I've been finding quite a few FREE MP3 downloads via Amazon, lately. Most are "independent" artists (guys we've never heard of), but there's some fairly famous stuff, as well. So I'm starting an ongoing freebies thread so YOU can check this stuff out.

If you don't have it already, you'll need to install Amazon's free "Mp3 Downloader". It works flawlessly with iTunes or any other (modern) digital music player on your computer.

Note the start date of this thread. As I'm sure the free prices won't last forever. In other words: if you're clicking these links six months from now, do NOT come bitching to me!

Here's a few things to get you started:

Sampler Albums:
[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D0%26ref%255F%3Dnb%255Fss%255Fdmusic%26y%3D0%26field-keywords%3Dstax%2520sampler%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Ddigital-music&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Stax Sampler</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />[/doHTML]
Four track EP with Isaac Hayes, Lightnin' Hopkins and more. Good stuff from the old R&B Stax label.

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W5N01I?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001W5N01I">Eagle Records Live at Montreux 2009 Sampler</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001W5N01I" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]
13 track "live" sampler with stuff from Alice Cooper, Tori Amos (doing her famous "Smells Like Teen Spirit" cover), Run DMC and more. They label a Deep Purple "Smoke on the Water" track...but it's a nine minute track of free form jazz (muzak). I don't get that.

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001WB1KQY?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001WB1KQY">Tomorrow's Stars From Sxsw</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001WB1KQY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]
Tracks from the South By Southwest festival. Anberlin, Rocco Deluca and a few more.

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001XNBCOQ?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001XNBCOQ">Victory Records Label Sampler</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001XNBCOQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]
From an "indy" label. Mostly death metal stuff featuring growly vocals. Plus a track from Sister Sin-- a Swedish metal band who sound kinda' like WASP or other late 80's stuff. Also, unlike the other albums listed above, you can download each one of these songs separately.

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W2YISK?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001W2YISK">Amazon SUB POP Sampler</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001W2YISK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]
Lotsa' "indy alternative" bands. Plus something from Flight of the Conchords. Another album that allows you to download the tracks individually.

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IBGJ5K?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001IBGJ5K">This is Daptone Records...</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001IBGJ5K" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]
Haven't had time to preview this one ... mostly stuff from a band called "Sugarman 3". I think it's R&b/Hip Hop.

I'll post more as I find 'em.

Victory Records was originally the Hardcore/Straight Edge label.

Sub Pop was Nirvana's original label, and one of the best indy labels around

Today's "Sub Pop" isn't exactly the same label it was in 1986, so if you hit that sampler thinking you'll get some old Nirvana/Soundgarden stuff, you'll be disappointed.

Oh..and note that I put "indy" in quotes? I see that title being applied to a LOT of newer bands, nowdays.
"Oh, you haven't heard of them?! Well that's because they're INDY!!"
"Whoa...they must be cool, then!"

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W2YOJI?ie=UTF8&tag=estragand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001W2YOJI">Anti Sampler 2009</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=estragand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001W2YOJI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />[/doHTML]

Individual tracks from various artists, including Bob Mould, Michael Franti, Booker T, Mavis Staples and others.

Hint/Suggestion: I am digging the Booker T track with a BIG spoon.

"Indy" is just like "emo." The word has become meaningless because it's so overused.

Available FREE for today, only (Thur, May 7):
[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W0HEQK?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001W0HEQK">Retreat! Retreat!</a> <img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001W0HEQK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by 65daysofstatic[/doHTML]

FREE for awhile:
[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UBBBYW?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001UBBBYW">Story</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001UBBBYW" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />by Great Northern[/doHTML]

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F1U3HI?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001F1U3HI">Emancipated Minor</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001F1U3HI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Ani DiFranco [/doHTML]

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U94RPE?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001U94RPE">People Got A Lotta Nerve</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001U94RPE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Neko Case [/doHTML]

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VW6INO?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001VW6INO">Mushroom Men</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001VW6INO" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Les Claypool [/doHTML]

[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PJ7KCQ?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001PJ7KCQ">What I Do!</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001PJ7KCQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Sepultura [/doHTML]

And hey, did you say "emo"? FREE emo cr...err, STUFF for you:
[doHTML]<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QQYKQS?ie=UTF8&tag=dws-store-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000QQYKQS">Emo Is Awesome Emo Is Evil 2</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dws-store-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000QQYKQS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [/doHTML]