The Free Christian Music Blog

Site Review: Guvera

I don’t normally review music websites (the last one I did was for the now defunct SpiralFrog, back in early 2008), but new website Guvera has too much going for it to ignore, especially since Guvera succeeds just about everywhere SpiralFrog failed.  I’ve been using the site for a month or two now, and I’ve been loving it too much not so say anything about it here.

Basically, Guvera is a music store that allows members to download any song they like from the site’s extensive catalog for free.  It’s a simple idea, really – you search and find a song you want to download, then click the “Download” button.  You’re then presented with a list of advertisers.  Pick one that offering a free download, and you’re taken to a promotional page where you can stream the song for free, and download it if you like, and that’s it.  Your song downloads right away, with no additional hoops.  To sweeten the deal, the songs I’ve gotten have been in 256 kbs DRM-free .mp3 files, which seems to be standard.  That’s equal or superior audio quality then most other music stores.

Of course, you can only get free downloads if there’s advertisers will to pay for it, which is the biggest restriction on the site.  The number of available downloads changes regularly (at the moment, I’ve got six free downloads available, a high for me – usually it’s between zero and two.)  When you sign up, you’re also required to fill out a short questionnaire about your interests to help Guvera match advertisers with you.  Still, considering that every single song you get is completely free, Guvera makes a fantastic alternative to iTunes for individual songs.

Guvera has an impressive song library as well – they’ve got a huge chunk of Tooth & Nail Record’s discography, including Solid State and BEC Records, from Aaron Sprinkle and Falling Up to Demon Hunter and Project 86, plus songs from the Happy Christmas and X series’.  They’ve got plenty of non-Nail artists as well, including Lifehouse, Amy Grant, Above the Golden State, David Crowder*Band, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Josh Wilson, Sanctus Real, Flyleaf, Newsboys, Paper Tongues, Switchfoot, 12 Stones, and The Rocket Summer, just to name a few.  To put it simply, there’s something for just about everybody.

In closing – I honestly can’t think of a single good reason not to sign up.  Between the selection, and the simplicity, Guvera just might be the best site for free music out there.  (Notice I said site – not blog.)    It’s just that good, and what few cons there are are easily outnumbered by the pros.  Absolutely worth checking out.

-Guvera.com-

Update: What songs are you going to be checking out?  I have my eye on Anberlin’s “Impossible” for my next download.

Tags: 12 Stones, Above the Golden State, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Flyleaf, Josh Wilson, Lifehouse, Newsboys, Paper Tongues, Sanctus Real, Switchfoot, The Rocket Summer, TobyMac

Summer Roadtrip Playlist

I love roadtrips, music, and summer.  So, with the aid of the terrific fans of TFCMB’s Facebook page fans and rad Twitter followers, I’ve combined a list of some of the best summer roadtrip songs.  For best results, listen on an open highway with the top down and the wind in your hair and a few of your best friends in the car.

• Group 1 Crew – “Live It Up”
• TobyMac – “Getaway Car”
• Newsboys – “Go”
• Whiteheart – “Convertibles”
• Johnny Cash – “I’ve Been Everywhere”
• House of Heroes – “Sooner Or Later (You’ll Want I All)”
• The Almost – “Souls on Ten”
• Relient K – “High of 75″
• Jars of Clay – “Scenic Route”
• Anberlin – “Autobahn”
• The Rocket Summer – “Hills and Valleys”
• Ruth – “Rolling With The Punches”
• Newsboys – “Wherever We Go”
• Mat Kearney – “Nothing Left To Lose”
• Capital Lights – “Mile Away”
• The Elms – “Back To Indiana”
• The Wedding – “Southside”
• Relient K – “I’m Taking You With Me”
• The Wedding – “Fireworks”
• Audio Adrenaline – “Free Ride”
• The Almost – “Free Fallin’”
• Owl City – “Sunburn”
• Relient K – “Forward Motion”
• Jonezetta – “Communicate”

Additions:

• Paper Tongues – “Ride to California”
• House of Heroes – “Mercedes Baby”
• Superchick – “Karaoke Superstars”
• TobyMac – “Boomin’”
• Hawk Nelson – “Live Life Loud”
• Stephen Curtis Chapman – “Live Out Loud”
• Hawk Nelson – “The Show”
• House of Heroes – “God Save Us the Foolish Kings”
• Mae – “Summertime”
• The O.C. Supertones – “Supertones Strike Back”
• Ruth – “Back to the Five”
• Relient K – “Chapstick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry”
• Anberlin – “True Faith”
• The Rocket Summer – “So Much Love”
• Owl City – “Cave In”
• Blood and Water – “The Government Stole My iPod”
• The Classic Crime – “Solar Powered Life”
• Number One Gun – “Forest”
• Newsboys – “Born Again”
• Rapture Ruckus – “Hold On”
• We Shot The Moon – “The Bright Side”
• Ghoti Hook – “On The Road Again”
• Audio Adrenaline – “Chevette”
• MxPx – “The Wonder Years”
• MxPx – “Southbound”
• Family Force 5 – “Ghostride the Whip”
• Leeland – “Follow You”
• Avalon – “California”
• Fireflight – “Desperate”
• Hawk Nelson – “California”
• Relient K – “Forget and Not Slow Down”
• Lecrae – “Jesus Muzik”
• Owl City – “Tip of the Iceburg”
• Lost Ocean – “Just Glide”
• RED – “Hide”
• House of Heroes – “Code Name: Raven”
• The Fold – “Backseat Drivers”
• Mainstay – “Roads”
• Group 1 Crew – “Movin’”
• TobyMac – “Ignition”
• Thousand Foot Krutch – “Forward Motion”
• Switchfoot – “Mess of Me”
• Skillet – “Awake and Alive”
• Kutless – “Tonight”
• The Almost – “Hands”
• Decyfer Down – “Crash”
• Krystal Meyers – “Feels So Right”
• Switchfoot – “The Shadow Proves the Sunshine”
• Relient K – “High of 75″
• Stellar Kart – “Student Driver”

Well, there you have it.  Am I missing anything obvious?  What would you pick?

Tags: Anberlin, Audio Adrenaline, Capital Lights, Group 1 Crew, House of Heroes, Jars of Clay, Johnny Cash, Mat Kearney, Newsboys, Paper Tongues, Ruth, The Almost, the Elms, The Rocket Summer, The Wedding, TobyMac, White Heart

Free TobyMac Remix

That’s right, it’s TobyMac, and he’s giving away free copies of “Lose My Soul (Shoc Remix)” to anyone who retweets about Toby’s latest release Tonight.  The remix was first released on the City On Our Knees CD single, and still features both Kirk Franklin and Mandisa, and while I don’t think it’s as good as the original version, it’s still good enough to be worth getting.

Now, you do need a Twitter account to retweet the message, but if you’ve got that, you should be good to go.  Enjoy!

-Toby Mac | Retweet the Remix-

Silly question, has anyone picked up Tonight yet?  What do you think?  I’m definitely planning to try and get it ASAP.

Tags: Kirk Franklin, Mandisa, TobyMac

Announcing The 2009 Free Christian Music Awards Winners

It’s time!  The votes are all in, and it’s time to announce the winners in the first annual Free Christian Music Awards!  You helped picked the nominees, and you voted on the winners – so read on to find out how your favorites did!

Free Song of the Year:

1. Switchfoot – “Mess of Me”
2. Owl City – “Fireflies”
3. Tie: Thousand Foot Krutch – “Bring Me to Life” / Relient K – “Forget and Not Slow Down”

With 41% of the vote, Switchfoot is clear winner in free song of the year, which really isn’t a surprise – Switchfoot’s dedicated fans gave “Mess of Me” a lead from the start, and the fact that it was a radio smash for the band didn’t hurt any.  Taking second place with 34% of the vote, Owl City’s wonderfully-popular “Fireflies”, followed by a surprise tie for third between Thousand Foot Krutch & Relient K.

Free Album of the Year:

1. We Shot The Moon – “Fear and Love”
2. Esterlyn – “Lamps”
3. MercyMe – “10 Live”

The award for “Free Album of the Year” was the closest of all the races this year, with We Shot The Moon’s Fear and Love beating Esterlyn’s Lamps for the title by only 1%, and MercyMe’s digital-only live album 10 Live only 3% behind Esterlyn for a respectable third place finish.

Free Christmas Song of the Year:

1. Relient K – “I Celebrate the Day”
2. Thousand Foot Krutch – “Jingle Bell Rock”
3. TobyMac – “This Christmas”

Relient K may have tied for third for “Free Song of the Year”, but they dominated “Free Christmas Song of the Year” from the start, with “I Celebrate the Day” finishing with 1/3 of the vote.  Not far behind, with 22%, Thousand Foot Krutch’s rocking rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” takes second place, and TobyMac’s “This Christmas” takes third.

Free EP of the Year:

1. House of Heroes – “The End Is Not The End EP”
2. B.Reith – “The B.Reith EP”
3. Esterlyn – “Mending The Meaning EP”

2009 was a good year to be House of Heroes – not only was their The End Is Not The End EP the undisputed winner of “Free EP of the Year” with a whopping 49% of the vote, but the same EP was also the most-nominated of any of the songs or albums in the running.  B.Reith picks up a strong second place finish with 25% of the vote, followed by Esterlyn at third with 20%.

Free Sampler/Compilation of the Year:

1. Tooth & Nail Records – “Fuel Sampler 2009″
2. Huntington University – “Picks”
3. Creation Festival – “Creation Festival 2009 iTunes Sampler”

Taking first place in the coveted “Free Sampler/Compilation of the Year” category by a wide margin is the 2009 version of Tooth & Nail Record’s Fuel sampler, with the underdog and my personal favorite, Huntington University’s free compilation Picks taking second place, followed by Creation Festival’s 2009 iTunes sampler in third.

Most Giving Artist of 2009:

1. House of Heroes
2. Esterlyn
3. MercyMe

“Most Giving Artist of 2009″ is a special category – rather then being nominated by fans, those in the running earned a spot by being exceptionally generous with free music this year.  In an impressive (and much deserved) second #1 victory, the title goes to House of Heroes, with Esterlyn in second, and MercyMe taking rounding out the category in third.

Well, that’s it for this year – what are your thought on the results?  I don’t know about you, but I’m sure looking forward to seeing what’s in store for 2010.  Also, if you’d like to see the full results of the voting, feel free to check out this page for a full list of nominees & how they did.

Tags: B. Reith, Esterlyn, House of Heroes, MercyMe, Owl City, Relient K, Switchfoot, Thousand Foot Krutch, TobyMac, We Shot the Moon

The Weekly Downloads: Nov. 24 ~ Nov. 30

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving everyone!  I’m not sure about you, but at our house, today is the official start of the Christmas season, and therefore, time to start listening to Christmas music.  Speaking of Christmas music, there’s a great Christmas song from TobyMac available this week, plus some good normal music too.

Kicking it off, Gospel Music Channel has a free download of Stephanie Smith’s energetic “Superstar” from Not Afraid.

-“Superstar” on GMC-

Next up, iTickets’ has two download this week, Lisa Coles’ “Illuminate” and Shout Praise Kids’ version of Lincoln Brewster’s “Today Is The Day”.  So far as I can tell, it’s Lincoln Brewster live, plus a children’s choir.  It actually sounds pretty good, worth checking out.

-iTickets’ Free Music Page-

Like I mentioned before, one song you don’t want to miss this week is TobyMac’s “This Christmas”, from Tangle – I mean, it’s TobyMac.  Good stuff!

-Tangle.com-

Last but not least, New Release Tuesday has a free download of “Comedown” from the new Norwegian band Dreampilots.  They’re got  a rather different sound, but it’s very catchy.  Actually, it’s almost too catchy, consider yourself forewarned. 

-New Release Tuesday’s Free Music Page-

Well, that’s it for this week, look for more music (including a good bit of Christmas music) next week!  Till then…

Tags: Dreampilots, Lincoln Brewster, Lisa Coles, Shout Praise Kids, Stephanie Smith, TobyMac

Free Song from TobyMac & Kirk Franklin

…And no, it’s not “Lose My Soul”.  However, the video for “Lose My Soul” did debut on Amazon.com a few days ago.  You can watch it here.  No, the free music I’m about to tell you about is from the CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty compilation, an CD featuring tons of different artists, with 100% of the proceeds going to help those living in poverty all of the world.  Cool idea.

Now, track #12 from that CD, “Let It Glow”, is by TobyMac, featuring Kirk Franklin.  You can download the song for free from the On Course website, from their music player.  I had a bit of trouble finding it myself, but if you look at the bottom of the page you’ll see the link.  “Let It Glow” isn’t my favorite song by TobyMac, but is it still a decent song.  Plus, it’s free, so what exactly do you have to lose? 

-On Course’s Website-

One last thing, some of you may remember On Course from a while back, when I posted about how they were giving away a free song every week in their monthly (or was it weekly?) newsletters.  Sadly, it seems they’ve stopped doing that for whatever reason, and now the only free music is this one song.  Maybe they’ll continue at some point, which would be great, though I doubt it.  Anyway, in case you were wondering what happened to them, now you know.

Tags: Kirk Franklin, TobyMac

Speedlinking: Brave Saint Saturn, Lincon Brewster, Addison Road

Speedlinking once again (Friday, because James found a sweet sampler he couldn’t wait to post about. ) Anyway, speedlinking is something I started last week, basically, to save myself time and to diversify somewhat.  You can see last week’s introduction here.  That said, let’s get started:

1.  Brave Saint Saturn has given Indie Vision Music permission to give their song “Starling” away as a free download.  Brave Saint Saturn is the electronic side project of several members of Five Iron Frenzy.

2.  I was emailed about this 100 Places to Find Free Christian Music Online list this week, and would have had to share it even if TFCMB wasn’t number 21 on the list.  It’s extremely complete, and worth perusing.

3.  Indie Vision Music has also got two brand new downloads from Gasoline Heart and Discover America.  Looks good!

4.  Indie Vision Music also has got a full CD download from Amohalko.  It’s a full CD called Spark, and looks sweet.  Three downloads in one post – yes, Indie Vision Music is amazing.

5.  This week’s video is Joy Electric – “What Electricity Made”.  See it here.

6.  iTicket’s has a free download this week of Lincoln Brewster‘s new song “Today Is the Day”.

7.  Total Axxess has a free download of Addison Road’s “Sticking With You”.  It looks like it’s only going to be available for a limited time, so grab a copy fast.

7.  And last but definitely not least, this week’s archived download is actually a sampler from HearItFirst.com.  Check the original post for details.

Tags: Addison Road, Amohalko, Brave Saint Saturn, Britt Nicole, David Crowder Band, Discover America, Future of Forestry, Gasoline Heart, John Reuben, Joy Electric, Lincoln Brewster, Our Hearts Hero, Rebeccas St. James, Sanctus Real, Shawn MacDonald, This Beautiful Republic, TobyMac

Own A Piece of Music History!

Thanks to RadioU-TVU, you may now own a piece of Christian music history.  The history in question is part of a fried Snickers bar that TobyMac tried, and didn’t like.  Kind of gross, really.  The full story is on the eBay auction.

-TobyMac’s Fried Snickers and DNA on eBay-

Tags: TobyMac

Slammin’ Downloads Courtesy of HearItFirst

Ten free songs today courtesy of HearItFirst.com and TobyMac.  My research indicates that it was a promo for Portable Sounds.  You may have heard about it, kind of a big deal.    Anyway, the sampler is still live online and has some sweet music.  Notice the inclusion of TobyMac’s smash hit “Made To Love”.  I was definitely surprised to see that free.

The list:

• TobyMac – “Made To Love”
• Shawn MacDonald – “Pour Out”
• Rebecca St. James – “God Help Me”
• Sanctus Real – “Fly”
• Our Hearts Hero – “Back To The Cross”
• John Reuben – “Word of Mouth”
• Britt Nicole – “Indestructible”
• Future of Forestry – “Open Wide”
• David Crowder Band – “You Are My Joy”
• This Beautiful Republic – “Jesus to this World”

As you can see, there’s quite a lot of good songs on there.  Particularly John Reuben and Britt Nicole, in my opinion.  Actually, the Britt Nicole song is quite rare.  It’s not on her CD, and was only released on HearItFirst and a compliation disc.  It’s a lot rockier then her other stuff too, which makes it interesting.  But I digress…

Anyway, to access all of the music, you’ll need to have a HearItFirst account and be signed in.  I’d highly recommend opting in to the mailing list, as they send you free songs every week.  Very cool.

-Slammin’ Downloads-

Tags: Britt Nicole, David Crowder Band, Future of Forestry, John Reuben, Our Hearts Hero, Rebeccas St. James, Sanctus Real, Shawn MacDonald, This Beautiful Republic, TobyMac

New Music From Run Kid Run and TobyMac!

New music on iTickets! This week only, you can download the live version of TobyMac’s song “Ignition” for free. Originally from Portable Sounds, the new live version is from Toby’s new CD/DVD, Alive and Transported. Personally, I prefer the original version, but that’s just my taste. It’s still a good song.

Also update is Creation Festival’s free download page. Run Kid Run’s “Captives Come Home” is the free download for June, from the band’s new CD Love At The Core. It’s also the first single from Love At The Core.

Now, to get the song, you’ll have to fill out the form on the website, then check your email. The required code, and instructions for getting the song on iTunes, are included in the email.

Tags: Run Kid Run, TobyMac