iTunes: Free Tuesday
Welcome to this week's edition of Free Tuesday. Today, we're happy to bring you a lot of new fresh music freebies and for US readers, a number of new videos as well. US readers please be aware that the Single of the Week "The Story" hasn't been downloading consistently today. You may want to try again tomorrow to give Apple time to resolve the problem.
US Music
US: The Story by Brandi Carlile
A cursory listen to the music of Brandi Carlile might lead you to mistake the inflections of her voice, her influences, and the lyrical themes of her music as geared toward a career in country music. The truth is that country music was just the starting point for Carlile. She grew up around those rural sounds, but has fashioned a career for herself as a soulful singer who can belt out a tune with more than just twangy gusto. "The Story" is a full-steam-ahead rock ballad that showcases a voice built for filling up stadiums.
US: Synchronize by Tomboy
Our Discovery Download comes off the new full-length, Seriøs, from Danish producer Tomboy. Tomas Barfod, the man behind the music, shows us a range never revealed in his dance releases as Tomboy or under his birth name on Get Physical. If you are familiar with his work in the groups Filur or WhoMadeWho, wherein he explores his ethereal, funky, cheeky side, you may have known he had it in him. The album stands tall as a whole, wearing Barfod's strengths in arrangements and perfect percussion on tracks aimed squarely at the dancefloor (see "I K. Guitar") and the songs like the one we've chosen to expose you to, the Tom-Tom-Club-esque "Synchronize." Only on iTunes, the album comes with two bonus tracks, so get in for free and join the party!
US: José el Azteca by Kinto Sol
When most hip-hop groups talk about being old-school, they're talking about bringing it back to the Bronx circa 1979. Kinto Sol take it back further, putting the traditional sounds of Mexico and Aztec references into its bustling, head-bobbing cuts. This track "Jose El Azteca" is taken from the group's fourth album and is our free Single of the Week.
Lots more great freebies after the jump.
US TV Shows
US: Andy Barker, PI – Pilot Episode
Move over, Philip Marlowe. Meet Andy Barker – Public Accountant by day. Private Investigator by accident. Former Conan O'Brien sidekick Andy Richter stars as a happy-go-lucky CPA who, by a funny twist of fate, becomes the world's most happy-go-lucky detective. From tax man to crime fighter, he's the new man of action. And what hilarious action it is . . .
US: Workout, Episode 201
Jackie Warner is back. The outspoken and hard-bodied owner of the exclusive Beverly Hills gym, Sky Sport and Spa, returns for a second season. She's got a new business – a weight loss boot camp, a new trainer joining her sexy crew, and a whole lot of new drama as she tries to get her personal life into fighting shape. This season tensions are rising at Sky as Jackie applies more heat on the trainers, because the success of her ambitious new business venture depends on them stepping up. After making a highly charged decision about fiery girlfriend, Mimi, at the end season one, Jackie struggles with the possibility of bringing Mimi back into her life. We'll also sweat it out alongside Jackie's clientele, including celebrities, moguls, and the people who will pay any price to come to Sky for the ultimate work out.
US: El Tigre, Episode 101 (Frepeat)
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: Naked Brothers Band, Timmerman's Behind the Bubble
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.
International
Australia: Sunshine by Old Man River
Hailing from Israel, via Bondi Beach, Old Man River (real name Ohad Rein) takes his inspiration from around the world – singing songs about love, life, music, and dreams. His charismatic presence works particularly well in a one-on-one environment, as we recently found out at iTunes. On this Single of the Week, Ohad's earthy vocals work particularly well as does his colourful '60s-influenced sound. If you like what you hear, you can get the album Good Morning at a specially discounted price, for a limited time only.
New Zealand: Sunshine by Old Man River
Hailing from Israel, via Bondi Beach, Old Man River (real name Ohad Rein) takes his inspiration from around the world – singing songs about love, life, music, and dreams. His charismatic presence works particularly well in a one-on-one environment, as we recently found out at iTunes. On this Single of the Week, Ohad's earthy vocals work particularly well as does his colourful '60s-influenced sound. If you like what you hear, you can get the album Good Morning at a specially discounted price, for a limited time only.
Canada: I Am John by Loney, Dear
While some of us are lucky if our bedroom musings ever make it past the tear-stained love-letter stage, Sweden's Emil Svanängen has fashioned his private thoughts into a full-on musical project entitled Loney, Dear. "I Am John" starts off with a little brushed, percussive shuffle, and some minor key acoustic strumming. It slowly adds layers of chimes and horns along with sweet backing vocals. The lyrics repeat the telling phrase "I am never gonna let you down . . . but I will always let you down." A hopeful defeatist anthem that we'll call our Single of the Week.
France: Cosmonaute by Stereo Total
Au cours de onze années et six albums, le duo berlinois Stereo Total (dont la chanteuse et romancière Françoise Cactus est née en France) a créé un univers fascinant et haut en couleurs. Leur musique rebondit du disco trashy à la pop années 80, en passant par le punk rock et la chanson à textes. Leur nouvel album, Party anticonformiste, sorti sur Bungalow Records, célèbre la carrière du duo en rassemblant tous leurs hits, pas moins de vingt-quatre. Il présente un groupe qui est parvenu à un succès mondial en restant totalement unique et différent. " Cosmonaute " est notre Single de la semaine sur iTunes.
UK: Down In a Cold Dirty Well by Justin Nozuka
"Down in a Dirty Cold Well" starts off like a lo-fi broadcast from another time before the full range of production kicks in and gives full colour to newcomer Justin Nozuka's soul-laden pop. Still in his teens, the New Yorker uses the twang of acoustic blues as the basis for his emotional storytelling. His voice is a quavering blend of the commercially viable and the expressively soulful. Call him the right mix of Justin Timberlake and Son House.