Declare your independence from the lamestream music machines and pre-programmed, autotuned crappy corporate pop. Support your local artists and donate to them, so they make more great music! These are full albums – all for “name-your-price.” It’s been some time but the awesome Empty City Squares delivers a collection of great singles collected during the year. The opener “Hail To The Cheato,” a decidedly vicious takedown of a certain president. The songs are really good here, so download and enjoy! The Eisenhowers were quiet for over 12 years, but they came back to ‘Judge a man by the company he keeps’ a worthy album that I discovered a bit late, but if you want a taste of Raymond Weir’s band, then get the “bonus tracks” on ‘Too Much Music.’ New Jersey’s Ruby Bones pays tribute to their favorite indie bands, and they do such a good job it’s worth way more than the $3.50 they are asking. Gentle Hen‘s 2017 LP ‘Sneaking Up On The Moon’ is our final entry here, but it’s stuffed with indie-rock gems, like “Made Up Stars” and “Life of Leisure.” They say the best things in life are free, and these are likely the best free albums you’ll get this year, so toss these bands a few bucks!
OK, this aint free — but at $3.50 it’s close enough to make my list.