Man of Steel, TShirt, Key Chain Anyone?

The first trailer for Man of Steel, left me feeling cold. After all Smallville covered the Clark finding himself ground quite well.

The trailer focusing on Zod makes me think there's hope. They'll need to have one mean Lex Luthor to follow Zod.

I do wonder about the fact that the media is picking up on the Super Man as Jesus imagery. If the media is picking up on it then it might be heavy handed. (they totally missed the religious imagery in Warm Bodies) Though I like the Superman as Moses take.

I have some Superman gear to give away. One XL & One L t-shirt (though I'd describe them as L & M) and one S key chain. To enter share the link to this post on FB, Twitter or G+ and leave a comment here. Let me know your preference for a prize.  Also be from Calgary, cause I'm not paying to ship them. I'll pick the winner Friday Night.

- Peace

The Paste Holiday Sampler (2012)

As you'd expect the Past Holiday Sampler has the usual Paste suspects - Sufjan Stevens and Great Lake Swimmers. Was delighted to see geek favorite Johnathan Coulton of Portal 'Still Alive' and 'Code Monkey' fame included as well.

From the Noise Trade Page:

Fortunately, every year some of our favorite Paste artists choose to freshen the holiday music genre with new releases, whether they're original compositions or unique takes on traditional holiday favorites. If you're looking for the perfect playlist for that tired "Secret Santa" party or just hoping to amp up your holiday spirit in a new way, look no further than the Paste Holiday Sampler.

You know the drill, email + postal code that the artist can use to contact you gets you 18 hip Christmas songs.

- Peace

Free Christmas Music from Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens has released twelve songs of the fifty eight songs on his Silver and Gold Christmas box set via Noise Trade.  Email + postal code = download.  Sweet.

- Peace

Free Snow Angels

If you like your Christmas music on the folk/bluesy/jazz/torch end of things then Snow Angels by Over the Rhine will be for you. OtR has released the album for free on NoiseTrade. Give them your email and you can download the album. No you have no excuse for not having excellent artful music for Christmas. - Peace

O How the Mighty Have Fallen

I've been a fan of the Choir since 86 and out of the 18 albums I have O How the Mighty Have Fallen is one of their best.  It has their all time most sublime song: Mercy Will Prevail. It deeply embraces doubt and pain:

I wanna swear it's true but it's hard to defend it
I know it comes from You and I don't comprehend it
Love never fails
Mercy will prevail
I wanna swear it's true but it's hard to defend it

In the chill of a cruel word
In the nest of a wounded bird
In the shadow of doubt
In the smoke
In the smoke of a torch blown out

The final line of the song puts that raw pain and doubt into the context of incarnational faith in way that is simply stunning.  Best to listen to the song via the Noise Trade Widget embeded above, but reading the full lyrics works too.

I highly recommend giving them your email & postal code and downloading the album.

- Peace

New Music from Charlie Peacock

New music from Charlie Peacock. Stream from the above widget or download in exchange for your email and postal code.

While Charlie is probably best known as the producer behind Switchfoot, I always think of his quirky pop/jazz debut album Lie Down in the Grass from 1984.  Listening to it now, I can pick out various stylistic influences, but in the mid 80s surrounded by Thriller Mania, Peacock was a truly exotic revelation.  

Enjoy!

- Peace

Two Long Surrender Reviews with MP3s

Direct Current has an announcement/review of Over the Rhine's new album the Long Surrender with the King Knows How MP3 for download. They also have wonderful pictures of Linford and Karin. Would love to know who took the pictures.

The Ruckus has a review.  Took me moment to realize 2/8 was the official release date not their rating.  From the Ruckus you can download Oh Yeah By The Way. I just want to amen the conclusion of the review:

This is, for me, the kind of album that you'll want to just sit by yourself in a quiet room and listen to for the first time, no distractions, just absorbing the different layers of instruments and the supremely well-written lyrics. Or, you know, in a room full of people you love that love music even when it isn't coming from the newest musical act.

I fell in love with OtR after hearing Born on a Paste Sampler back in 2005. So grab the MP3s but be warned OtR is a band you can fall in love with.

- Peace

Enjoying Matthew Perryman Jones's Free Sampler Olio

Update:

You can could listen to the full Matthew Perryman Jones's sampler or download if you're were willing to give up your email and postal code. But the sampler is no longer available.

- Peace

Free New MP3 from the Decemberists

The Decemberists are giving away a copy of Down By the Water, a track from their new album, in exchange for your email address. The track is worth hearing.

- Peace

Free Music from Asthmatic Kitty

The Asthmatic Kitty Digital Sampler, October 2010 is out. You can listen online or download as a set of MP3s. Asthmatic Kitty is home to such artists as Sufjan Steven's and a bunch of really cool artists you've probably never heard of :)

- Peace

Hope for a Tree Cut Down

Not sure where I found it, but I'm enjoying Hope for a Tree Cut Down a free Album in MP3 format from the folks at Church of the Beloved. BTW I'm not a fan of most "worship" music. This one reminds me of The Choir and friend's excellent At the Foot of the Cross.

- Peace

Free as in...

- Peace