Salı 17 Eki 2006, 15:47

I'm always looking for new, interesting, and especially free music. I was pointed to a site, www.jamendo.com, and grabbed a couple of free albums through there, as well as some other sources. Rather than go track-by-track on each album, I'll just provide a general overview of each.

Bill Magill - Eskimo In The Sun (5/10)

Jimmy Buffett. That's all I can say. He's got a very similar style, just a tad more country-leaning than beach. I don't see how he was ever in a pop/punk band, myself; he's changed way too much from that style.

Favorite tracks:

Eskimo In The Sun
Come With Me
Wind-Up Music Man

Where to get: http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/bill.magill/

Classic Tragic Hero - Journey (9/10)

These guys are sort of what I'd imagine They Might Be Giants would sound like with a little singer-songwriter poking, or if Andrew Bird or Sufjan Stevens teamed up (or were cloned). Since recommendations work both ways, I'll throw Ben Folds and Barenaked Ladies into this review since fans of both of them should love these guys, given their sometimes quirky but always solid songwriting.

Where to get:

Favorite Tracks:

On The Avenue
Family Tradition
Mr. Mister

Where to Get: http://www.myspace.com/classictragichero

Classic Tragic Hero - That's Life (7/10)

This is a shorter collection, and while still solid and even sillier at times (with songs about magic dogs, and the Weird Al Yankovic-like White Boy Rap) it doesn't quite have the gems of Journey. But if you get one, get the other.

Favorite Tracks:

Slip & Fall
Another Day in The City
Answers from Me

Where to get: http://www.myspace.com/classictragichero (rename the link for "Answers From Me" to remove the "no".)

Swearing At Motorists - Exile On Gipsstrabe (7/10)

I love this album, if only for the concept. This whole thing was recorded in a German subway station late at night. The result is a very simple, echoy acoustic sound, the sort that several rock artists (I'm looking at you, Radiohead) try to imitate. This one is time-sensitive, however- it's being pulled offline after Halloween. So get it now if you're interested.

Favorite Tracks:

Waterloo Crescent
Not Tonight
Ten Dollars

Where to get: http://www.secretlycanadian.com/onesheet.php?cat=SC158

I would greatly appreciate more sources of free albums from a variety of artists. So, if you've got a site, leave a reply and I'll check it out. And if you've got a band, as long as it's not heavy metal or something like that I'd be glad to do a mini-review of your stuff.