Altered Freebies: Bright Eyes; Oh Land; James Vincent McMorrow

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Bright Eyes, “Shell Games”
Conor Oberst returns with the long-awaited, possibly-last album under his alter ego. Those who may have gotten over Bright Eyes might want to give him another try this go 'round.

Oh Land, “EP”
A friend sent me the Oh Land EP after meeting her at CMJ. Since then, MTVU won't stop playing her videos. Now, it's not a free download, the site displays the whole EP for streaming purposes. Each song features a different video so you may want to get off your iPhone to enjoy the full experience.

James Vincent McMorrow, “If I Had A Boat”
In theme with WTMD's 500 Desert Island songs, this one is a pretty literal pick. If you're not familiar with James, his album should hold you over until the release of the new Fleet Foxes LP. Grab this one for those cold winter nights.

Altered Freebies: Tapes 'n Tapes; Kanye West; Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.; Smith Westerns

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Tapes 'n Tapes, “Freak Out”
There is a new album coming from Tapes 'n Tapes on January 11 (1/11/11!) and they're passing out the new single fo' free.

Kanye West, G.O.O.D. Fridays
Kanye West has been releasing a new song every Friday for the past few months. The collection can be downloaded for free at Kanye's website. There are some legendary collaborations on there so grab them while you can.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., “Vocal Chords (Diego and Dissidents Remix)”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. have been making a name for themselves and have released a remix EP, featuring their songs "Vocal Chords" and "Nothing But Our Love". It’s a great tune to get the weekend on its way.

Stream me!

Smith Westerns, “Weekends”
Over the last month, a lot of musicians have become fans of this band, for good reason. Though you won't be able to throw this on your iPod, you can enjoy it's streaminess until the record is released in January.

Altered Freebies: Black Mountain; White Denim; British Sea Power

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Black Mountain, “The Hair Song”{via Jagjaguwar}
One of the latest jams getting spun on WTMD. It's like a breath of fresh 90s air.

White Denim, Last Day of Summer EP
This is an EP with 12 songs making it more like a full-length EP, if that can exist. Either way, it's free and has some jams. Go grab it!

British Sea Power, “Zeus”
Great opening track from an upcoming EP from British Sea Power, released on Tuesday, October 4th. Grab it below!

Hoots and Hellmouth Close Out First Thursday

This year's final, free First Thursday Concert on October 7th will get you on your feet with the raucous music of Hoots and Hellmouth. The Philadelphia-based band infuses a punk-rock energy to the traditional string band, showcasing fleet picking, soulful three-part harmonies, and heavy foot stomping. 

Baltimore's own The Herd of Main Street kick off the show at 5:30 p.m. with their new take on classic country.

Start the party early with two free downloads: 
"What Good are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords?"
by Hoots and Hellmouth

"Alabama Joe," by The Herd of Main Street 

Just look for the monument and listen for the music!

Altered Freebies: Belle & Sebastian; Sufjan Stevens; Crocodiles

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Belle & Sebastian, “Write About Love”

Belle & Sebastian return with a great new track off their upcoming Belle & Sebastian Write About Love. The album is set to be released October 11, but you can grab their first single, “Write About Love” below. You do have to be one of the first 10,000 to sign up for their mailing list in order to get the mp3, so hurry!

Sufjan Stevens, “I Walked”/“Too Much”

The Age of Adz (pronounced odds) will be Mr. Steven's first full-length in five years. Here is a taste to hold you over until its release on October 21st. Stick around on the second track, the best stuff is later in the song. Grab them both below.

Crocodiles, Fires of Comparison EP

Before they release their full length album next week, Crocodiles have posted a free EP via their label. If you aren't familiar with Joe Arpaio, the opening track is dedicated to him.

Altered Freebies: The Apples In Stereo; Eels; The Love Language

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

The Apples In Stereo, “Dance Floor”
We have been playing this song for a few months now, but definitely one that should be in your collection. Napolean Dynamite would totally get down to "Dance Floor".

Eels, “Looking Up”
So, this song came as a surprise the first time I hit play. I was thinking it would be closer to "Spectacular Girl" or "Baby Loves Me", both off their new album Tomorrow Morning, out August 24th. Instead, a soulful, get-up-and-shake-it song came pumping out of my stereo. This is the type of song you would throw a quarter into the jukebox mounted next to your table at a diner and get down in your booth while waiting for potato skins and an omelet.

This new album is shaping up to be a great one. You can preorder it at eelstheband.com.

The Love Language, “Heart To Tell”
The Love Language throw together a reason to break out your poodle skirts with "Heart To Tell". Their album Libraries it out now on Merge Records. Head over there to stream the whole record (and pick up a copy!).
{via Paste}

Altered Freebies: Deerhunter; Apache Beat; Free Energy

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.


Deerhunter, “Revival”
"Revival" is a great first taste of the direction Deerhunter are taking their next album. Great tune for shucking corn. {via P4K}


Apache Beat, “Another Day”
Now, if you don't like this song at first, give it some time since Apache Beat decides to change it up halfway through “Another Day”. This song will appear on their upcoming, and awesomely titled album, Last Chants.


Free Energy, “All I Know”If you haven't had a chance to check out Philadelphia-based Free Energy, join the cool kids and do so now. Their album was produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and went on tour with Jukebox The Ghost earlier this year. Expect to hear more of these guys.

Altered Freebies: Cut Copy; Ra Ra Riot; !!!; Jenny and Johnny; Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Cut Copy, "Where I'm Going"

The first single from the Australian dance rock band's fourth album channels New Order and The Beach Boys in equal measure.

Ra Ra Riot, "Boy"

Ra Ra Riot's first album was made shortly after the death of their original drummer, John Ryan Pyke. The band's mournful mood has lifted on "Boy," coming from their sophomore release, The Orchard.

!!!, "AM/FM"

!!! get in touch with the spirit of '80s radio culture with this danceable number from their new album, Strange Weather, Isn't It?

Jenny and Johnny, "Scissor Runner"

Is it the British Invasion? No, it's Jenny Lewis and her boytoy Jonathan Rice making adorable music together.

Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, "Sink/Let It Sway"

They apparently still love you early '70s power pop. Dig those handclaps!
(via Stereogum)

Altered Freebies: Blonde Redhead; Jukebox The Ghost; Best Coast

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Blonde Redhead, "Here Sometimes"

Blonde Redhead returns with a new song off their upcoming album Penny Sparkle, set for release in September. By the sound of it, this album will be a nice lead-in to fall.


Jukebox The Ghost, "Empire"

WTMD favorites Jukebox The Ghost have finished their sophomore LP, Everything Under The Sun and are treating us to the first single off it. It's fun, quirky, and it's sure to please.

You may remember them performing this song when they were on Morning Sessions last year...

Best Coast, "Boyfriend"

Best Coast creates a fun little jingle for those summer crushes that you'll find during these hot days down at the beach. More will be available on their Crazy For You release, due out July 27th.

Vote Wilco

As Wilco prepares for a tour with Neil Young--as well as a sold-out, headlining show at the Lyric Opera House on December 14th--Jeff Tweedy and company are hitting the polls and handing out free downloads to promote everyone's civic duty.

Stop by Wilco's voting page to pick up a free download of the Wilco and Fleet Foxes' cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." And then send them photos of your polling place for an upcoming web feature.