Jeff McLeod is a self-described "goofy sort of experimentalist," that takes you into a world of swirling guitars and elongated feedbacks reminding you of James Iha's own feedback sample in Drown, albeit less consistent but more raw.

Ever Stretching Shadows contemplates and captures the mood of a man sitting down with nothing but his instrument and amp reverb; tinkering away and forgetting that somewhere a record button is turned on. Made from a live field recording, the artist recorded 100 tracks, narrowing it to his top 6 and creating this 25 minute raw and eclectic guitar album.

Initially released as a limited 50 CD set, this album is now made available as a free download at WM Recordings which is the same label that has hosted the artists' previous three recordings. With a deep affection for "improvisation and subversion of musical forms," McLeod is one of those musicians who throughout his life, has had his stint in a multitude of bands from different genres like punk, metal, noise and even prog. Hence, this album slightly reflects his quiet and reserved side. Something each musician deems to release at some point in his career.

Personally, I love the whole vibe of the album. But then again, I'm a bit impartial because of my natural love for anything guitar related. The melancholy feel of the tracks might be a put-off for some, but for those who love to "wallow in misery" so to speak, then this will serve as a great album to relax to. He's no Buckethead or John Petrucci when it comes to technicality, but then again I don't think he's aiming for that. Sometimes, it's not the skill that you look for, but the feel and the soul that comes through when a musician sits down with his instrument of choice.

Related Links:
Jeff McLeod's Website
Jeff McLeod on Myspace
Jeff McLeod on LegalTorrents.com
Jeff McLeod on Archive.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Netherlands License.

Making alternative and pop rockers happy again by fusing elements of progressive rock, world music and alternative, Shatterhand is the brainchild of James Pink and Neil Mavor.

With thubthumping drums, sweeping guitars reminiscent of a 70s guitar solo, and monotone vocals you would expect from an "alternative" band, Shatterhand doesn't break boundaries. They do succeed, however, in covering the basics of what progressive and alternative music means.

Citing diverse influences like "Jeff Martin, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, and 80's music," it's hardly surprising that the band sounds like they do.
Shatterhand's self-titled album is composed of 9 songs that are as typical as they come. With the standard slow acoustic guitar intro in Day by Day, the contemplation of existence in the Edge of the World, and the obvious cry for help in Drowning Man. Although I must admit I like the world music elements that the band incorporated, the rest of it is simply too haphazard to accept as a coherent album. It's like asking Dream Theater to perform with Scott Stapp on vocals, complete with rather dry and simplistic lyrics.

To the band's credit, it was a good attempt even if I personally think that it fell short. A little more honing and crafting can go a long way and who knows the band might just get to the right brew they were hoping to create in the first place.

Shatterhand's album is available for free download under a creative commons license. You can get these download links here as well as get updated about the band by visiting the site links below.

Related Links:
Shatterhand's Website
Shatterhand on Facebook

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.

Derek Clegg’s newest release KJC is a cathartic effort, exploring mature subject matter ranging from death, to love, to even the current events swirling around us today. His lyrics are coated in a lush body of sound which will be pleasing to any avid listener of the Indie-Folk genre.

Licensed under a Creative Commons license, "KJC" is now available as a free download for everybody to be able to enjoy this great production and share with their friends and family.

Clegg is Michigan-born, now living in Chicago, IL where he records and performs his brand of Pop/Indie-Folk with a dab of Country straight from the heartland. He works alone, crafting his music from the bottom up; from the initial writing, to engineering and recording in the studio; and it would seem that Derek Clegg has hit a good stride with KJC after having already recorded three albums. It’s exciting to see this sort of effort put out by solo artists, creating quality music without the help of a record company or a producer.

04 Derek Clegg "Home" FrostWire.com by frostclick

KJC manages to mix the old with the new, a quality which should be familiar to fans of this genre, however this album does present something familiar while at the same time embracing uniqueness. Clegg, a self-described “multi-instrumentalist”, mixes in countless sounds throughout each track. Standard indie instruments obviously make their presence known—including the ubiquitous soft-handed drumset—alongside drum loops, alien synthesizers, marimba, and possibly a few other things. Normally this would just sound cluttered, but Clegg’s complete aversion to heavy handed delivery gives the listener a mature sense of calm and open space, while his voice sails atop. Also, while the singer does play a majority of the instruments on the album, Mike Madden (drums) and Randy Flinders (bass) contribute their talents on "Hope", "Home", and "Cannot Change".

The breakout songs of this album, like “Home” and “The Good Die Young” show Clegg in his element, marrying rich instrumental textures with substantive lyrics and confident—yet implicitly vulnerable—singing. As a Michigan native with songs of middle class strife in tow, like the song “Hope”, we need artists like Clegg to tell the story of the common man, which he does so well in his lyrics.

I would say its quirky acoustic indie pop with a splash of alt country. I like a lot of different music but the one thing I care most about is good songwriting. If the song doesn't get stuck in your head then its probably not that good. No mater what form or genre. If you like strong songwriting with a good melody and tightly laced harmonies. I would say that my music is for you. If you like songs that are well thought out and sound like there was a lot of thought and work in them. You should check out my music.

-Derek Clegg

And I too hope you all check out Derek Clegg's great new album. Unfortunately, as of now he has no live shows planned, so do the next best thing by downloading this album. You won't regret it.

Related Links:
Derek Clegg’s Official Home Page
Derek Clegg on MySpace

KJC by Derek Clegg is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

"Color in a world of monochrome" is the tagline for the thirteenth netBloc compilation release from blocSonic, and there couldn't be a more appropriate way to describe this collection of photos, artwork, and of course fantastic free music.

A feast of visual and audio delights, there's more than enough here to keep you interested for the long haul, and to make you want more.

Much of the time I find free compilations a little boring, because they often come across like a bunch of random songs thrown together to try to draw attention to a label or a blog. But when I was introduced to the world of blocSonic's netBloc releases, I had to learn to listen and look at free compilations in a different light. These are collections that each have their own purpose, carefully assembled into packages that look as good as they sound.

It would be impossible to discuss the extraordinary nature of netBloc music without giving equal attention to the visual aspect, the virtual packaging that for me is just as interesting and engaging as the songs. It's really not enough just to download the music - you'll want to have the album booklet and the package art, as well . So much time and attention has been given to making these more than just music releases - they're multimedia packages that will keep you listening, watching, and thinking for many hours, wrapped up in a fantasy world where images and music are just two halves of the same art form.

This particular netBloc (volume 13) is of particular interest not only because the songs fit the theme of "color in a world of monochrome" (i.e. bright gems that stand out from the grey background of noise), but because this theme has a more literal meaning, as well. The PDF booklet features the innovative photography of Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii, taken from the Library of Congress' collection of his work. Gorskii was the first person to come up with a method for taking color photos, and the results, from the first decade of the 20th century, are nothing short of stunning. The photos and the accompanying graphic design within the album booklet make for great browsing while you're listening to this eclectic set of tunes - pop it on your Kindle or iPad, kick back on the sofa, and immerse yourself for an hour or so. You'll be treated to alternative pop, post-rock, electronica, and even French hip-hop, all tied together with amazingly vivid imagery.

Related Links:
netBloc 13 main page
All blocSonic netBlocs
netBloc 13 on Archive.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

People often ask me how many languages I speak, simply because my music collection holds so many international artists who don't sing in English. But to tell the truth, I don't require a song to be sung in a language I understand, in order for me to be able to connect with it.

If you never thought you could get into music in any language other than English, I urge you to give Anabase's Le Bonheur Flou a try.

If you don't already speak French, Le Bonheur Flou is the sort of album that will make you want to learn, or at least have a croissant for breakfast and pretend. The reason these songs penetrate the soul so effectively: the radiant voice of lead singer Clara Scherrer.

There's not a person I share this album with who doesn't develop a crush on her, based solely on her voice (mind you, it doesn't hurt that she looks great on stage, too). When she sings, you stop caring about everything - your personal problems, your job, your rent. There's something sufficiently Cranberries about her that you can easily imagine Clara becoming the Dolores O'Riordan of her country and generation. She has that dreamy-yet-purposeful sound that is as stirring as it is soothing.

As for the music, it's a mix of styles that could be referred to as "alternative," an annoyingly vague term which happens to fit in this case. Piano-based songs open up into raunchy guitars, and then settle back down into quiet acoustic numbers. Although there's nothing particularly pop-like in the collection, the songs are well-written and interesting enough that you'll find yourself humming along, or perhaps looking up the lyrics on Google if you're feeling ambitious. The melodies are catchy without being corny, and the arrangements are smoothly produced without losing their edge or energy.

However, if you absolutely insist that you can't enjoy a song without the lyrics being in English, Anabase still have you covered - "My Castle's Down" is not the best track on the album by a long shot, but it's enough to give you taste of Clara's voice, which in turn will almost certainly be enough to make you want to listen to everything else she has ever recorded. Most of which is in French... but by that point you won't care! You'll be hooked. And if you already speak French and dig indie rock with chick singers, then Le Bonheur Flou is bound to be an instant favourite.

Related Links:
...anabase* Official Site
...anabase* on MySpace
...anabase* on Last.fm
...anabase* on Jamendo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 France License.

Not all music albums are created the same way; there are some which just pass by, and others which gets stuck in your media player and your head. And Circa Vitae certainly does a very good job with the latter.

Circa Vitae EP contains eight tracks which are resemblant of pop, rock and electronic fused with indie flavor. Literally translated into "About Life," Circa Vitae definitely puts a lot of life factors and experiences in this music album.

Circa Vitae might sound like just another alternative rock band, but you will surely hear some hints of art rock, punk rock, and even pop which makes their tracks quite catchy and easy to remember.

The band was established in 2007, with Nate Beveridge on the Bass and Thaddeus Moore on the Drums. Britt Brady comes after with his guitar and his voice, and Wesley Curtis with the other guitar. Anna Ponto came in, as well, with her multi-talented skills on various instruments, as well as a feminine vocal touch in some tracks. She plays the guitar, keyboards and the violin, which gives their songs a very distinct and diverse flavor.

Circa Vitae EP was released in December 2008, and then came quite a positive feedback around their hometown in Eugene, US as well as other countries.

Circa Vitae EP is definitely a real proof as to how far this band can go. And we guess they would still be making lots of great music years from now.

Related Links:
Circa Vitae Website
Circa Vitae on Jamendo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License and is available as a free download in Jamendo.

Try J.E.L.L.i.'s version of the carols that we all know - and you would surely have a smile stuck on your face. With six cuts packed in his Christmas album, A Jolly J.E.L.L.i. Christmas puts a whole new twist to the tunes we've grown up with and learned to love.

A Jolly J.E.L.L.i. Christmas was released on the first of December this year although the songs were recorded when this FTC student Christopher Sauter was still in high school back in 2003. And he proves to be one talented young man, too - he recorded these remakes all by himself. All the vocals, the instruments and the arrangements were all done by one man: J.E.L.L.i.

J.E.L.L.i's name is a controversy on its own too, since Christopher obviously keeps this as a secret from his avid listeners. Oh, and he has a whole page dedicated to it where people can guess what it means.

The album opens up with Linus & Lucy, a jazz piano piece which regularly appeared in the Peanuts television specials. And if you grew up with Charlie Brown and everybody, that melody would really get you going - especially when you hear it in rock.

A really catchy tune in this album is Feliz Navidad. (Hey, since when did Feliz Navidad mean Happy New Year?) Yeah, you would be hearing such remarks right in the tracks itself. And with a really nice remix and feel to that classic Christmas song, it's almost impossible to ignore this Christmas album.

Do something different this Christmas. Play A Jolly J.E.L.L.i. Christmas and see your Mom go crazy (either in a bad or good way) once they hear these Christmas carols in a whole new way.

Related Links:
A Jolly J.E.L.L.i. Christmas
J.E.L.L.i.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License and is available as a free download from Jamendo.com.

Unique and appealing music - that's what we simply want to find as we dive into an ocean of music collection found in the internet.

Bézèd'h gives us just that with their album Les Illuminés. With 13 tracks fusing rock, celtic, drums and violins all rolled into one, this album is surely one of those which can leave your head bobbing.

Oh, and did we say that they also got interesting male vocals with classical strings?

Released in May 2007, Les Illuminés which means "The Illuminations" in French, has a lot of interesting melodies in its tracks. When you hear them play for the first time, they have a distinct sound which utilizes violin mixed with rock. The album itself is a great alternative to the usual noisy and heavy rock tunes nowadays, as well as the pop and mainstream rock.

Violins and guitars, with great drums in the background truly catch Bézèd'h's listeners. If you are fond of playing various free MMORPGs, you might say that some of their instrumental cuts would work perfect with such games.

Bézèd'h is composed of Marcel on the electro-acoustic guitar, Philippe on the guitar, Christoo on the drums, Eric on the bass, flute and the choirs, and Veronique on the violin.

There are a lot of interesting cuts in the album. There are some more relaxed rock tracks, and the more heavily inspired by celtic sounds in some. Les Amis d'All has a great violin opening which would probably make you feel like dancing, while d'trop gives you those exceptional drum beats.

If you're looking for a unique album, then Les Illuminés might just be the one you're looking for.

Related Links:
Bézèd'h's Website
Les Illumines on Jamendo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License and is available as a free download from Jamendo.com.

Calling out all rockers! Relive the era of 90's rock by listening to this modern day Indie Rock band called 9Lies – a great band with an interesting name. Their album, "Behind It All," was made available for digital download on July 23, 2007 and is licensed under Creative Commons. The album contains 3 demo songs that will surely make listeners rock like they never did before.

9Lies is a band composed of 5 talented beings, Steve Mann (vocals), Dave Kernohan (guitars), Nick Black (guitars), Chris Cardwell (bass), and Stephen McAuley (drums). The combination of strong 90’s beat and modern rock guitar riffs made this band stand out among the others. The familiarity of their sound is going to be their key to reach out to the old and new generation of rock lovers.

“Behind It All” is also the carrier single of this album. The sound of classic rock with great guitar riffs. Just like typical rock songs in our modern time, “Behind It All” album has very expressive lyrics. One thing that made this piece of art stands out among other rock albums? It’s definitely their upbeat tempo and melodic rock sound – a perfect background for anything and everything. That’s why, I’m pretty sure young and old rock fans will love this. This album also includes “Slippin Away” and “Bilnd.”

As of today, 9Lies made a lot of appearances around Europe and the continental US. You may never know, you might have listened to their songs, but just don’t know who these amazing musicians are. Thanks to their efforts of making “Behind It All” available for download, music lovers will be able to listen to them for free.

Related Links:
9Lies' Official Website
9Lies on Myspace
Follow 9Lies on Twitter

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License and is available for free download from Jamendo.com

WM Recordings have put up a number of worthy artists for the past five years releasing only free albums and all under Creative Commons license. They celebrate the label's 5th birthday, 100 free albums and nearly 1000 free tracks with the release of their 100th album. WM x 100 / 100 x WM is even more special because it's a compilation album filled with a wide array of genres and recorded by musicians from all over the world. We see it as a sort of a tribute to WM Recordings - the net label that proved that free music is good music and should be shared.

WM Recordings do not simply feature a certain genre in their every album - they share a mixed variety of different genres which are sure to be liked by just about anyone.

They released WM x 100 / 100 x WM on November 7, 2009 - exactly 5 years after they have established the net label. They have shared almost 1000 tracks from artist all over the world, with a great variety of genres and remixes, and the thought of giving away free and legal music to all people around the world.

The album has various sounds from Afrobeat to Progressive Rock, to Pop and Free Jazz. Moreover, the 100th album is not dedicated to one genre or to one geographical location - all artists come from all over the world, adding a special touch to their 100th compilation.

One nice thing about this album is that you do not know what is in store for you. Once you put your music player in shuffle and pop in this album, you do not know what kind of experience would the next song give you. Take Century of Aeroplanes' You Like Woody Allen? Studio Haen Remix; at the sound of it, you might say it is some kind of club music inspired by Woody Allen. On the other hand, you would find yourself drifting off into some kind of weird hypnotizing poem which is quite amusing.

Support free music by supporting WM Recordings, and you'd have good, free, and legal music in return for it.

Tracks:
01. Happy Elf - Online
02. daghoti. - Lars don't like it
03. Dj Tôh - Drops [Studio Haen Remix]
04. Lee Rosevere - Plane Planet
05. Datapanik - Spil [Studio Haen Remix]
06. Keshco - Coma
07. Lanark - Anachoret
08. Gorowski - Mondo's Disco [Studio Haen Remix]
09. Century of Aeroplanes - You Like Woody Allen? [Studio Haen Remix]
10. Meanwhileproject.ltd - Open Source (STB)_vs_1
11. Vernon LeNoir - Another Glass Of Melonade
12. Nambavan - Live [Studio Haen Remix]
13. Sick To The Back Teeth - Fear Of Water
14. Jan Turkenburg - Hundred
15. René Vis - Music For Free

Bonus: Happy Elf - Online [VIDEO]

Related Links:
WM100 on WM Recordings
WM Recordings Website
WM100 on LegalTorrents
WM100 on Archive.org
WM Recordings on Last.fm

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.