Today's Random #MPFreebie - Ska Lives

Indie Vision Music is one of those sites that you just have to admire for its breadth and depth.  Focusing on "faith and entertainment with an independent perspective," IVM gives coverage to the less-than-mainstream faith music often ignored by even local music cognoscenti.  As you browse the site, you'll find everything from alternative to screamo to, in this case, ska.  Their latest compilation offering is Ska Lives, Volume 1, and it's well worth the download.  This 29-track offering is well-chosen; one usually finds a clunker or two in any compliation, but that doesn't seem to be the case with this effort.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) are How to Program A VCR from Dime Store Heist, Just Like Josiah's You Hold the Key and Phil Joel's partnership with Supertones on Don't Forget to Remember.  (Special mention to Not For the Crowd for their rendition of Roll Jordan Roll - when it's done well, I love hearing old standards taken into new genres!)  Give it a listen; I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Ska Lives Vol. 1

Tonight's Random MPFreebie: XO for the Holidays from @xopublicity

XO Publicity, of Portland, Oregon, is a music promotion agency with a roster of 100+ clients.  This year, they offer us the third in their series of "XO for the Holidays" samplers.  This year's release is 11 tracks of holiday goodness, and it doesn't disappoint.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are Judge Jackson's Christmas Tree (featuring Billy Bob Thornton), the acoustic-tinged Dreidel Song from Campfire OK, and Paper Tongues' take on Carol of the Bells.  While you're there, you can also pick up Volumes I and II of the series.  They're all good additions to your holiday playlist - thanks XO!

xo publicity