Each week, Playlist’s Glenn Peoples looks at special tracks offered by the iTunes Music Store and other select online music merchants. Here are the selections for the week of June 20th.
American Idol’s Bo Bice was a runner up but was a hit with millions of Americans. They’re going to be tickled pink that iTunes has a single, “Inside Your Heaven,” that comes with a free digital booklet. Bo will sing on Carlos Santana’s upcoming album and has collaborted with guitarist Richie Sambora for the song “Vehicle” for Bice’s album. The song is available at other online stores without the digital booklet.
Another pre-release is “Happens All The Time” by metal veterans Cold. The song is from the band’s album, A Different Kind of Pain , that will be out August 30th.
In the exclusives section of iTunes is The Offspring’s Greatest Hits. This 14-song collection contains not only the much-loved digital booklet but such favorites as “Come Out And Play” and “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy).” The album is also on MSN Music and Rhapsody.
Missy Elliot’s The Cookbook, out July 5th, can be preordered now at iTunes. The bonus is that a pre-order comes with a music video for the song “Lose Control.”
Currently one of iTunes top sellers is the debut solo album, The Future Embrace, by former Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. The iTunes version contains an exclusive video and a digital booklet.
Also popular is a download of song recorded by Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan. The two neo-folk artists did it as a benefit for the Free Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday Campagin. The single “Unplayed Piano” is available exclusively at iTunes. It comes with a free video for the song — which was mixed by the talented Chris Lord-Alge. All artists’ royalties from the sales of this record will go to supporting the US Campaign for Burma
The Basement Jaxx have an iTunes exclusive with the seven-song “Oh My Gosh” EP.
Dido exclusive EP at iTunes, “Dido Live.” The three songs are “Here With Me,” “See You When You’re 40” and “See The Sun.”
The iTunes free download of the week is “Gravity” by Brit pop veterans Embrace. The band has got a second life through Lava Records.
Rhapsody currently has an exclusive on Rolline Stone Exclusive EPs by O.A.R. and Vanessa Carlton.
eMusic has added the latest album, Face the Truth , by former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus. Also now part of the eMusic indie music library are Belle and Sebastian’s Push Barman To Open Old Wounds and A Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTC .
Labels throughout the industry are said to be looking at Orange County’s Satisfaction, a buoyant power pop band that sounds like a less polished, grittier Fountains of Wayne. Their MySpace.com page has three songs available to stream.