Altered Freebies: Sleigh Bells; R.E.M.; The Dears

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Sleigh Bells, “Infinity Guitars”
Although this track is nothing new to the internet, it's getting spun today on the show and is up for free so grab it. It's by a band called Sleigh Bells, who you should have gotten to know by now. If not, schedule a playdate soon.

R.E.M., “Discoverer”
R.E.M. returns with a new album this year and a few tracks have slipped out; others can be found here and here. For fans of Murmur, this record should deliver.

The Dears, “Omega Dog”
From the new album, Degeneration Street, comes out just in time for those forgetting gifts for their significant others on February 15th. The Dears throw in plenty of fuzz on the track.

CD of the Week: Stornaway Bursts Technologies' Bubble

Named after a remote town on a  Scottish island,  Stornaway brings a rustic sound to Beachcomber's Windowsill.

The CD is full of Celtic-sounding strings, banjos, parlor pianos, and campfire harmonies so attractive, it's a WTMD CD of the Week natural.  These guys are no academic slouches with two of members having graduated from Oxford University with PhD's and bonded over their mutual love of Teenage Fanclub.

The songs include tracks like "We Are the Battery Human" which speaks of a yearning for a return to nature and by ditching smart phones. Their references to technology's effect on culture are something we can all relate to and are peppered throughout the album.

The glee of "Zorbing" is an endorphin-rush of first love combined with the sensory overload of an extreme sport.  Zorbing the sport,  places a person inside a huge plastic bubble and rolling it down hillsides and around city streets.

Take a listen all week long as we feature all the tracks from Beachcomber's Windowsill.