10 Free and Legal MP3 Albums to Download

There are many free and legal MP3 albums to download. They are generally strewn around the internet and are somewhat tricky to find. Here are ten of those albums. Each one is a quality release and you may (or may not) be surprised that some of the band's featured here are popular ones. Either way these are fine albums and they are totally free and totally legal to download.

1. Explosions In The Sky - The Rescue

This album is featured on the band's own official website and was recorded over an eight day period. It's full of their trademark post-rock instrumental music that veers towards indie rock but is equal arts moody and beautiful.

2. Harvey Danger - Little By Little

This is Harvey Danger's third official album release which comes with album artwork and liner notes. It too is available via the band's official website and is in high-bitrate MP3 or OGG format via BitTorrent or OK quality MP3 via direct download. It's basically a pop-rock album with a little alt-indie thrown in for good measure. Nice tunes though.

3. Butthole Surfers - Double Live

This album comes via the Butthole Surfers' official website and features DAT recordings of the band's live shows which have been compiled into a 2 disc, 29 song set. It includes front and back cover art. Their music is way-leftfield indie psych rock and this is a good archive of the horrors of a Butthole Surfers show.

4. The Arrogants - Three Albums

Yep, three whole albums free and legally available from their own official website. They are a jangly guitar pop band with an indie edge and have some great sing-a-long choruses and hooks, with nice buzzsaw guitars. The albums are 2005's 'You've Always Known When Best To Say Goodbye...' which features 23 songs, 2002's 'Nobody's Cool', and 'Your Simple Beauty' from 2000. There are good songs on all three.

5. Nine Inch Nails - The Limitless Potential

Trent Reznor has made this collection of NIN remixes available for free from his official website. The album contains 21 tracks and can be downloaded individually or as a whole and includes album art.

6. REM - R.E.M.I.X

Again available from REM's official website. It is a remix version of the band's 2001 album 'Reveal'. It has remixes from the likes of Her Space Holiday, Chef, Jamie Candiloro and others.

7. Jets Overhead - Bridges

Jets Overhead are another rock and pop band who have a little bit of alt-indie about them. The choruses on this album are great and the music generally of a high standard. The album is from 2006 and comes with an instrumental version companion album as well as an EP. Well worth the download.

8. Dead Heart Bloom - Dead Heart Bloom

This is a solo album by former Phasers keyboardist Boris Skalsky. It's a blend of indie-folk and some darker rock. His website has downloads of the self-titled first album as well as 'Chelsea Diaries' from 2007 and an EP called 'Fall In' from 2008.

9. Zooey - Pique-Nique Et Jeux dans L'eau

If you like pop electronica that's slightly leftfield then this is for you. Zooey are from France and this is a great eleven song album available from their own website.

10. Matador Records - Intended Play Sampler (Fall 2008)

This compilation comes courtesy of great indie label Matador and features a track from each new and upcoming release. Includes Belle and Sebastian, AC Newman, Lou Reed, Mogwai, Pavement and many more. Recommended!

Hope you find something you like and thanks for reading!