iTunes: Free Tuesday
Once again, TUAW is pleased to present you with a selection of free songs and videos from around the world. Many of these iTMS items won't be free for long, so grab your copies before the week is up. And don't forget: If you want to buy these on your iPhone or iPod touch, make sure to sign into your account in iTunes before you sync.
US Music
US: Chanticleer, Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Chanticleer is an all-male classical choral group founded in 1978 to perform Renaissance choral music. Sounds heavy, right? Well, its Christmas album, Let it Snow, is as light and fluffy as freshly fallen Yuletide snow, and even features a full big band on several tracks. There are 15 great Christmas-y tracks in all, so if you enjoy this traditional arrangement of "Ding Dong! Merrily on High," we encourage you to check out the rest of the album.
US: Victor Manuelle, Lechón, Lechón, Lechón
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Canción de la Semana. Here's a bit of holiday salsa from one of Puetro Rico's finest practitioners, Victor Manuelle. His ease with the vocals and rhythmic style make this track one of of our new seasonal favorites.
US: London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis & Tenebrae Choir, Messiah: Part II, No 44. Hallelujah
Handel's Messiah was first performed in a theater during Lent in 1742, but the work has since become of staple of Christmas concerts in churches the world over. The whole thing is two and half hours long, so we chose our favorite bit for this week's free Discovery Download: the "Hallelujah" chorus, based on excerpts from the Book of Revelation. If you like it, check out the rest of the album, which features a bonus video with excerpts of the live performance at London's Barbican concert hall and an interview with conductor Sir Colin Davis.
International Music
Australia: Van She, Cat & The Eye
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Rugged explorers of cosmic rock Van She have returned with a lurching space monster of a track called "Cat & the Eye". The song is the first glimpse into their long-awaited debut album – set to land on earth from April 2008. "Cat & the Eye" is an introduction to the tougher side of Van She.
New Zealand: Van She, Cat & The Eye
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Rugged explorers of cosmic rock Van She have returned with a lurching space monster of a track called "Cat & the Eye". The song is the first glimpse into their long-awaited debut album – set to land on earth from April 2008. "Cat & the Eye" is an introduction to the tougher side of Van She.
Canada: Matt Costa, Mr. Pitiful
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Matt Costa is a singer/songwriter from Southern California whose Songs We Sing brought him much acclaim for his gentle, hummable style. Opening for acts like Jack Johnson and Gomez opened up Costa's fan base and "Mr. Pitiful" is the first track from his eagerly awaited new album. The tune is a jaunty bit of piano pop with Costa dropping great lyrical witticisms.
Nederland: Typhoon, Drieluik
Ieder week komen wij met een track van een artiest of band en bieden deze gratis aan als onze Single van de week. Eerlijkheid is het sleutelwoord op het debuutalbum van de Nederlandse rapper, Tussen Licht en Lucht. Glen de Randamie (beter bekend als Typhoon) houdt het niet bij standaard hip-hop teksten; hij legt zijn ziel bloot in zijn tracks en gaat verder dan de gebruikelijke hip-hop. "Ik ben geen rapper, maar een echte levenskenner", zoals hij zelf zegt. Als het leven een leerproces is dan is Typhoon wel een zeer ijverige leerling. Zijn teksten zijn rauw en confronterend, zowel voor hemzelf als zijn luisteraars. Onze track deze week, "Drieluik", is hier een voorbeeld van.
UK: Yoav, Beautiful Lie
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Yoav is a London-based singer-songwriter who, like many before him, bases his songs around his voice and an acoustic guitar. Where Yoav differs is in execution. Case in point is "Beautiful Lie" – which builds up an epic air with layers of acoustic touches and Yoav's own yearning vocals but manages to do this in a unique, ethereal way.
France: The Black Seeds, The Answer
Chaque semaine, nous trouvons un morceau d'un artiste ou d'un groupe que nous avons apprécié et nous vous le faisons partager.Originaires de Nouvelle-Zélande, The Black Seeds regroupent pas moins de huit musiciens différents. Ce groupe aux influences dub, roots reggae et funk s'est fait une solide réputation dans son propre pays mais également en Australie grâce à des tournées incessantes et des performances scéniques bien rodées. Découvrez " The Answer ", la première piste de leur nouvel album, Into the Dojo, et laissez-vous emporter par le mélange profond de ligne de basse et d'arrangements studio.Si vous aimez ce morceau, obtenez l'album ici.
Japan 今週のシングル: makichang, ame to kasa to tsunaida te
無料でお試しいただける今週のシングルは、石川県出身のシンガーソングライター高森ゆうき。下北沢シェルターで様々なミュージシャンとの親交を通じてキャリアを積んだ彼は、2006年に「陽当良好」(LOST IN TIMEの海北氏参加)を自主制作リリース。アコースティックギターを軸にしたスタイルと温かい日本語詞で、多くの真摯なリスナーの心に呼びかけた。初めてのミニ・アルバムである「leaflet」のレコーディングメンバーは、つよし(太陽族)、伊賀航(Caravan、つじあやの、湯川潮音)、冨田政彦(山田ジャクソン7)、溝田志穂(ex.Hermann H&The Pacemakers)、池内亮氏(曽我部恵一、セカイイチ)といった豪華な顔ぶれ。話題のぬくもりサウンドをフリーダウンロードでチェックしてみて!
US Video
US: Comedy Central Stand-Up, Mitch Hedberg
With the largest library of stand-up comedy anywhere, Comedy Central has a whole lot of stars and a whole lot of laughs. Download hilarious performances from A-list superstars and up-and-coming comics from across the globe, right here.
US Audio Books
US: The Christmas Story: The Bible Experience (Unabridged)
Hear the drama of the Christmas story like never before!Drawn from the award-winning production of The Bible Experience, this selection includes the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew (from the Book of Matthew 1-2) and as told by Luke (from the Book of Luke 1-2).