Free MP3 Albums: Sound Sunday - March 13th Edition
Sound Sunday: A Weekly Music Roundup
Greetings and welcome to this week’s installment of Sound Sunday. Prepare to discover a diverse collection of musical styles, encompassing soul, captivating melodies, compelling beats, and rock influences, alongside some truly unexpected sonic experiences.
Featured Albums This Week
Among the most innovative and remarkable releases this week is Gospel by The Schomberg Fair. This album is a standout, offering a unique and compelling listening experience.
Science Within Reason, an album crafted by B.Lewis, also deserves significant attention. It represents a particularly favored selection within this week’s compilation.
The musical landscape is further enriched by the inclusion of Ashelyn Summers, an exceptionally talented female vocalist. Her contribution adds another layer of depth to this already fascinating mix.
A Diverse and Engaging Selection
The curation of this week’s Sound Sunday aims to present a truly captivating and varied selection of music. It is hoped that listeners will find the blend of genres and artists to be thoroughly enjoyable.
What album has captured your attention the most? We encourage you to share your opinions and reactions in the comments section below.
Share Your Feedback
Your thoughts are valuable! Feel free to send your feedback and suggestions directly via email to [tina at makeuseof dot com].
Now, it’s time to unwind, find a comfortable spot, and immerse yourself in the world of music!
Steven A. Clark - Stripes
Genre: indie, alternative, rhythm & soul, hip hop
Stripes represents a musically rich album, heavily influenced by rhythm and soul elements. The artist, Steven A. Clark, draws clear inspiration from the music his mother played during his youth.
Artists like Boyz II Men, Tracy Chapman, and Stevie Wonder were frequently played, and their impact is evident in Clark’s sound.
Early Influences and Inspiration
However, the impetus to begin songwriting came later. Specifically, Nas and N.E.R.D.’s 2002 album, In Search Of..., proved to be a pivotal source of inspiration.
This debut album sparked Clark’s creative process and set him on his path as a musician.
Availability
Stripes is available for free download via Bandcamp.
For those seeking an alternative download location, a backup copy can also be found on Mediafire.
Stripes offers a unique blend of genres and showcases Clark’s diverse musical influences.
Rock Well 9000 – Experiencing “It’s a Good Life”
Genre: instrumental, scratch, hip hop
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Rock Well 9000 is a DJ who has been actively involved in the music scene for four years. His experience includes supporting acts as an opening DJ and hosting meet-and-greet events for a diverse range of artists.
It's a Good Life represents Rock Well 9000’s contribution to the instrumental hip hop landscape, showcasing a collection of compelling and well-crafted beats.
This album, It's a Good Life, is readily available as a free download through the Bandcamp platform.
B.Lewis - Science Within Reason
Genre: experimental, soul, ambient, hip hop
This week’s Sound Sunday feature isn’t exclusively focused on hip hop, despite appearances. Science Within Reason is a remarkable 30-track album blending hip hop rhythms, soulful vocal arrangements, captivating melodies, influences from video game soundtracks, and immersive ambient textures.
The majority of the music is instrumental in nature. Traditional rap verses are present in just two of the album’s tracks.
Science Within Reason can be downloaded without cost from Bandcamp. If the complimentary downloads are unavailable, the album is also accessible via Mediafire.
Mark Schottinger: An Exploration of Self-Produced Music
Genre: folk, blues, rock
A certain air of enigma surrounds Mark Schottinger, enhanced by his signature black Ray-Ban sunglasses. However, his intriguing persona extends beyond mere appearance.
Mark is a multifaceted individual – a singer-songwriter pursuing legal studies while simultaneously working as a parking lot attendant.
Notably, he gained recognition through his appearance in the critically acclaimed 2010 documentary, The Parking Lot Movie.
The tracks comprising his 'homemade' album were composed over a two-year period, spanning from 2006 to 2008.
Interestingly, while primarily categorized within folk, blues, and rock, Schottinger playfully includes hip hop as a genre influence.
Homemade Music is readily available as a complimentary download from Bandcamp.
The Evidence - Polarity
Genre: alternative, progressive, punk, rock
The Evidence is identified as a progressive nerd punk ensemble, distinguished by an unusual arrangement: the vocalist also performs on drums. This trio originated in Calgary, Alberta, during the latter part of 2000.
According to descriptions, the band members are products of the area’s punk rock culture, evolving towards a sound that merges the accessible rock elements of bands like AFI, Bad Religion, and the Foo Fighters with the intricate and expansive qualities found in progressive rock groups such as Rush and Queen.
The album, Polarity, is available as a pay-what-you-want download through Bandcamp.
Casper & the Cookies - Ice Mattress
Genre: experimental, powerpop, rock
About the Album
Casper & the Cookies present a unique sound, defying easy categorization. Their press materials encourage listeners to approach their music without prior expectations.
It's suggested that prior associations with former band affiliations, such as Jason’s work with of Montreal, should be set aside.
Live Performances & Aesthetic
Reports of their live shows featuring elaborate visuals, including fake eyelashes, are noted. However, the band emphasizes the importance of experiencing them independently.
To fully appreciate Casper & the Cookies, one must engage with their music on its own merits. Failure to do so risks overlooking genuinely innovative pop compositions.
Musical Style & Influences
Over three albums, the band, hailing from Athens, GA, has cultivated a distinctive aesthetic. This style is described as a complex blend of memorable melodies and unexpected production choices.
Their music draws upon the history of popular music, offering a fresh perspective. Fans of artists like XTC and Elvis Costello, known for their ambitious songwriting and strong melodic sense, may find common ground here.
Casper & the Cookies deliver music that prioritizes both catchiness and artistic depth, avoiding the pitfall of sacrificing one for the other.
Meet Me At The Pub - Tall Can Wednesday
Genre: reggae, ska, surf
Veice Beach, California’s Meet Me At The Pub is providing all of their previously released music at no cost. This offer coincides with the promotion of their tour scheduled for April and May.
Free Album Release
Included in this free release is their 2009 album, Tall Can Wednesday. The band has a long history, having formed in 1999 and performed in excess of 1,500 shows.
Their musical journey began at the Malibu Inn, where they established a regular Monday night performance schedule.
Available Downloads
Listeners can obtain Tall Can Wednesday, along with the albums Monday Night and Exclusive Trax, through Music Bailout. These albums are available for free download.
The Schomberg Fair - Gospel
Genre: bluegrass, blues, rock, gospel, folk, punk, roots music.
The band, The Schomberg Fair – comprised of Pete, Matt, and Nate – describes itself on Facebook as “three handsome assholes.” They’ve been captivating audiences with their distinctive style since 2006.
Their sound is characterized as a unique blend of Speed-Gospel, Folk-Punk, and energetic live shows.
Band Origins
The group emphasizes their authentic roots, originating from the small, rural farming community of Schomberg, Ontario.
They differentiate themselves from urban-based acts claiming similar genres, asserting their genuine connection to folk, country, and blues traditions.
Album Information
Gospel is available as a complimentary download from Bandcamp.
This release showcases their signature sound and energetic performance style.
Listeners can access the album directly through the Bandcamp platform.
Pornopop - ...and the slow songs about the dead calm in your arms
Genre: electronic, rock, pop
Pornopop consists of Icelandic siblings, Pétur and Ágúst Einarsson. Their origins are rooted in humble beginnings, as detailed on their Ching Ching Bling Bling record label page.
In 1996, the brothers commenced their musical collaboration within their parents’ basement. They utilized a Roland drum machine to create initial tracks.
Shortly thereafter, they transitioned to late-night recording sessions across various studios in Reykjavík.
Seven years following their initial work, Pornopop completed their second album, ...and the slow songs about the dead calm in your arms.
This time, recording took place in a studio belonging to Arnar Helgi Aðalsteinsson, a member of the IDM/experimental group Plat.
The band dedicated considerable time to sonic experimentation, exploring diverse musical avenues and effects. This intensive process challenged their sound engineer.
Their relentless pursuit of the ideal atmosphere to complement the album’s artistic vision spanned two years, with intermittent recording sessions.
Free downloads of the album are restricted to 200 copies. Acquire the album promptly to avoid missing out!
...and the slow songs about the dead calm in your arms is available for free download from Bandcamp.
Ashelyn Summers - selftitled
Genre: pop, rock, piano, acoustic
Hailing from Orange County, California, Ashelyn Summers is a singer and songwriter crafting a unique sound. Her musical style blends the sophistication of classical instrumentation with the energy of contemporary rock music.
A compelling vocal performance underpins her compositions. Summers is currently preparing for the release of her debut album, scheduled for May of this year.
In anticipation of the album launch, she is making a single available for free download each month. To date, ten singles have been released.
Listeners can explore multiple versions of each track on Bandcamp. However, the complimentary downloads are exclusively offered through Noise Trade.
Free Album Download
The complete, selftitled album by Ashelyn Summers is available for free download from NoiseTrade.
Sound Sunday Series
If you are new to Sound Sunday, previous installments can be found here.
Share Your Thoughts
Suggestions, feedback, or free music submissions are welcome. Please contact me at [tina at makeuseof dot com].
Alternatively, you can share your thoughts and comments directly below.