To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark album Doolittle, the Pixies are offering a live EP.

The Mars Volta’s Omar Rodríguez-López and former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante recorded an album together many years ago according to Omar. The 30 minute, 7 track instrumental album is entitled, simply, Omar Rodríguez-López And John Frusciante.

The album is available as a free download (with a donation option) from Omar’s website, where you can also listen to the album in its entirety. If you do choose to donate, all proceeds benefit “Keep Music In Schools” programs, which you can read about at supportmusic.com.

Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Jack Johnson and many more artists featured in past years’ Bonnaroo festivals are donating their music to a Best of Bonnaroo compilation, to encourage Americans to speak out on climate change. All of the featured tracks are original songs, with the exception of My Morning Jacket’s performance of The Velvet Underground’s Oh! Sweet Nuthin‘.

Organized by the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, HeadCount and the NRDC Action Fund, this collaboration marks the first time free music has been used to prompt Americans to contact their elected officials.

Best of Bonnaroo isn’t your run of the mill compilation, pulling the hits from each artist in a patchwork attempt to appeal to the masses. The 17 different live performances were hand-picked and represent powerful works from each artist. Ani DiFranco’s Fuel is a gripping, immensely gravitational re-telling of a fan favorite, while Pearl Jam’s Animal is more celebratory than furious, a buoyant romp through formerly dangerous grounds. The Decemberists’ The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid is perhaps the most powerful track off their most recent Hazards of Love album, taken to new heights here, while Death Cab For Cutie turn in a shimmering rendition of Cath…

“This generation has an opportunity to be remembered as one that confronted environmental challenges and took responsibility for the future,” said Jack Johnson, whose song “Inaudible Melodies” can be heard on the compilation. “With that opportunity comes the responsibility to speak out.”

With climate change legislation now at a critical juncture, several organizations teamed up to use the gift of music to inspire citizens into action. HeadCount – a nonpartisan civic engagement organization best known for registering voters at concerts - conceived the idea as a way to point new voters toward being informed and active citizens. The NRDC Action Fund – an advocacy group committed to passing legislation that jump-starts the clean energy economy and reduces pollution – stepped in with resources, research, strategic guidance and a base of 250,000 supporters.

“The musicians we work with are very passionate about this topic and have great power to drive change,” said HeadCount’s Executive Director Andy Bernstein. “Their music will serve as a soundtrack for action.”

To download the album for free or just a few select tracks from the festival, head to www.Musicforaction.org. Before downloading the music, visitors are asked to email their Senators, the President or their local newspapers about climate change. The music is free no matter what, but the artists hope all their fans join them in taking action on this issue. The clicking around to get the free music may drive you a bit nuts, but once you get there, you’ll be happy.

The Best of Bonnaroo tracklist:

Wilco – Bull Black Nova Pearl Jam – Animal Jack Johnson – Inaudible Melodies Dave Mathews Band – Rapunzel Death Cab for Cutie – Cath… Ani DiFranco – Fuel Phish – Kill Devil Falls Gov’t Mule - Banks of the Deep End O.A.R. – Delicate Few moe.- Not Coming Down Raphael Saadiq – 100 Yard Dash Bob Weir & RatDog – Throwing Stones The Disco Biscuits – And The Ladies Were the Rest of the Night The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid My Morning Jacket – Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ Guster – Happier Phil Lesh and Friends - Box of Rain

Smashing Pumpkins mainman Billy Corgan had exciting news for fans on Wednesday. Seems he plans to outdo Radiohead's free album concept by giving away 44 tracks to fans for free and only making money off of a string of limited edition EPs and a boxset. Pretty cool fan friendly concept but we'll let Billy tell you about it: I'm happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope'. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.

We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EP's will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EP's will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal cd single. We may also offer other variations for sale, say for example a digital single with a demo version of a song. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.

When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EP's need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces.

The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.

The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.

I already have 53 songs written for the record, so I am quite confident that I already have much of the material that I would need to undertake such an extensive project. I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way.

Did we mention the new album is being recorded in Analog? We're excited about hearing the old school warmth not to mention anytime the analog wheels (reel to reel tape) are turning, the studio just has a different vibe all together! Hopefully this will equal some amazing music from BIlly and the boys.