Creative Commons

Reead “Nobody’s Innocent” – a pop-dance album with an acoustic touch

Nobody's Innocent is a pop-dance, electro/club album by 27-year old French artist Reead. If you can summarize the whole album in one word, it would have to be "surprising". The collection is a tight mesh of dance tunes and quiet acoustic serenades, which from the sound of it doesn't seem too appealing---but trust me, this album is one surprise you shouldn't miss. The dance tracks reflect the artist's funky side as influenced by constantly evolving pop singer Madonna while the soothing acoustic tracks show the strong impact of pop-rock band Lifehouse on the French singer. Reead manages to pull off this unlikely union of two different genres with admirable aplomb.

Escarlatina Obsessiva “Pandemic” – free punk-rock album from Brazilian duo

Escarlatina Obsessiva is a rock duo from Brazil, made up of Karolina (who plays the bass and provides the vocals) and Zaf (who plays the guitar, keyboards, and synthesizers). The duo was formed in 2006, and is influenced by European post punk and American punk rock bands from the 1980s. Escarlatina Obsessiva has already released two albums, "Chants of Lethe" and "Blossomy Parks." Their latest album release is entitled "Pandemic," and it has just been released on the French netlabel Zorch Factory. The album features ten brand-new punk and post-punk tracks.

“The Politics of Desire” by Revolution Void – a free electric jazz album

With a consistently high ranking on Jamendo, Revolution Void's latest album, The Politics of Desire, has set the standards of electric jazz music quite high. Revolution Void is a music project by Jonah Dempcy, who started it way back in 1995. With the quotation 'We are the facilitators of our own creation' boldly stated in his website, Dempcy released his albums through Creative Commons.As the third album released under the Revolution Void Records net label, The Politics of Desire has a polished selection of electro jazz instrumental songs. It was described as a fresh take to electronic music and had a blend of different sounds.

Yann-Arthus Bertrand: Home

"Home" by Yann-Arthus Bertrand is a visually stunning and thought-provoking documentary about the damage that humans have inflicted on the planet Earth. It is a collection of amazing aerial photos and videos from 54 countries all over the world, showcasing the vast beauty as well as the terrible scars that we left our home during the development of our civilization in the past 200,000 years.The impact of homo sapiens---wise humans---is nearing the critical point when it cannot be reversed anymore. "Home" shows us what we've done and what we stand to lose.

Listen to LoveJones aka Mike Schpitz & Phys Edison’s free laid back rap album “Sunday Drive”

Finding the perfect chemistry between producer and MC is a very rare if not magical occurrence. With the single driven, mixtape economy of hip hop, finding this connection for an entire album seems virtually impossible. One duo however, has not only managed to find that chemistry and share the same vision, they have also managed to create a conceptual piece of work that flows seamlessly from start to finish without skipping a beat.

Mushrooms Suck by Jupiter Skydive – a high energy dance/electronica

Just recently I came across some tracks from this album on thesixtyone.com and couldn't resist digging more. Mushrooms Suck is a very energetic compilation of breakcore/electro/industrial/drum 'n' bass tracks that will just keep your head moving. It is Jupiter Skydive' (Nick) second (out of three) albums and, in my opinion, the best. Every track of the album is different and interesting - my favorite is "Off Road Ice Cream Truck", but it is a close call.

The Johns’ foresight/poorsight free album now under Creative Commons on FrostWire

The Johns is a Chicago based indie rock band composed of four life-long friends who are determined to keep their music independent of popular trends and opinions of others. "[They] aim to proceed as an undefinable sort of pop music, drawing from a history of playing metal, jazz, funk, blues, folk and art rock and pulling from influences as varied as Neil Young, Mike Patton, Television, tin-pan alley jazz, The Police, Les Paul & Mary Ford and onwards and upwards."

Ray Garrido – “Tropicotrip”

The Breathe compilations have become an anthology series that I look forward to with anticipation. However, the Breathe netlabel is also getting into single artist collections with this luscious album by Mexican multi-instrumentalist Ray Garrido. Tropicotrip is an exotic journey that is part hip-hop, part lounge, and very spacey.

The Leftouts – “Last One Standing”

Lepork Records is a new net label specializing in South American punk artists. The small offering of online albums is interesting but I was especially drawn to The Leftouts and their free album titled Last One Standing. It is a raucous effort incorporating power pop with punk. I especially like the opening track, “19 Days” and the tense title tune. This album, as well as the albums by other bands on this net label deserve a listen for their inexhaustible energy but also to show how global the punk genre has become.