Free Music Friday #85: New Year Resolutions

Despite my best intentions, I completely failed to honour at least one of my New Year resolutions; namely, make at least two Feedback posts a week. Here we are, over a fortnight into 2011 and I'm making my first post of the year - a free download Friday, and it's late! Will try to do better next week.

However, to make up for it, I'm not just linking to a free track this week. I'm not even just linking to a free album but four free albums and some video! (Well technically, one is a triple album but it's still four CDs worth of music!)

Thank you and goodnight!

Originally uploaded by DavidDMuir

I have linked to Dream Theater related stuff before and they are a band that has grown on me since I saw them in concert a few years ago. I read with some concern therefore when I read that Mike Portnoy, drummer/lyricist/founding member/backing vocalist..., was leaving in what appears to be {understatement alert} not entirely happy circumstances! Mike is an outstandingly good drummer but with his umpteen side-projects and other commitments, perhaps he was spreading himself too thin. I think, however, that Dream Theater should be able to keep going and growing and I am sure we will continue to see and hear Mike's work here, there and everywhere. What I really hope though is that a few years down the line, Dream Theater and Mike Portnoy will sort things out and get back together again.

Anyway, to acknowledge the genius that is Mr Portnoy, here is a link to a multimedia extravaganza that is described as follows:

"Independent musicians, graphic artists, and a computer graphics demogroup have collaborated on a grand scale multimedia tribute to Mike Portnoy,in celebration of over a quarter of a century of highly influential musicianship."

The project is called Honor Thy Drummer and what you get (among other things) is three albums worth of music from artists that have collaborated with, or have benefitted in some way from association with Mike. As is to be expected, it is mostly in the Metal genre, but with a definite tendency to the Progressive end of the spectrum - just the way I like it!

And if that isn't enough for you, I also have a link to a sampler disk that includes a free track from Dream Theater featuring Mr Portnoy. The Roadrunner Records Amazon Sampler has twelve tracks for free download. (Oddly, individual tracks are listed with a cost but if you click to download the whole album, it is added to your basket at a cost of £0.00.) Many of the tracks are a bit too Wooorrrarrgh for my taste but some of the tracks, including the one from Dream Theater are great. (And sorry Jeff, not sure if this is UK Amazon only.)

So there you are. Plenty to keep you going even if it is a fortnight before my next post. Let me know what you think of the tracks. Which is your favourite?

Free Download Friday #64: Return to Roadrunner Records

After seeing Cohheed And Cambria at Rock Radio's Secret Session, I decided to see if I could track down any free music for download. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything from them. However, since they are with Roadrunner Records in the UK, I found my way to Roadrunner Records in the USA where, as usual, there was some good stuff available.

Claudio

Originally uploaded by DavidDMuir

It is a while since I visited Roadrunner Records (see Free Download Friday #44) and I thought it was interesting that I now own CDs that contain many of the tracks they are offering as free downloads. As I've often said, giving a track away free is a great way to generate interest and (probably) sales. It has certainly worked on me. I suspect I wouldn't have half the Roadrunner product I have if they hadn't given me a taste of their bands on the USA site.

So, in alphabetical order, here are the downloads currently on offer that caught my eye. Some I have already and some are new to me but I think all are interesting:

• Airbourne - No Way But The Hard Way: I thoroughly enjoyed the Airbourne gig in Glasgow recently and if you haven't heard them already, this track gives a pretty good indication of what they are about.
• Blackstone Cherry - Soulcreek: Southern Rock done in a classic style by a band of young whippersnappers. Excellent stuff.
• Dommin - My Heart, Your Hands: When I reviewed the Dommin Secret Session, I used the video of this track and now you can download it for free.
• Dream Theater - A Rite Of Passage: Another band I saw in concert thanks to Rock Radio!
• Parlor Mob - Everything You're Breathing For: There's a bit of a retro feel to this lot and I really like this track. Moments of restraint interspersed with noise and mayhem!

So, that's my picks. Have I missed any? What would you recommend.

Dream Theater Competition

I told you about the free download of the Dream Theater track in I know it's not Friday.... It was only available from the Roadrunner Records site for twenty-four hours but last night I got an email encouraging me to pass it on. They are want everyone who gets a copy of the track to add a pin to a map saying where they live. Everyone who puts a pin in the map is entered into a competition to win CDs and other goodies. They say:

To enter the competition click on the image below and pin where in the UK you're from. Then help spread some ‘Black Clouds & Silver Linings’ by sending the track to as many of your friends and asking them to add their location/details as well.

We will then put all the people that have “pinned” the map into a prize draw.

So if you missed the twenty-four hour download period but want a copy. Let me know and I'll send you the track. And if you want to enter a competition to win a bucket load of prizes, go to the map and add your pin.

I know it's not Friday...

Download a full track, A Rite Of Passage, from the new Dream Theater album. (And have a snigger at Mike's blue beard while you are there.)

This one only lasts 24 hours (less now because it's already about halfway through) so go... now!