally De Backer had a busy 2006 with the success of his other group, Gotye – a particular iTunes favourite, but now Wally joins Kris Schroeder (bass, vocals) and Tim Heath (guitar, vocals) to release the debut album Stand Out/Fit In. Try a first taste of the album, free on iTunes, and look for more exclusives in the not-too-distant future.
New Zealand: Just Hold On by the Basics
The Basics draw heavily from the classic British Invasion sounds of the Beatles and the Stones. But don't call the band throwbacks. Good melodies, great harmonies, and most importantly, extremely well-written songs are never going to fall out of fashion. Drummer/vocalist Wally De Backer had a busy 2006 with the success of his other group, Gotye – a particular iTunes favourite, but now Wally joins Kris Schroeder (bass, vocals) and Tim Heath (guitar, vocals) to release the debut album Stand Out/Fit In. Try a first taste of the album, free on iTunes, and look for more exclusives in the not-too-distant future.
Canada: Don't Wanna by dbClifford
dbClifford pens the sort of pop songs that used to fill the airwaves in the mid to late '70s. Piano pop that is perfect for strutting aboard a friend's yacht, tipping your captain's hat to the ladies, and generally loving life. Our free Single of the Week "Don't Wanna" comes from the album Recyclable, the 27 year-old singer's debut. The record was written and produced and performed entirely by dbClifford, a one-man funky pop explosion.
France: Le bonheur est nocturne by Le Comte de Fourques
Le Comte de Fourques est un personnage un peu décalé qui s'exprime à travers les univers qu'il choisit de s'approprier, une sorte de chevalier des temps modernes, un Don Quichotte qui se choisit des causes perdues, forcément. Son style naturellement élégant et détaché est parfaitement mis en valeur par des musiques variées, à tendance folk, mais qui peuvent parfois sonner très rock. " Le Bonheur est nocturne ", et cette semaine, il est gratuit, puisqu'il s'agit de notre Single de la semaine sur iTunes.
UK: Bread + Roses by Mr Hudson & The Library
Despite the seemingly civil nature of the group's name, there is something a bit flashy and bombastic about Ben Hudson and his crew of ne'er-do-wells. Their debut has been earning raves thanks to the melding of reggae-soul, grime, and of course . . . the music of Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter. Hudson is a streetwise crooner with a tough band behind him who can put some authority into its rhythmic skank, while the vocals mix standards with hip-hop's boasting sensibility. Not quite the gimmick it sounds, "Bread and Roses" showcases how this can work fluidly. It's also our Single of the Week.