What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:30:31 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:

The provocateur: Finally the album that made headlines long before it was ever released is here, and getting fairly good reviews. The album seems intense, and while I'm already bouncing my head to some of the melodies and rhymes ("Queens Get the Money" and "Make the World Go Round" featuring Chris Brown), other tracks are so thick with messages and insinuations it will take more than a quick listen to suss it out ("Sly Fox," for example, is an all-out attack on Fox News).

A new songbird: Every once in a while I flip on VH1 while I get ready in the morning because that's one of the few times I'm able to find actual music videos on the television. On one such morning, I caught this young Aussie singer (and former star of the TV show Neighbours), Delta Goodrem, and she sounded alright. Kinda reminded me of a slightly more upbeat Sarah McLaughlin. Check out the tracks "In This Life" and "Brave Face" from her self-titled album now available in the U.S. and let me know what you think.

One more pick to go (hint: it's a soundtrack) so read more!

Teen angst: This soundtrack might be to today's youngsters what Empire Records soundtrack was to me back in the day. It's a cute, timely mix of songs from a great little movie, and includes tracks from a range of artists including MGMT, Cat Stevens, and The Ting Tings. And while I may not be a teenager, I'm definitely loving this mix. The folks behind this movie have excellent taste in tunes.

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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:32 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

Still rockin': I was surprised when I heard that Pearl Jam was releasing an album exclusively through Target this past Sunday - huh?! - but Backspacer is a solid, mature showing from the heralded band. The songs are full of introspective lyrics, like an older and wiser Eddie Vedder reflecting back on his life, but most of the tracks are fast-paced with a tinge of punk sound. While a bit of head-banging is fun, I've always preferred Pearl Jam's ballads like "Black" over their heavier stuff, so I'll be downloading "Just Breathe" and "The End."

Still waters run deep: Yesterday, we got word that indie artists Sea Wolf made it onto the New Moon soundtrack; now comes their sophomore full-length effort White Water, White Bloom, a mellow album of romanticism. (Perfect for Edward and Bella, no?) Every track has gorgeous storytelling imagery, as singer-songwriter Alex Brown Church constantly weaves in water themes (as his album title and band name hint). The result is something dreamy and lush to listen to on a lazy, sunny day. My favorite tracks: "Wicked Blood," "Dew in the Grass," and "The Orchard."

One more up next, so read more.

Child's play: Those neon outfits, those tight pants, that Freddie Mercury falsetto - everyone knows Mika is a bit outrageous, and his latest album is just as super-charged as his debut. Reportedly inspired by his own adolescence, The Boy Who Knew Too Much is full of that rebellious teenage attitude with the standard Mika dance fever. From the island music of "Blue Eyes" to the nursery rhyme-ish ditty "Toy Boy," it feels light and fizzy, like pop music on Red Bull - and it's just as addictive. You'll either love it or hate it, but as for me, I'll be downloading "We Are Golden" and "By the Time," where he collaborates with Imogen Heap.