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 Items
US: Kardinal Offishall, Dangerous (feat. Akon) - Single of the Week
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 Single of the Week. This week, we're getting a little love from our neighbors to the north. Kardinal Offishall comes to use straight outta Canada and this cut is a slick, bouncy club favorite that has been all over the charts up north. It wouldn't be a chart-topper without an Akon appearance. The Senegalese vocalist with the Midas touch adds a few verses and some production duties on this synth-heavy track.
US: Leny, Llegará ese Día - Canción de la Semana
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. Leny keeps things as smooth as is humanly possible on "Llegara Ese Dia". He's got an R&B slickness to his vocals, but the fluid percussion and the bachata rhythms are less about filling up the clubs but more about creating a sophisticated and romantic sound. Fans of Aventura or Juan Luis Guerra or anyone who fell for Leny's "Debil" last year will find much to savor here.
US: Sidney Poitier, Life Beyond Measure
Sidney Poitier is one of the most revered actors in the history of Hollywood. He has overcome enormous obstacles in extraordinary times and is a role model for many Americans because of his convictions, bravery, and grace. Poitier reflects on his amazing life in Life Beyond Measure, offering inspirational advice and personal stories in the form of extended letters to his great-granddaughter.
US: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Abridged First Chapter)
This is an audio page-turner that will have you sitting in the car after you reach your destination just to hear the end of the chapter. Lynn Redgrave delivers a lively interpretation of the adventure, with a cultured British accent and nuances that give every character a unique voice.
International Music
Australia: Brett Dennen, Ain't No Reason - Single of the Week
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."Ain't No Reason" is the opening track on Brett Dennen's second album and it's a beauty. Dennen's cool, soulful vocals signal the arrival of a great new vocalist who is as adept at folk as he is with pop. There's an earnest, soul-baring vocal turn on this track that shows both confidence and vulnerability. Dennen shows there's a bit more to him than just that flashy headband. If you like the track, check out the album.
New Zealand: Brett Dennen, Ain't No Reason - Single of the Week
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."Ain't No Reason" is the opening track on Brett Dennen's second album and it's a beauty. Dennen's cool, soulful vocals signal the arrival of a great new vocalist who is as adept at folk as he is with pop. There's an earnest, soul-baring vocal turn on this track that shows both confidence and vulnerability. Dennen shows there's a bit more to him than just that flashy headband. If you like the track, check out the album.
Canada: Pony Da Look, Wishstick - Single of the Week
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. Toronto's Pony Da Look has the unique distinction of liking both medieval vocal music and Billy Idol. Oddly, enough you can hear both in "Wishstick" - a track from the group's debut, Shattered Dimensions. No lutes here, instead you'll find the slightly gothic monotone of the vocal that harks back to ye olden days while the band concocts a mid-paced electro-rock backing slightly akin to "Eyes Without a Face" to supplant the witchy-ness. May not be suitable for white weddings.
Nederland: MGMT, Weekend Wars - Single Van de Week
Elke week zoeken we een nummer uit van een artiest of band die wij goed vinden en bieden jou die gratis aan als Single van de Week. MGMT is een band uit Brooklyn wiens debuut is geproduceerd door Flaming Lips constante factor, Dave Fridmann. Ze hebben ook een groot deel van 2007 besteed aan het verkrijgen van nieuwe fans, als openingsact van Of Montreal. Heldere psychedelische rock met elektronische overtonen is misschien de beste omschrijving van "Weekend Wars". Het is een oogverblindend popjuweel, fonkelend met laserstralen en verfijnde glam-rock.
UK: Santogold, You'll Find A Way - Single of the Week
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. Santi White is Santogold, a Brooklyn child running wild in the indie pop jungle. She raps and sings over a brutal concoction of dub, punk, electro and new wave, eliciting positive comparisons to Karen O, Annabella Lwin and M.I.A. The single "You'll Find A Way" shows Santogold's nouveau pop excellence. Influential producers such as Diplo, Freq Nasty, Mark Ronson, Switch, XXXchange and Naeem (Spankrock) lined up to appear, produce and remix songs from her forthcoming self-titled album. Get on the Santogold bandwagon while there's still room.
France: Luke Temple, Where Is Away - Single de la semaine
Chaque semaine, nous trouvons un morceau d'un artiste ou d'un groupe que nous avons apprécié et nous vous le faisons partager.Après Hold A Match For A Gazoline World (sorti en 2006 chez Fargo), Luke Temple revient avec un nouvel album intimiste, ambitieux et généreux, d'une intelligence curieuse mêlée à une douce folie exemplaire. Sorti le 3 mars 2008 sur le label Minimum, Snowbeast nous offre une collection pop lumineuse, gorgée de soul extra-terrestre, de couleurs et d'orchestrations pleines d'inventivité. Son audace, l'attrait mélodique de ses chansons à la fois douces et sauvages, l'aimable étrangeté des arrangements et sa voix de flûte ourlée (« l'une des plus belles de la musique pop » selon Sufjan Stevens) ne manqueront pas de vous rendre accro.Si vous aimez ce morceau, obtenez l'album ici.
Japan: lego big morl, dim - Single - 今週のシングル
ブレイク直前の新進アーティストを紹介するこのページ。今週は大阪出身、高校の同級生4人による疾走ポップなロックバンド、lego big morl。2006年に結成したばかりの彼ら、今年の4月には公式音源リリース前にも関わらずARABAKI ROCK FEST.へ出演した。緻密にアレンジされた楽曲と、キャッチーなメロディライン。独自の言葉を紡いだ歌詞の、繊細ながらも力強い歌。ハイクオリティな楽曲が一筋縄ではいかない彼らのサウンドルーツを暗示して、これは世代を代表するバンドになる可能性を持ったビッグなフレッシュマンの登場だ。
