The compilation CD is starting to go the way of the dinosaurs. Once the thing that held together budding record labels and new musicians trying to find exposure, most compilation CDs now show up in the back rows of record stores while record labels put their music online for fans.
But for the Free Yr Radio campaign, the compilation CD is still alive and well. Released this week, the Free Yr Radio CD is available at all Urban Outfitters stores across the U.S. and on their Web site.
So what is this Free Yr Radio thing about, anyway? Sponsored by Toyota and Urban Outfitters, and in collaboration with a collection of excellent indie bands, the Free Yr Radio campaign seeks to support and encourage independent radio stations across the country.
The stations listed on the campaign's Web site are located in mainly urban areas and support a diverse collection of music, basically anything that's not in the pop charts. All of the money made from the CD gets divided up among all of the supporting radio stations.
Really, it's a match made in heaven. Get two corporate sponsors to support non-corporate radio stations, and watch those corporate sponsors gain great publicity and hopefully sell some stuff along the way. All cynicism aside it really is a great cause, especially if you listen to one of their supported stations.
The Free Yr Radio CD is a collection of music from the bands that have supported the campaign, and the songs on this compilation CD are very good. From the Klaxons to Sonic Youth, the collection is both diverse as well as rare; most of the bands provided songs not found anywhere else, and most of the songs are rare b-sides and live performances.
The first track is "Golden Skans" by the Klaxons, an upbeat, psychedelic dance track. The rest of the music on Free Yr Radio has an indie rock and punk vibe that's supported by some of the best bands in these genres.
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