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: Keith Sweat, Be Your Santa Claus
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.
US: Motel, Y Te Vas
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. This four-piece from Mexico made the public and the press sit up when its self-titled debut came out in 2006. This was a 21st-century rock band that juggled tune, unique arrangements, and forward-thinking classic rock sound on the back of tracks such as "Dime Ven." This song from their second album, 17, kicks off with an enormous, dirty riff which is followed by the group's moody atmosphere and soaring vocals.
US: Los Straitjackets, Sleigh Ride
Let's pile on the joy with a free holiday track. "Sleigh Ride" is the most well-known tune from American composer Leroy Anderson, who put together this little melody back in 1946. This version comes from the instrumental group Los Straightjackets, and the band turns the track into a high-quality, twang-heavy surf jam.
International Music
Australia: Various Artists, Gotta Go My Own Way
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. Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 is a global phenomenon! Like its predecessor, the High School Musical 2 soundtrack uses songs to tell much of its story with endearing themes. "Gotta Go My Own Way" is an emotional, heart-breaking pop ballad between Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). Take a listen to "Gotta Go My Own Way", our free Single of the Week.
New Zealand: Various Artists, Gotta Go My Own Way
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. Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 is a global phenomenon! Like its predecessor, the High School Musical 2 soundtrack uses songs to tell much of its story with endearing themes. "Gotta Go My Own Way" is an emotional, heart-breaking pop ballad between Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). Take a listen to "Gotta Go My Own Way", our free Single of the Week.
Canada: Bran Van 3000, Forever
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. It's been a solid six years since we last had a full-length from Bran Van 3000, the Montreal-based soul/party/hip-hop/funk collective. Now the floodgates open with the group's third album, Rosé. We've got a track for you as our free Single of the Week and we've picked a good one. "Forever" is future funk and freestyle electro-pop rolled into something bite-sized. Flooded by laser synths and meaty funk rhythms, this tune will keep you occupied for the next six minutes. Make some time for it.
Nederland: Gogol Bordello, Super Theory of Super Everything
"With Super Taranta! Gogol Bordello will conquer the world!," schept Eugene Hutz, Gogol bandleider en agent provocateur, op. "Everything on the album is taken to the next level. It's more direct, more abstract, more focused, with more dark humor. The dub parts are deeper; the fast parts are faster, its pure orgasmo hysteria." Afgelopen week stonden ze in een volle Melkweg. Voor al diegenen die tot nu toe Gogol Bordello zowel op plaat als live hebben gemist, hierbij en gratis track van hun laatste album.....
UK: Beth Rowley, Nobody's Fault But Mine
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. Bristol-based vocalist Beth Rowley has done a fair amount of recording in the past, working with artists such as Ronan Keating and Carleen Anderson, and providing back-up vocals for Crowded House. But she's on her own on this cover of the blues standard "Nobody's Fault But Mine". While definitive versions of this track have been recorded by the likes of Sister Rosetta Thorpe and Nina Simone, Rowley makes her case on this warm and desolate version, in which dreamy gospel harmonies and snaky acoustic guitar augment her warm tone.
France: Takana Zion, Sweet Words
Chaque semaine, nous trouvons un morceau d'un artiste ou d'un groupe que nous avons apprécié et nous vous le faisons partager.Concerné très jeune par les inégalités qui rongent non seulement son pays, la Guinée, mais aussi le monde entier, Takana Zion prend conscience que l'association du verbe et du son est une arme puissante et décide de s'en servir. Il commence à évoluer dans le milieu du rap guinéen et le dancehall puis se tourne intensément vers le reggae. Fort de ses rencontres avec des artistes tels que Brother Sam ou Tiken Jah Fakoly, Takana multiplie par la suite les expériences sur scène avec une prestation remarquée à l'Elysée Montmartre à Paris mais aussi en studio avec différents musiciens comme Manjul avec lequel il réalise son album Zion Prophet en janvier 2007. En cherchant à exprimer les émotions dans différentes langues – soussou, malinke, anglais et français – Zion Prophet témoigne d'une volonté de libération et de progression, au travers d'inspirations musicales variées allant du nyabinghi et du roots reggae au rock steady en passant par le dancehall et même le blues.Si vous aimez ce morceau, obtenez l'album ici.
Japan 今週のシングル: Blue Bird Classic, Eccy
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US Video
No new videos this week.
US Audio Books
US: An Excerpt from Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them (Abridged Nonfiction), John McCain and Mark Salter
This is a free excerpt from Hard Call. There is a point in everybody's life at which a tough decision will have to be made – a hard call. For inspiration and direction, we can look to the remarkable individuals in John McCain and Mark Salter's book, which dramatically describes the anatomy of a great decision, including: Branch Rickey's decision to offer Jackie Robinson a contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the face of public opposition. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's decision to return to Liberia, after receiving an economics degree from Harvard University, to face the nightmare of a civil war, imprisonment, and the challenge of leadership. General Fred Weyand's decision to redeploy 15 of his battalions, despite resistance from senior American military commanders in Vietnam. Woven into these stories are McCain's own views on the process and art of decision-making, and stories about hard calls he's faced, and the ones we might all have to face in the future. Hard Call is an inspiring testament to grace under pressure by one of America's most admired political leaders.