Free Music: SXSW, SPIN & LSTN #13!

I realize that it has been a while since I have posted anything (8 months to be exact) but don’t worry I am still alive, and well. Though I was pretty much 100% positive that I would no longer be running this blog, I had a change of heart, and well now I AM posting again. Don’t expect too much from me now that I am a full-time college student but I am hoping to do at least 3 posts a week. Well, I’m tired of explaining myself so let’s jump right back into full swing with some FREE MUSIC!

iTunes is giving away 21 tracks from some of the up and coming artists participating in this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW). Bands include: Dom, The Civil Wars, Glasser, Le Butcherettes, Toro y Moi & more. Download the Featured Artist of SXSW playlist HERE (Requires iTunes). Not sure when this expires, but it most likely will SOON, so get it while you still can!

Urban Outfitters is offering 25 FREE tracks for download in their 13th edition of their ongoing LSTN series. Artists include: Tennis, Mogwai, Papercuts, Arcade Fire, Dodos, Puro Instinct & more. Download the complete playlist HERE

Offer expires 6/30/11

Spin has 19 free songs up for grabs from the magazine’s March issue. Bands include: Smith Westerns, Tame Impala, Bright Eyes, MNDR, Cut Copy, & many more! Get the entire March playlist HERE
Offer expires 3/31/11

Previews: Chiodos

Post-hardcore act Chiodos, have posted the first new song from their upcoming full-length, Illuminaudio, via the band’s Myspace page

Illuminaudio is a follow up to their sophomore album, 2007’s Bone Palace Ballet and also the first record to feature new vocalist Brandon Bolmer.

Listen to  the new track "Those Who Slay Together, Stay Together" via MySpace and be sure to buy Illuminaudio when it drops into stores October 5, 2010

Girls with Guns: ‘Sucker Punch’ Trailer

A trailer for Zack Snyder’s (Watchmen, 300) latest film, Sucker Punch has been unveiled.

The film stars Emily Browning and Vanessa Hudgens in a story about a girl who must escape a mental institution. Her imagination runs wild and the result of this alternate reality is an adventure filled with samurais, dragons, guns, and tons of action.

This first trailer has already got me EXCITED. While this has potential to just be another popcorn flick I think I will enjoy it none the less. Stay tuned for more Sucker Punch news and watch the movie when it hits theaters March 25, 2011.

Watch the pulse pounding trailer after the jump.

Reviews: Summer of Arcade Pt. 1 & 2

Each summer Microsoft brings the hottest new Xbox Live Arcade blockbuster hits of the season. This year is no different, make no mistake this is one scorching summer, the Summer of Arcade!

Over a 5 week span new games will be available every Wednesday. The 5 games included in the Summer of Arcade are Limbo, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Castlevania Harmony of Despair, Monday Night Combat, and Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.

While all of these games look amazing they are also all in the $15 price range (1200 MS points) and I DON’T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY to waste. This is when free trials and reviews come in handy. So far only two games have been released so let’s get this started.

Check out the video reviews for SOA’s first 2 releases after the jump.

Streams: Major Lazer

A streaming version of Major Lazer’s new five track EP, Lazers Never Die has been released via the duo’s MySpace page.

Over the past two weeks I have been completely obsessed with Major Lazer, a reggae/electro act consisting of DJs Diplo & Switch. The EP is a follow up to 2009’s Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do.

The Major also recently released a summer mix called Lazerproof that can be downloaded HERE.

Listen to Lazers Never Die via Myspace

(Note: for some reason the last 2 tracks aren’t working but I suppose that should be fixed soon)

Inside Look: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

I honestly do not “look forward” to a lot of things, especially when it comes to movies…BUT I am HELLA excited for the upcoming comic book based film, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

Really the comics are great, the script (from what I can tell from the trailers) seems pretty accurate if only a little shorter considering they have to somehow combine SIX (rather lengthy comics) into ONE movie. But WHO CARES!

A recent featurette to promote the film offers a sneak peek of the movie's characters, plot, and style. It also includes commentary from writer/director Edgar Wright, Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona Flowers).

Hit the jump for an inside look at Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Previews: Metroid - Other M

The Games Radar staff recently got to step into Samus’ new suite when they played the latest game in the Metroid series, Metroid: Other M.

The game was featured in my Epic Games of E3 2010 post but if you absolutely have no idea what I am talking about, this should be a great recap: From the same team that created the Ninja Gaiden series brings the darkest Metroid game yet to the Wii. It meshes together elements of traditional Metroid gameplay and also incorporates a first person perspective.

So how will this game stand compared to its predecessors? Will it be able to seamlessly combine third person and first person perspectives? Can it bridge the gap between hardcore gamers and the casual players? But most importantly will it be FUN? You will just have to find out when you read the full article over at Games Radar.com

You can pick up Metroid: Other M and play it in all of its video game glory when the game launches August 31, 2010.

Image via IGN

iTunes Deals: Albums from the 90’s

Do you remember being a teenager full of angst and confusion? Sitting in your room listening to the radio all day and jamming the hottest albums on your brand new portable CD player? Well I DO (maybe it wasn’t quite like that but close enough).

iTunes latest deal features all of the legendary tuneage from the 90’s for the low price of $7.99.

Bands featured in the collection include: Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, Nirvana, Sublime, Green Day, Weezer, Pearl Jam, The Offspring, Red Hot Chili Peppers and tons of other great artist. Also included are a few Various Artists compilation albums so be sure to check those out as well.

Re-live the 90’s by purchasing some of the most memorable albums of the decade directly from iTunes

Image: Grunge pioneers Nirvana

Tours: Gorillaz (North America)

This fall Damon Albarn's animated group the Gorillaz will be hitting the road for a headlining tour across North America.

The band recently dropped their latest album, Plastic Beach which received rave reviews across the board for its great variety and cameos from an ample amount of artists including Mos Def, Lou Reed, De La Soul, and Snoop Dog.

The band doesn’t tour very often, most likely because it is such a huge project. Their recent performance at Coachella had the band playing with 15 or more members on stage at once. If you are a fan of the band MAKE SURE you don’t miss this opportunity.

Complete list of North American tour dates after the jump.

‘Tron: Legacy’ Theatrical Trailer Arrives Online

The first theatrical trailer for Tron: Legacy was premiered at Comic Con 2010 in San Diego.

While it was only released a short time ago the trailer is quickly making its rounds on the internet and finally offers up some plot details for the upcoming film.

Clu, a program created by Kevin Flynn which was used to fight against the Master Control Program in the original Tron film, has been causing chaos in the ENCOM computer system. Now, Kevin’s son Sean Flynn must rescue his missing father and fight against the evil computer program Clu.

Watch the brand new, neon filled trailer after the jump.