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Galactic, 'I Got It (What You Need)': Free MP3 of the Day

Which is the better reason to listen to Galactic--the impossibly groovy funk-jazz jams, or the A-list MCs rhyming along to them? The combination is almost unfairly good, but we'll keep quiet. With artists from Juvenile to Mr. Lif on board, it's a utopian redefinition of "instrumental hip-hop."

Can't deal with the clutter of home theater speakers? Meet HT2.0

Sure, home theater sound is synonymous with five, six, or seven speakers and a subwoofer. And sure, multichannel audio can sound great, and more and more of today's films rely on a room-filling surround experience to convey their full impact. But a lot of folks cringe at the very idea of dealing with a mess of wires and speakers filling their living rooms. Enter HT2.0, a concept I've been writing about for nearly ten years; stereo home theater really can sound amazing on films that don't rely on special effects. If you mostly watch dramas, comedies, … Read more

FreeMobile411 launches on 4/11. Ha.

There's no real killer app yet for retrieving listings information on your mobile phone, but there could be soon.

On Aptil 11, FreeMobile411 launches the consumer version of its carrier-offered services. Visting FreeMobile411.com from your mobile browser gets you a decent-looking ad-supported WAP site that simplifies directory search and helps you avoid long waits while listening to ads from dial-in services like 1-800-FREE-411.

Enter the search term--it can be a business name ("Blockbuster"), business type ("video store"), or person ("Bill Blockbuster"). Then select the search type, and fill in either the city … Read more

The Shins, 'Phantom Limb': Free MP3 of the Day

By steadily winning the sensitive hearts of music fans the world over, the Shins are the sleeper band that keeps getting bigger. Many obsess along with singer James Mercer's existential unrest, others just bop along to the catchy, bare-boned hooks--or hey, why not do both? Whatever the case, the Shins' appeal is deeply and widely felt.

Free MP3s: Indie To Go Vol. 14

We just posted the lastest edition of the Indie To Go playlists on Download Music! This iPod-friendly sampler of MP3s features topnotch indie newcomers and chart-toppers such as Tokyo Police Club, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), The Raveonettes, The Explorers Club and more. Stream now (while you work), then visit the artist pages to download the songs to go. And if you want to hear more playlists like this one, check out Indie To Go Volumes 1 through 10.

Flight of the Conchords, 'Ladies of the World': Free MP3 of the Day

Unlike some comedians who sing (and singers who act funny), this New Zealand duo's humor is just as entertaining as their infectious music. With just two guitars and a microphone they've reached rockstar status on YouTube, MySpace, Download Music, and HBO.

Creative Commons gains $4 million grant, loses CEO Lessig

Creative Commons, the nonprofit dedicated to reforming copyright in the digital age, said Tuesday it has received a $4 million grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The money will bolster Creative Commons' five-year financial plan, which has also seen support or pledges of support from Google, Mozilla, Red Hat, and the Omidyar Network.

Out of the $4 million from the Hewlett Foundation, $2.5 million will go to the main Creative Commons organization over the next five years, and the remaining $1.5 million will go to its CCLearn education project.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Lessig, the organization's founder, … Read more

Autechre, 'Altibzz': Free MP3 of the Day

IDM connoisseurs Rob Brown and Sean Booth are among the undisputed leaders of abstract music. Their albums as Autechre are typically chaotic, abrasive, and unimaginably intricate, but those not familiar with the group's sound need not fear. Amidst the electronic manipulations of all those clicks, bleeps, and whacks, Booth and Brown create a dense and rhythmic soundscape that fits any situation.

Nina Simone, 'Revolution': Free MP3 of the Day

Simone worship is common among softcore jazz-soul-poppers, but they tend to gloss over her firebrand side. "Protest Anthology" presents Simone as the edgy and outspoken singer she was, collecting several of her fiercest cuts. Few have ever combined preaching and crooning so deftly.

Black Mountain, 'Tyrants': Free MP3 of the Day

Vancouver's Black Mountain takes dirty heavy-metal guitar stylings that would do Tony Iommi proud and combines them with hypnotic pacing and lyrics that are more along the lines of intergalactic incantations. It all adds up to an intoxicating brew--the soundtrack to an alien abduction.