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HDtracks: Why settle for iTunes now that you can get CD quality music downloads?

Even hardcore audiophiles have to face the music--brick and mortar record stores are fading fast--and it's starting to look like the CD is on its way out. Sure, no card carrying audiophile would be caught dead downloading MP3s or iTunes, the sonic sacrifices are too drastic. Well, what if there was a site that offered bona fide CD quality downloads, would audiophiles go for it? That's HDtracks' prime directive, but I don't think the high-resolution download store is just for audiophiles.

Then again I never understood why anyone would pay more or less the same price for … Read more

Zion I, 'Luv': Free MP3 of the Day

Bay Area-based Zion I pumps up energy levels with potent beats and punctual rhymes. High-grade production by Amp Live comes in assorted flavors, all of which are ultra-crisp, clean, and chunky. MC Zion commands your attention with a steady stream of politically seasoned rhymes and plenty of charisma. With songs like these, the duo's stock continues to shoot through the roof.

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The Futureheads, 'Broke Up the Time': Free MP3 of the Day

U.K. indie-styled rockers give a nod to a tradition of melodic crooning and gritty guitars and the result is the enticing sound of Futureheads. These lads strut into the dance party and shamelessly flirt with Britpop by employing a lyrically driven sound surrounded by dirty guitar work. If the Strokes intermarried with Interpol, these bandmates--who've obviously graduating with honors from the school of sexy--could be their prodigal offspring.

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Aimee Mann, 'Thirty One Today': Free MP3 of the Day

Since emerging in the '80s as the voice of 'Til Tuesday, and following that with a series of thoughtful, introspective solo albums, Aimee Mann has maintained her high status as a thoroughly engaging and accomplished singer-songwriter. Her songs carry the weight of complex emotions, yet they never get bogged down in too much sentimentality.

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Anna Ternheim, 'To Be Gone': Free MP3 of the Day

Stockholm is keeping us stocked up on stellar indie pop, from Peter Moren to Victoria Bergsman to Jens Lekman (OK, he's out of Gothenburg). Ternheim is the latest smashing Swede. "Halfway to Fivepoints" is a haunting set run on reedy instrumentals and slinky vocals.

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Radiohead, 'Nude (Holy F**k Remix)': Free MP3 of the Day

Radiohead's new material fits nicely in the post-"Amnesiac" era, where electronics are key but not the focus. They've pushed the envelop even further by launching their "create you own Nude remix" website. Holy F**k's version is the most popular one so far.

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Desert tunes: Death Cab For Cutie, Portishead, Jack Johnson

This week, tens of thousands of alt-music junkies are fleeing to the desert to take part in the hottest event around: the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. And when we say "hottest" we mean both temperature hot and, yes, sexy hot, as well. We're impressed with the headliners, such as Portishead , Death Cab For Cutie, Jack Johnson, but we're even more down with the bands in the small print, too, such as Little Brother, Jens Lekman, and Modeselektor.

We're not actually going to Coachella (bummer), but we will be celebrating virtually via the playlist … Read more

Emmanual Jal, 'Warchild': Free MP3 of the Day

Jal's stunning debut, "Warchild," describes a horrific youth spent in forced military service in Sudan--difficult subject matter, to say the least, that Jal and producer Neal Pogue have admirably converted to engaging rap. This is hip-hop at its most elemental: tough stories made visceral.

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Killer Download: Top MP3 apps not named iTunes or WMP

When it comes to software media players, computer users understandably follow what I'll call the "path of least resistance" rule of life: they use what's available on their computer out of the box. If you're a Windows user, that means Windows Media Player. Mac users have iTunes. Once Windows users take the step of adding their iPod (if that's their chosen player) into the fray, they will likely download iTunes to make it easy. But what if you don't like iTunes or Windows Media Player?

Before companies tied their portable players to their … Read more

M83, 'We Own the Sky (Maps remix)': Free MP3 of the Day

"Saturdays = Youth" is Anthony Gonzalez's vision of adolescent optimism, and the sonic shift for M83 might be described as frowns getting turned upside down. Synths that were once muddy have become translucent; formerly tetchy beats are now bubbly and hopeful. It's giddiness we're glad to buy into.

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