The Fall by Gorillaz
We've listened to plenty of albums on our iPads, but never one that was actually made on an iPad. The Fall by Gorillaz ($45) is exactly that. The album's tracks were written and performed on an iPad, with a little help from some traditional instruments, a lot of help from various apps, and just a dab of help from Bobby Womack. You can listen to it online for free, but if you want to actually download it before it's official release next year, you'll need to pony up for the fan club. Then again, if you're considering paying $45 for one album, you're probably already a member.
Tron Legacy Soundtrack by Daft Punk
If you're looking for a new Daft Punk album hiding under the guise of a movie soundtrack, this isn't it. But if you're looking to hear an orchestral soundtrack with techno beats and the occassional bleep, bloop, or crunchy thud thrown in, you'll be completely satisfied with the Tron Legacy Soundtrack by Daft Punk ($12). Spanning 22 tracks, it's decidedly serious and a more than a little dark, but it's perfect background music for working, reading, or riding lightcycles.
Gasoline Rainbows
Gasoline Rainbows ($10) is a compilation album featuring some of the best indie music has to offer with all the proceeds going to help with the gulf oil spill. The project was lead by Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols of One Tree Hill, and features the likes of Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Damien Rice, The National, Passion PIt and more. Build your music library while helping to restore the gulf. 100% of proceeds goes to Global Green.
This review comes from our friends at The Downplayer, the Santa Claus of MP3's.
Black Sabbath
What comes in a black cross filled with CDs, guitar picks, and other memorabilia? If you guessed the Black Sabbath Box Set ($200), you guessed correctly. This deluxe collection includes all nine Ozzy-era Sabbath albums — Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master Of Reality, Volume 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Technical Ecstasy, Never Say Die and We Sold Our Souls — as well as three radio documentaries and a 100-page illustrated discography.
Socks by Mack Weldon
So comfortable customers routinely claim they’re “walking on clouds” thanks to the cushioned footbed. The No Shows ($14.50/2 pack) have a “no slip grip” that stays put in low cut summer shoes, while the crew length styles actually stay up if you want them to. Get one or get them all - the Sock Drawer ($135) includes 16 pairs. But do get them soon, because like all things Mack Weldon makes, these are in high demand (and insanely comfortable).
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
After 2008's Auto-Tune love-fest 808s & Heartbreak, Mr. West has been in the news more for his antics than his music. That trend should start to reverse itself with the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West ($9). Although plenty of the album's tracks were utilized in the mega-video Runaway, there's still plenty to discover here, including Kanye taking shots at South Park, SNL, and anyone else who dares question his status as the rightful sucessor to MJ's legacy of weirdness. Or something.
All Day by Girl Talk
Everyone's favorite renegade remixer Gregg Gillis is back with another round of sure-fire party music. All Day by Girl Talk (Free) is a new mash up album, available as one 71-minute file or as 12 separate tracks, and featuring 372 samples, starting with bits and pieces of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" and finishing on John Lennon's "Imagine," with chunks of Foxy Brown's "Hot Spot," the Beastie Boys' "Paul Revere," and many more in between. Oh, and did we mention it's free?
The Lady Killer by Cee-Lo Green
Remember that infectious Gnarls Barkley song called "Crazy" that you played so much you literally went crazy? Well Cee-Lo Green (one half of the gnarly duo) is branching out on his own again with The Lady Killer ($10). The album is a soulful R&B/pop record that keeps you interested from start to finish. Besides this one, we're loving his cover of Band of Horse's "No One's Gonna Love You" and the synthy "Bright Lights, Bigger City."
This album review comes courtesy of our friends at The Downplayer, the only site worth visiting when you're looking for awesomely free MP3's.
Sidewalks by Matt & Kim
Meet the Meg and Jack White of Pop/Dance/Punk. The Brooklyn duo known as Matt & Kim released their third album Sidewalks ($8) this week. A dance album from start to finish, Sidewalks strings you along with dance beats and familiar rhythms. While there's clearly commercial appeal and obvious influences, the record just feels fresh. This album will fit nicely in your collection next to Phoenix and Passion Pit. Download: "Cameras."
This album review comes courtesy of our friends at The Downplayer, the only site worth visiting when you're looking for awesomely free MP3's.
Mt. Desolation
What happens when two English band mates drink too much? According to Keane's Tim-Rice Oxley and Jesse Quin, they decide to make a country record. Mt. Desolation ($13) is the new alt-country side project of Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin of the aforementioned indie band. The record was produced by Emery Dobin (Antony & The Johnsons, Noah And The Whale) and features players from The Killers and Mumford & Sons. It's an easy-listening record that's honest and believable.
This album review comes courtesy of our friends at The Downplayer, the only site worth visiting when you're looking for awesomely free MP3's.
Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box
Not even Johnny Depp has worked as much with Tim Burton as has celebrated composer Danny Elfman. The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box ($500) celebrates this unique partnership with an epic limited edition set that includes all 13 original scores Elfman has composed for Burton, unreleased music, a bonus DVD, a skeleton key flash drive with all the musical goods in MP3 format, a 250+ page book, and exclusive artwork by Burton, all packaged in a working zoetrope box. Sure, it's a little eccentric, but so are they.
Write About Love by Belle & Sebastian
After a five year hiatus, the Scottish indie rockers are back with their new album, Write About Love ($8). It's the same catchy melodies and beautiful harmonies but with a fuller, more mature sound. With guest appearances by Carey Mulligan and Norah Jones, this is our favorite album from the band to date. Grab a nice scotch and unwind to the soothing sounds of Belle & Sebastian.
This album review comes courtesy of our friends at The Downplayer, the only site worth visiting when you're looking for awesomely free MP3's.
Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon
There are plenty of examples of a band that's been around for a long time — since 1999, in this case — hitting the big time and proceeding to fall flat on their next album, trying to please too many people at once. Fortunately, Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon ($10) isn't one of them. The follow-up to 2008's platinum-selling Only by the Night, Sundown finds the family/band picking up where they left off, expanding sonically and producing some surprisingly personal lyrics while retaining the core alt-rock sound that made them stars in the first place.
