Free Albums Galore

Free Albums Galore http://freealbums.blogsome.com Complete, free and legal music albums with permanent hosting. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:09:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha en Anton Batagov — Passionate Desire to Be an Angel http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/24/p1039/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/24/p1039/#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:00:54 +0000 Marvin Modern Composition http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/24/p1039/

Russian keyboardist and composer Anton Batagov is clearly influenced by the minimalist school of post-modern music but he has a highly individual style that borrows from several genres. His album Passionate Desire To Be an Angel has been released as a free and legal online album by the Electrosound net label and has four tracks of intense and emotional music. All of the four compositions are impressive but the first two, “Can You Feel The Rhythm?” and “Conjunctio” are simpl;y stunning. “Rhythm” start with electric guitarist Theophrastus belting out a punk riff that is soon overlapped by Batagov’s ascending piano lines. By the time trombone,. vibraharp and a soulful vocal emerges you have a mesmerizing mixture of modern classical, rock and soul. “Conjunctio” is a 28 minutes piano and organ piece that is very reminiscent of Terry Riley’s keyboard work and, like Riley, is influenced by Buddhist chants and philosophy. The other two tracks are also exceptional works of post-modern minimalism. “Opus Alchymicum” has a somewhat grand melody in which Batagov’s treatment teeters between Phillip Glass and Vangelis. I don’t know why but every time I hear it I think “Chariots of Fire”. “Umbra Solis” has spiritual overtones in its use of organ and chorale. Throughout the album guitarist Theophrastus and vibraphonist Peteris Shuniatis add excellent assistance. This is an unique and inspiring album.

Passionate Desire To Be an Angel is available in 320kbps MP3

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/24/p1039/feed/ S-Master & Esco - Masters of Faser Fu http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/22/s-master-esco-masters-of-faser-fu/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/22/s-master-esco-masters-of-faser-fu/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:08:22 +0000 Marvin Hip-Hop http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/22/s-master-esco-masters-of-faser-fu/

S-Master of Disaster (aka Majic Sean) and James Esco are collaborators in hip-hop from Portland, Oregon. Their free and legal online release is titled Masters of Faser Fu and is the type of witty and creative rapping I’ve come to expect from the Random Flow net label. The topics are numerous and varied including, in their own words, “environmental issues, war and smoking big fat ones while playing high end video games.” The rhythms are crisp and the rhymes keep your attention even when talking about…God help us…”Puppies run over by Humvees”. This is an entertaining album of indie hip-hop.

The album is available in formats of MP3 or Ogg Vorbis.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/22/s-master-esco-masters-of-faser-fu/feed/ Various Artists - Niesencja Vol. 8 http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/various-artists-niesencja-vol-8/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/various-artists-niesencja-vol-8/#comments Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:59:30 +0000 Marvin Ambient Electronica http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/various-artists-niesencja-vol-8/

When I reviewed the seven volumes of the internet music series Niescencje, I somehow missed Volume 8. This wasn’t a good thing since Volume 8 may be the best of the series. It focuses on music with female vocals which got my attention right there. I’ve always been a push-over for the female voice. The collection gets off to a good start with Kang Kai’s “Pictures” a pretty mixture of electronic glitches and a vocal bordering on Euro-folk and Celtic. However it didn’t prepare me for the strange and child-like “Bizarre” by Beatmaster. There is good variety and a number of pleasant surprises on this album. The trip-hop genre is well represented with tracks by Tomas Fusion and L’Eaves. Indie pop is given a healthy dose of feminine mystique in tracks by Bleep and Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees. My favorite track was the nu-jazz “Loser” by Ant on Wax feat. Loar while my wife leaned toward Cubehog’s “Men are Inferior” (I see a disturbing theme here). This is an good collection of pop, electronica, and indie rock from this exceptional series.

The album is available in MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/various-artists-niesencja-vol-8/feed/ Schumann - Carnaval, Op.9 http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/schumann-carnaval-op9/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/schumann-carnaval-op9/#comments Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:21:20 +0000 Marvin Classical http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/schumann-carnaval-op9/ The twenty pieces that make up Robert Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9 stand together as one of the finest works in the repertoire of classical piano. Meant as character studies of the composer and his friends, they run the gamut of technique and mood. The complete work is performed by Joseph Kingma.

The work is available from the inexhaustible Piano Society in 192kbps MP3.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/19/schumann-carnaval-op9/feed/ Hugh Cornwell - Hooverdam http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/16/hugh-cornwell-hooverdam/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/16/hugh-cornwell-hooverdam/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:10:16 +0000 Marvin Rock Alternative Punk http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/16/hugh-cornwell-hooverdam/

I was never much impressed by the British punk group The Stranglers but the best thing about them was the testosterone loaded voice of founder and lead singer Hugh Cornwell. While the Stranglers are still around, Cornwell left in 1990 and recorded several solo albums. The latest album is titled Hooverdam and is available as a free and legal download from Mr. Cornwell’s web site.

Cormwell’s voice has mellowed out through the years. The music on Hooverdam is less aggressive than that of The Stranglers which is a plus in my book. There are some nice rock tunes here including “Please Don’t Put me on a Slow Boat to Plowbridge”, “Wrong Side of The Tracks” and “Delightful Nightmare”. My favorite track is “Within You or Without You” with its talking-blues styled lyrics and its Bo Diddley rhythm. Not every song is a winner but there are enough good times to merit a listen.

Hooverdam is available in 128kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music support the artist by buying the higher sound quality CD and check out his other efforts.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/16/hugh-cornwell-hooverdam/feed/ Mike Link & Harvey Taylor - Beat Elementals http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/14/mike-link-harvey-taylor-beat-elementals/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/14/mike-link-harvey-taylor-beat-elementals/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:16:00 +0000 Marvin World Jazz http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/14/mike-link-harvey-taylor-beat-elementals/

Mike Link and Harvey Taylor have released their second album titled Beat Elementals continuing their successful blend of jazz and world music that was evidenced on their first album. Link’s keyboards and electronics still perfectly meld with Taylor’s cool trumpet style. Some of the tracks remind me a little of Bill Laswell’s world music hybrid. Aside from Link and Taylor’s usual impeccable playing they are joined by some excellent musicians, most noticeably the flute and vocals of Holly Haebig which can be heard to good effect on “Silver Swirl” and “PuraVeda”. “Room For All” has some intriguing didgeridoo work by Julio Pabon. Other fine tracks include “Angels of Mercy”, “Blue-Green Patina”, and “Sun Tour”. This is another exceptional album of jazz and world grooves from this Milwaukee-based jazz-fusion duo.

The album is available from Jamendo by the download link below in VBR MP3. If you enjoy the music support the artist by buying their CDs.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/14/mike-link-harvey-taylor-beat-elementals/feed/ Various Artists - Tellus 9: Music With Memory http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/12/various-artists-tellus-9-music-with-memory/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/12/various-artists-tellus-9-music-with-memory/#comments Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:09:32 +0000 Marvin Avant-Garde http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/12/various-artists-tellus-9-music-with-memory/

The ninth edition of the audio cassette magazine Tellus is titled Music With Memory. The odd title may be alluding to two things; music from computers as in using RAM or music derived from the personal memories of the composer. Both theories can be implied from the seven innovative tracks on this ninth edition of the audio magazine. Overall, this is one of the more consistently excellent of the Tellus series. Nicolas Collins’ “Devil Music” is a fascinating collage that appears to be made from brief fragments of popular music and radio broadcasts. “Stall” by John Driscoll is a drone piece of electronic sounds that is best relished on a good set of headphones. Brenda Hutchinson is known for her electronic manipulation of human voices. The interlude from “Voices of Reason” is a prime example of her hypnotic compositions.

The last four tracks are my favorites. “Parodicals” by Ron Kivila is a clever excursion mindful of the early Moog experiments while his “Cannon Y for C.N.” is both a tribute to Conlon Nancarrow and a affectionate nod to Nancarrow’s player piano pieces. Finally there is the weirdness of Paul de Marinis. His “Yellow Yankee” is a rich and complicated mix of computer keyboard and altered voice but the gem of the album is “Eenie Meenie Chilli Beenie”. If I was in advertising I would call this a children song for freaked out children which explains why I’m not in advertising. this is another issue of Tellus that will fascinate and entertain.

The album is in 160kbps MP3. If you like this collection, check out all the other Tellus issues on Ubuweb. Thanks to Continuo for the cover art and his detailed notes on this series and other out of print delights from the cassette era.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/12/various-artists-tellus-9-music-with-memory/feed/ Sundayers - Sundayers Edición Digital http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/10/sundayers-sundayers-edicion-digital/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/10/sundayers-sundayers-edicion-digital/#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:53:46 +0000 Marvin World Reggae http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/10/sundayers-sundayers-edicion-digital/

The Sundayers from Madrid, Spain play reggae and ska with a decidedly Latin touch. This is good-time music best played on the beach or, at the very least, next to the pool with a sufficient supply of Red Stripe. “Eterno Domingo” is a nice track to get your feet moving while “Latin Jeta” is a sexy Spanish-Caribbean number that is custom made to suit your lazy Sunday. This six-track, 25 minute EP is a winner.

The album can be found on their Myspace page or be downloaded from Jamendo through the link below.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/10/sundayers-sundayers-edicion-digital/feed/ Karhu - Sinfonia For The Blunt Sword http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/08/karhu-sinfonia-for-the-blunt-sword/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/08/karhu-sinfonia-for-the-blunt-sword/#comments Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:39:38 +0000 Marvin Electronica Film Score http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/08/karhu-sinfonia-for-the-blunt-sword/

Karhu’s first album was recently favorably reviewed at this site. The thirty minute EP is a tantalizing look at a long term project of Karhu’s: an alternative film score for Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. The wait is over and Sinfonia For The Blunt Sword delivers the full over-an-hour work. As good as the promo EP was, Sinfonia is a revelation; somber but varied, dense yet immensely listenable. Nothing seems to be off limit. Orchestral strings, hip-hop, turntablism, industrial beats, and chants all work together to create a complex and beautiful soundscape. This is an incredible piece of work that is even more amazing in that the artist chooses to make it freely available. And just for the record, I placed my DVD of Metropolis in the DVD player, turned the TV volume off and played this album. It works just fine!

The album is available in VBR MP3, Ogg Vorbis and Flac.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/08/karhu-sinfonia-for-the-blunt-sword/feed/ Various Artists - Selected Sounds From The Free Music Archive Vol. 1 http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/06/various-artists-selected-sounds-from-the-free-music-archive-vol-1/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/06/various-artists-selected-sounds-from-the-free-music-archive-vol-1/#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:55:26 +0000 Marvin World Rock Other Electronica Punk http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/06/various-artists-selected-sounds-from-the-free-music-archive-vol-1/

I’m really excited about WMFU’s free music archive which will open in November. Anyone who has listened to the radio station or perused its blog has a good idea about how much great music must be hiding in their vaults. The new Selected Sounds From The Free Music Archives may be just a teaser to what we can expect. Since it is volume one, we might get a few more of these which is fine with me.

Volume one will more than do for now. The offerings are split between cuts from indie produced albums and tracks from live studio performances. The 21 tracks range from punk to experimental rock to world music. In other words, the album is as far-out as the radio station. Most of the artists are obscure so I hope the archive will provide more info on these musicians. It’s hard to pick favorites but Fursaxa’s eerie “Song of the Spindle Berry” sent shivers down my spine which continued with Nautical Almanac’s bizarre take on the children song “Rolling in The Green”. Of the live studio takes, I especially liked New Bomb Turks, Kinski and Citay’s somewhat Celtic “On The Wings”. Of the others, Lucky Dragon does a good job mixing cute with bizarre while Food For Animals w/ Faust provides the only hip-hop track of the anthology. This album will certainly hold you over until the full archive is unveiled in November. Thanks WFMU!

The album is available in separate tracks or a full album zip in varying MP3 bitrates.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/06/various-artists-selected-sounds-from-the-free-music-archive-vol-1/feed/ Thanks but… http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/05/thanks-but/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/05/thanks-but/#comments Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:16:01 +0000 Marvin Editorial http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/05/thanks-but/ I received a number of e-mails regarding my last editorial “update” post. Some of you inquired with various levels of concern for my health, sanity, and the state of my marriage. Thanks for your concerns but I assure you that all three are doing just fine. Well…My wife says my sanity is debatable but everything else is cool. I also want to assure everyone that there will be no discernible change in Free Albums Galore. I will continue to provide an album per day as promised when I took over this blog from Luke. If I ever get to the position of not being able to maintain this site, I will pass the baton to someone else as Luke did to me. Free Albums Galore is in for the long haul.

Some people have offered to help me out with the reviewing. I considered that at times but I like the idea of Free Albums Galore being a collection of one person’s opinion. It provides a consistency in criticism. So this site will for better or worse continue as a one man band.

Also thanks to all the bloggers who added me to their blogrolls and said nice things about me…Even the blogger that favorably reviewed my site then warned people that some of the music sounded opposite to how I described it. Hey! I call them as I hear them!

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/05/thanks-but/feed/ PeerGynt Lobogris - The BlueMoon series http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/04/peergynt-lobogris-the-bluemoon-series/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/04/peergynt-lobogris-the-bluemoon-series/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:15:25 +0000 Marvin Metal Rock New Age Progressive Rock http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/04/peergynt-lobogris-the-bluemoon-series/

PeerGynt Lobogris may be one of the most prolific artists to place his music on Jamendo. The Spanish guitarist and composer has no less than 25 online albums freely available. I have listened to most of these and found them to be well played examples of rock guitar mixed with imaginative arrangements bordering on progressive rock and new age. The most interesting ones are on the BlueMoon series of six albums and one sampler LP.

The first BlueMoon sets the stage. The tracks seems to alternate between frantic metal and progressive/new age pieces. All the tracks are well orchestrated but it is the guitar solos that really get my attention.

While the first album’s guitar work reminded me a little of Eddie Van Halen, Bluemoons II Dreams has Carlos Santana written all over it. Perhaps the best guitar solo of the series can be found on “Tongues Entwined”. Dreams is more fusion than metal and a bit exotic in feel. With tracks like the Enya-like “Enchanted Forest” and the blues drenched “I Still Have a Sigh”, this is my favorite in the series.

BlueMoon III Mystic Places is for the most part a return to metal. But even here, quieter tracks like ” Poison In Your Lips” and “Athena’s Challenges” throw subtle surprises at you.

BlueMoon IV Dreams Keeper stars out a bit mystical and is more new age than the others. You will still find some great guitar jamming on tunes like “Into the Wormhole”. For a quieter side with some Spanish influences, try “Remembering My Grandfather”.

By now you should have a good idea of what Peergynt can do, so it is probably sufficient to say BlueMoon V Forgotten Spirits and BlueMoon VI Freezone is more of the same. BlueMoon V is fairly upbeat with “The Wild Side” showing a good share of the fireworks. BlueMoon VI is the latest release and it has some nice flamenco styled playing on “The Alchemist” as well as the now usual mix of progressive and metal jams.

The length of these albums are between 21 to 48 minutes long. But if you don’t want to download every album, there is a 69 minute “Best of” compilation called BlueMoon 2007 offering some of the best tracks from Volumes I through V. For those not totally into guitar rock, it might be the best way to go.

All of these albums and much more from PeerGynt Lobogris are available from Jamendo in VBR MP3.

Download
Peergynt’s BlueMoon
BlueMoon II Dreams
BlueMoon III Mystic Places
BlueMoon IV Dreams Keeper
BlueMoon V Forgotten Spirits
BlueMoon VI Freezone
BlueMoon 2007 (The best of PeerGynt’s BlueMoons)

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/04/peergynt-lobogris-the-bluemoon-series/feed/ Ruth Theodore - Worm Food http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/03/ruth-theodore-worm-food/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/03/ruth-theodore-worm-food/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:25 +0000 Marvin Folk Singer/Songwriter http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/03/ruth-theodore-worm-food/

When I first heard Ruth Theodore I had the same reaction of hearing something innovative and new that I heard with Tom Waits and Jolie Holland. It’s not that she sounds like Waits or Holland. In fact, she doesn’t really sound like anyone else which is sort of the point. Her music has elements of cabaret and folk and there is even a bit of a Brecht and Weill sense of wit on the opening “Overexpanding” and other tunes. However she easily shifts to a jazz/rock influenced “Rash” in which her voice and guitar zooms jaggedly around each other in a way that threatens to fall apart at the seams but never does. Actually her guitar playing can be pretty amazing as is her voice. She is equally impressive on slower tunes like the wistful “Nothing On” and the gorgeous “Kathy’s Song”. No matter what the tempo or mood, Ms. Theodore puts her own unique perspective on these 13 original tracks. Now that 2008 has hit the halfway mark, I can easily say Worm Food is the best free album, and one of the best overall albums, in the first part of the year. Grab this before a major label sweeps her up.

Worm Food is available from Jamendo in VBR MP3 at about 197kbps. If you enjoy the music, support the artist by buying the CD at River Rat Records.

Download

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/03/ruth-theodore-worm-food/feed/ Various Artists - Niesencje Volumes 1-7 http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/01/various-artists-niesencje-volumes-1-7/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/01/various-artists-niesencje-volumes-1-7/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:08:40 +0000 Marvin Ambient Other Electronica Jazz Lounge http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/01/various-artists-niesencje-volumes-1-7/

One of the best ways to get a grasp on the variety of music that is available through netlabels is to browse the several compilation series that has been put together by music fans and bloggers. I have already reviewed a few of them including Netbloc and The Silent Ballet. A new kid on the block is the Netmuzyka.com, a humble blog presenting Niesencje, a creative series of online albums bringing what they consider the cream of the netlabel crop. Their focus is somewhat mainstream, meaning no avant-garde, but there is a wide assortment of electronic music, IDM, nu-jazz, dance, introverted folk/pop, and ambient . There are currently seven collections, all having a consistently high quality with all tracks well chosen and each separate album having a listening duration of 40 to 60 minutes. Quite a few of the artists have already been discovered and written about by yours truly including Umma Project, ST, Post Human Era, and Stockfinster. However I am also unearthing a number of other promising artists which I have made a note to check out more thoroughly. These include the new age Virculum, an urban-percussive Skarv, and a exotically Latin Trafficjam. There’s just too many interesting tracks on these albums. Suffice to say, I’m currently listening to Vim’s fairytale of a tune titled “That Smell of Spring Rain” while it is 114 degrees Fahrenheit outside and digging it. All in all, this is a very fine series, nothing too challenging yet all enjoyable and worth checking out.

The seven albums are available in zips of 192kbps MP3.

Download
Niesencje Vol. 1
Niesencje Vol. 2
Niesencje Vol. 3
Niesencje Vol. 4
Niesencje Vol. 5
Niesencje Vol. 6
Niesencje Vol. 7

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/07/01/various-artists-niesencje-volumes-1-7/feed/ Porteur de L’Image - Through a Glass Darkly http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/30/porteur-de-limage-through-a-glass-darkly/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/30/porteur-de-limage-through-a-glass-darkly/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:15:59 +0000 Marvin Ambient Electronica http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/30/porteur-de-limage-through-a-glass-darkly/ Don Hill’s music project Porteur de L’Image is both strange and inspiring, sort of a “Dark New Age” to coin a phrase. It appears that most consider this to be post-industrial, a description I will grudgingly concede. Through a Glass Darkly, which has the subtitle of “Electronic Sounds of Faith”, was originally released in 2003 from Epiphany records as a limited release but is now available as a free and legal MP3 album. Often surreal and chant-like, Hall’s electronic soundscapes are hypnotic but disquieting. The first three tracks are interesting but it really didn’t grab me until the mesmerizing “Take This Cup from Me” and the following “In Mercy Broken”. Each track has its own unique sound environment and bears attentive listening.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/30/porteur-de-limage-through-a-glass-darkly/feed/ Update http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/29/upate/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/29/upate/#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:17:12 +0000 Marvin Editorial http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/29/upate/ When I took over Free Albums Galore from Luke in 2006, I was recently retired. Since then I landed the proverbial offer-I-can’t-refuse and am now a full-time worker again. This delegates my blogging time to weekends when I search for albums and write up enough posts to fill the week. This of course dominates my weekends and is more than a little irritating to my wife who wonders why I can’t be like a regular guy and just go out and have an affair. Nonetheless I struggle on and continue to bring good quality free and legal albums to the music hungry world…Which is an overly verbal way of explaining why I was shocked when I looked at the album recommendations and found 220 albums I haven’t yet listened to! So if you see a post on an album and wonder “Didn’t I tell him about that a year ago?”, that’s why.

But keep them coming. Email me at freealbumsgalore@yahoo.com.

A caution. If your album is only posted on a share site like Rapidshare, I’m not likely to bother with it. Share sites are not really permanent hostings and usually means it is a “limited-time offer” which I don’t feature either. I have made exceptions like when the artists assures me it will be long-term and that it is actually their album to offer as free, but usually I pass them up.

Here’s a few extra treats for you. Composer Oleg Paiderdin offers quite a few of his compositions on his web site. They tend to be under 10 minutes and lean toward the use of woodwinds rather heavily. Some of the reviewers compare his composition to Arvo Part and Xenakis which is good company indeed.

I am looking forward to the day WFMU’s Free Music Archive kicks off their library and wows us with a vast collection of independent music and local or forgotten artists. Until then, you will still find a lot of interesting music including live studio recordings from the very strange radio station.

I haven’t kept up my music resource page so I urge you to check out these music blogs that review free albums: Phlow, Catching The Waves, and Musikrebell. These are three of the newest and best reviewers of free music on the internet.

I also have not ended with a music video for a while, so here’s one of my favorites. It’s a nice hair metal cover of a classic Del Shannon song with Del and Donny Osmond in cameos. The dinosaurs are pretty rad too! I think I used to jam with the bass player in a bar in Pacoima…

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/29/upate/feed/ Various Artists - Rhaaa Lovely Festival Compilations http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/28/various-artists-rhaaa-lovely-festival-compilations/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/28/various-artists-rhaaa-lovely-festival-compilations/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:04:11 +0000 Marvin Rock Ambient Other Pop http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/28/various-artists-rhaaa-lovely-festival-compilations/

The Rhaaa Lovely Festival in collaboration with The Silent Ballet brings us two exceptional compilation albums featuring artists playing at the the yearly event in Cortil-Wodon, Belgium. This is an idea that I hope other festivals adopt: a free and legal souvenir of what must have been an interesting gathering of indie rock bands.

The 2007 compilation offers 14 tracks by 14 bands. Many of the artists have a cerebral sound that lends to a pleasant and relaxing day. Matt Elliot’s “Our Weight in Oil’ sways along in what sounds like a gypsy melody. The opening track by Whisper in The Noise is between introvert indie and new age. Rothko is the only one of the artists I have heard before and has alway been one of my favorite Tortoise influenced groups. But all is not calming. Hard metallic sounds comes from bands like Pentak and Pelican while We Cut the Tape and Scatter has a disquieting but attention getting style that makes them a group I would like to hear more from. This Lovely Festival isn’t afraid to take chances.

The 2008 compilation has 12 tracks from 12 other artists. Magyar Posse has an symphonic sound while Youthmovies’ “Shhh! You’ll Wake It” has full-bodied indie rock credentials. “Floodwaters” by The . J. Boyd Sexxxtet provides a odd but beautiful setting of chorus and strings. M0re traditional rock sounds can be found on tracks by Dead Meadow and Mutiny on The Bounty but my favorite track is a complex fusion number by Sleeping People. These two albums are fine samplers of music by independent musicians out of the mainstream. Those who went to the festival will have a nice reminder and those of us who didn’t will probably be clearing our calender for next March.

Both albums are available in 192kbps MP3.

Download
2007 Rhaaa Lovely Festival Compilation
2008 Rhaaa Lovely Festival Compilation

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/28/various-artists-rhaaa-lovely-festival-compilations/feed/ Metawon - Electric Dyslexic http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/26/metawon-electric-dyslexic/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/26/metawon-electric-dyslexic/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:42:39 +0000 Marvin Hip-Hop http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/26/metawon-electric-dyslexic/

Metawon’s brand of instrumental hip-hop reminds me a bit of those great soundtracks from classic Blaxploitations films like Shaft and Foxy Brown. The free online Electric Dyslexic from new and promising Neferiu netlabel has that same urbane gritty feel. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the samples came from similar 70s soundtracks. However there is a definite turn to the 21th century with its hip-hop beats and deft sampling. The first track “Unite Them” grabbed me with the soulful vocal sample and soaring guitar while “Metasoul” blends pulsing percussion with teasing rap refrains. Throughout the 31 tracks Metawon creatively combines samples and beats to make each tune an unique musical environment. My only gripe is that the tracks are too short, usually under 2 minutes, As soon as I start to get into the groove the plot changes. Standout tracks include “Tear Shit Up”, “Psalm 23″, and a dreamy “The Ecstacy”. This album get a major fist bump from me…or is that a “terrorist fist jab”? Fox News gets me so confused sometimes…

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/26/metawon-electric-dyslexic/feed/ Ed Prizant - three albums http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/24/ed-prizant-three-albums/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/24/ed-prizant-three-albums/#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:10:20 +0000 Marvin World Rock Folk http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/24/ed-prizant-three-albums/ I’m afraid I’m going to have to plead ignorance when it comes to Russian bard music. As I understand it, Bard Music is sung poetry usually accompanied by a guitar. The lyrics are centered on Russian life or has potilical concerns. One of my readers was kind enough to point out these three free and legal albums by Ed Prizant, a young musician that stays in the tradition of this music. The web site is in Russian but with the help of the not-so-reliable Babelfish I’ve translated the album titles to Step From The Love (2007), Fire of The Large City (2004), and My Clownish Desire (2001). Any Russian speaking readers are welcome to give me the more accurate titles. These albums are difficult to review as the lyrics are so essential to this music and my Russian vocabulary is limited to “Vodka”. However I find Prizant’s voice quite expressive and have no trouble enjoying these very melodic songs despite the language barrier. Check out these three albums. You will not be disappointed.

Again we have albums available in lower than usual bitrate; 64kbps Mp3. However they still sound pretty good and shouldn’t distract too much from your enjoyment.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/24/ed-prizant-three-albums/feed/ Luc Bartoli - Manila http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/23/luc-bartoli-manila/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/23/luc-bartoli-manila/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:08:07 +0000 Marvin Jazz http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/23/luc-bartoli-manila/

The first thing I noticed about the album titled Manila by tenor saxophonist Luc Bartoli is that he uses the same sidemen that are on the groovin’ album by Droopy Contini. Pianist Pov Weyer, drummer Ed Mars and bassist Slikk Tim knows how to bring out the best in a jazz improvisor. But while Droopy harks back to Charlie Parker, Luc Bartoli seems to favor the smooth sound of fellow tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. The title tune and “Nostalgia” both have that mellow relaxing quality that I associate with Mr. Getz. However the other three tracks show some impressive hard bop with “Oneshot” getting down right funky. “Flick To a Trick’ is some of that bluesy playing that evokes evenings in smoke filled jazz clubs with a well nurtured glass of scotch. If you looking for a good free and legal example of top notch mainstream jazz improvisation and some first class backup you’ve found it.

Manila is available in VBR MP3 around 192kbps.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/23/luc-bartoli-manila/feed/ Joseph Nechvatal - Viral SymphOny & Murmuring tOngue Of Ovid http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/21/joseph-nechvatal-viral-symphony-murmuring-tongue-of-ovid/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/21/joseph-nechvatal-viral-symphony-murmuring-tongue-of-ovid/#comments Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:50:32 +0000 Marvin Modern Composition Avant-Garde http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/21/joseph-nechvatal-viral-symphony-murmuring-tongue-of-ovid/ Joseph Nechvatel is a digital artist who creates computer-assisted paintings that are often formulated from specially designed computer viruses. You can view a number of his visual works on his web site. He also occasionally delves into the audio realm using a similar process. Ubuweb, with the permission of the artist, has two of his audio works freely available; Viral SymphOny and Murmuring tOngue Of Ovidwhich is described as the “second movement” of the viral symphony.

Viral SymphOny like “Ovid” is derived from the custom-made viruses that he uses to create his paintings. Mathew Underwood and Andrew Deutsch reworked and reprocessed these viruses to create these sound sculptures. Murmuring tOngue Of Ovid is derived from source materials of a 1985 reading of Ovid’s poem Metamorphosis by Jane Smith. Frankly, the entire process eludes my understanding so I am left with simply hearing the final results which is a haunting and mesmerizing collection of sounds weaving in and out of themselves. How much is random and how much is controlled is uncertain but the works do have a distinctly structured sound to it. These are audio compositions that lend themselves to attentive listening in a quiet environment so you can relish all the subtleties and nuances.

The two pieces are available in 160kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music, support the artist by buying the CD with an extra 50 minutes of audio and field recordings at CDeMusic.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/21/joseph-nechvatal-viral-symphony-murmuring-tongue-of-ovid/feed/ Allison Crowe - Little Light http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/19/allison-crowe-little-light/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/19/allison-crowe-little-light/#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:49:48 +0000 Marvin Rock Pop Folk Singer/Songwriter http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/19/allison-crowe-little-light/

Canadian singer/songwriter Allison Crowe’s latest release is titled Little Light and is in the same folk-pop mode as her other albums. Her voice can be as light as Norah Jones yet her original songs bring out a stronger and more personal character similar to Sarah McLaughlin or Joni Mitchell. Most of the album consists of original material but there are three good covers of tunes by Cyndi Lauper, Phil Ochs, and The Matthew Goode Band. However it is the originals that make this effort stand out. The first two tracks, “Northern Lights” and “Angel” are strong tunes in the folk/rock vein. “Disease” features Crowe’s tumultuous keyboard over an emotional vocal. I also greatly enjoyed the title tune, “Choose To Be”, and the excellent cover of Phil Ochs’ “When I’m Gone”. This is a good collection of songs by a talented songwriter and vocalist.

The album is available in 128kbps MP3. If enjoy the music, support the artist by buying her CDs.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/19/allison-crowe-little-light/feed/ Daniele Giorgi & the Orchestra Pistoiese Promusica - three works http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/17/daniele-giorgi-the-orchestra-pistoiese-promusica-three-works/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/17/daniele-giorgi-the-orchestra-pistoiese-promusica-three-works/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:57:31 +0000 Marvin Classical http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/17/daniele-giorgi-the-orchestra-pistoiese-promusica-three-works/ Daniele Giorgi conducts the Orchestra Pistoiese Promusica in eight orchestral masterpieces that are freely available from the Musikethos web site. These live performances from 2005 and 2006 are all quite good but I chosen three that are, in my opinion, quite exceptional.

We start with Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony n. 4 in A Op.90also known as the “Italian” symphony. Mendelssohn attempted to portray his impression of Italy in this work and it remains the most popular of his symphonies.

Most people know Franz Joseph Haydn for his symphonies and string quartets so the Concerto for cello and orchestra in C major is something a little different from the great classical composer. The cellist is Umberto Clerici.

Finally, the Symphony n. 29 in A major K 201 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart certainly ranked as one of the composer’s finest. It start with a quiet but stately theme and ends in the fourth movement rather dramatically.

All works are available in 160kbps MP3. Make sure you check Musikethos for a cornucopia of other classical performers and works.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/17/daniele-giorgi-the-orchestra-pistoiese-promusica-three-works/feed/ Psicodèlic FunKilljazz - Psicodèlic FunKilljazz http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/16/psicodelic-funkilljazz-psicodelic-funkilljazz/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/16/psicodelic-funkilljazz-psicodelic-funkilljazz/#comments Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:44:13 +0000 Marvin Rock Psychedelia Alternative Punk http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/16/psicodelic-funkilljazz-psicodelic-funkilljazz/

This bit of psychodelic punk psychodrama is brought to you from sunny Spain. Psicodelic FunKilljazz combines 60s psychedelica and 80s funk with a decidedly post-punk mentality. Sort of Country Joe and The Fish versus Funkadelic in a mosh pit. Their self titled album is a bit undisciplined but each track has a certain wild charm. The group sails through jazz riffs, flamenco, cabaret tunes, and screamed vocals with ease as if it makes perfect sense to them. Probably does. Fortunately they have the talent and imagination to get away with it. The four track suite “La Odisea de la Langosta” is the best showcase starting with a quiet mood and ending in hardcore chaos. My advice is to just play the damn thing and go with the flow.

The album is available in separate tracks or full album zip of 128kbps MP3.

]]> http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/16/psicodelic-funkilljazz-psicodelic-funkilljazz/feed/ Tryad - Listen http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/14/tryad-listen/ http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/14/tryad-listen/#comments Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:17:01 +0000 Marvin Electronica Pop http://freealbums.blogsome.com/2008/06/14/tryad-listen/

I briefly mentioned Listen when I featured Tryad’s first creative common licensed album. At the time Listen was not available except by bittorrent. Since then, Jamendo has incorporated direct downloading of its albums so it is time to feature this exceptional online release.

Listen continues Tryad’s lush mixture of trip-hop, jazz, and techno. If anything, it has a more consistent feel as the band perfects its already intriguing sound. The music is a bit more commercial and that is not meant to be a critique. In fact This is the type of high quality commercial sound you will rarely hear in the current state of top 40. Listen to “Beauty”, “Alone” or the title track to hear what I mean. I recommend this album for its lush tones and modern beauty.

The album is available in VBR MP3.

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