This week, Grousing The Aisles takes a look at the best podcasts on the web.

Just in case you are living in the early 2000s, a podcast is a file (usually mp3) distributed by subscription for use on a portable music device or on a computer. In researching this piece, it really surprises me more up-and-coming bands haven’t taken advantage of this cheap and easy way to market their music. For now, these podcasts are the best music you can buy (legally) for absolutely nothing:

Umphrey’s McGee: UM was the first band in the so-called jam genre to use podcasting to market their music. Just about every two weeks, the band releases a new 70-minute “Best Of” compilation…for free. This week the band released the 35th installment of the series that features the best music of July 2006. Jon McLennand, podcast coordinator for the band, reports “It’s been a fairly steady growth since the inception, starting from around 6,000 downloads per podcast initially to 20,000 currently.” Yes, 20,000! That’s a serious model for success…

As I said last week, “I recently coaxed my good friend over at Newmradio to create some podcasts with the Hidden Track audience in mind, especially since he’s been doing it anyway on his own for years now. The real beauty of this non-fluid exchange, though, is that Newman and I share a love of Phish, and just about nothing else. And in my quest to broaden my musical horizons and conjure up some new music for the iPod, Newman’s podcasts have been an invaluable kick in the ass.”

This one comes with a note from the creator: “I heard that first song today and had to share it with people asap! The rest just came naturally…make sure to hear that Oliver Nelson song…if you like jams in any kind of way.” Go get ‘em:

Tracklist and Link for NewmRadio Podcast: Totally Safe For Work

Me Saw Me Momma- Kevin Blechdom
Cornbread Red- Ween
New Blue Moon- Traveling Wilburies
Words From The Wise- Gentle Giant
Patterns- Oliver Nelson
North Star- Robert Fripp with Daryl Hall
You Look Good In Rags- Alice Cooper
Ashtray Heart- Capt. Beefheart & the Magic Band
Needles In the Camel’s Eye- Brian Eno

Previously on HT: Outsourced Podcasts, Vol. I

I’m not very technologically advanced. Sure I’ve got two blogs, a cellular telephone, a handful of DVR boxes and wireless Internets, but if technological stupidity were dirt, I’d cover a full acre or two. I’m clueless 99.44 percent of the time.

So I recently coaxed my good friend over at Newmradio to create some podcasts with the Hidden Track audience in mind, especially since he’s been doing it anyway on his own for years now. The real beauty of this non-fluid exchange, though, is that Newman and I share a love of Phish, and just about nothing else. And in my quest to broaden my musical horizons and conjure up some new music for the iPod, Newman’s podcasts have been an invaluable kick in the ass.

In conjunction with Hidden Track and Her Majesty the Queen, I now present to you our first NewmRadio Podcast: Terrific Ghost Boobs.

Cosmic Tango- Ash Ra Tempel
She Is Loaded- Giles, Giles & Fripp
I’m Drowning- Flamin’ Groovies
Ridin’- Chilliwack
Transcendental Meditation- Beach Boys
Bracelets of Fingers- Pretty Things
Book of Saturday- King Crimson
Sun Never Shines- Music Emporium
Shaving Is Boring- Hatfield & the North
Little Cloud- Incredible String Band
Two For Two- John McLaughlin
Hurdy Gurdy Man- Neil Pye
Buzzsaw- The Fabulous Dawgs (but really, the Turtles)

Get on this shite, and stay tuned for more rarities-driven podcasts that will hopefully turn you on to some great stuff we’ve all been missing…