What better way to expose people to new music than to actually let them listen to it. In terms of creating a podcast, this is still all new, but I thought it was worth trying out. This first podcast is more like a mixtape than a radio show so don’t expect a lot of talking, just a lot of good music.

iTunes Link

Track Listing

1) The Gallery – “Love Fell Through”
2) The Enemy Lovers – “Feel It”
3) Milktooth – “Your Arrows”
4) Zach Williams – “Fears”
5) Shawn Fisher – “Open Your Eyes”
6) Jonas Sees In Color – “Avalanche”
7) Concerning Lions – “Canon”

[As of this posting if you subscribe in iTunes you get the updated mp3 file, if you just download with out subscribing the podcast comes up with the 'explicit' tag. I assure you that is only a labeling error.]

Remember Danyew? We did an interview with him earlier this year. He has released 2 EP’s this year and is currently on tour with Seabird and David Crowder Band. All of this to say that he is iTunes’ discovery download this week which means that “Wake Up” from the newesly released ‘Wake Up’ EP is a free download.

Those who are fans of Leeland or The Glorious Unseen will definitely want to check out Danyew.

iTunes link to free download

Granted adding a camera to the nano, adding some storage and chopping a few bucks from the prices isn’t that exciting, but a new version of iTunes definitely took the cake as far as excitement goes.

In addition to the new features, the music store has been completely been redone making it, hopefully, easier to browse and find music. Among the new features are “LP’s” which include lyrics and photos, Genius Mixes, which provide better automatic play lists, but beyond anything the best thing that isn’t listed anywhere? The ability to play a 30 second clip and move to another page in iTunes and it keep playing.

You can read about the rest of the features here.

Any thoughts?

Well it appears from different sources that people are finding Microsoft’s new MixView (which is part of the Zune 3.0 software) performs and looks much better than Apple’s new iTunes Genius feature.

“Microsoft has come up with a much better way to expand your musical horizons than Apple iTunes 8’s Genius in their new Zune software: MixView. Not only is MixView much prettier and more fun than Genius but it’s also more useful, more informative, and it leverages the infamous social aspect of Zune in a beautiful way. In fact, it makes Genius look like a flat, gray, boring Windows application.”

Link to article

The Morning Benders are this week’s editors choice on iTunes and their newest album, ‘Talking Through Tin Cans’ is only $5.99.

Note: link opens iTunes program

The Wombats song “Let’s Dance To Joy Division” is a catchy number and is the free single this week on iTunes. Great song which may make you want to buy the album.

Note: link opens iTunes program

The possiblities for post titles using the band name ‘We Shot The Moon’ are endless and even though probably getting old, bring a slight grin to my face each time. Nevertheless you can get the new album from the band, ‘Fear And Love’ for the cheap at iTunes ($5.99).

Note: link opens iTunes program

There are a few different version of ‘Underdog Alma Mater’ that will be available through different stores.

Best Buy Version:
1. “Hurricane Haley”
2. “Give & Take Remix”

iTunes Version:
1. “Indiana”
2. “Becky Starz Remix”

(more…)

You can now preorder Forever The Sickest Kids new album ‘Underdog Alma Mater’ for $7.99 from iTunes which includes 2 bonus tracks.

You can also preorder The Kooks new album ‘Konk’ as well as The Weepies new album, ‘Hideaway’.

iTunes preorder page with all the albums

iTunes is having a sale for artists they think will be “the next big thing”. Some artists we have recommended in the past have made the list and are definitely worth picking up for $5.99 and $6.99.

* We The Kings – Self Titled $5.99
* The New Frontiers – Mending $5.99 (also on Amazon for same price)
* Yoav – Charmed And Strange $5.99

Note: Link opens iTunes

Just a quick heads up if you didn’t catch it yesterday. We Shot The Moon’s new album ‘Fear and Love’ will be in stores everywhere on April 29th but it was released digitally on iTunes and Amazonmp3.com yesterday (4/1).

The free single this week on iTunes is, “Lights & Music” from electronic indie band Cut Copy.

Note: Link Opens iTunes

This may be old news but either way you can now buy the radio singles from upcoming releases on iTunes with the albums coming out later.

Artist and song which is available

* Pillar – For The Love of The Game
* Stellar Kart – Jesus Loves You
* Counting Crows – You Can’t Count On Me

Here is something you don’t even have to think about. Go to iTunes and download the free song from We The Kings. You loose nothing and will probably end up loving the band.

Free Song Link

“Snake Devil” From Scary Kids Scaring Kids is the free single of the week on iTunes.