Our last-minute gift here is from Ex-Norwegian! A seasonally inspired remix set of fan faves and deep cuts, never before heard. A holiday FREEBIE for you!
Category: Holiday Music
All I Want For Christmas is…
We have a few days left…
So in the spirit of the holiday season, I am looking through my massive list of 516 releases to see which albums make the cut. The end of year Top 25 List will likely arrive on New Year’s Eve or shortly after. In the meantime, I have a final blast of Christmas music. Enjoy it while it’s here, but even cooler is this stocking stuffer for you all. Jim Basnight has a new album coming out before the year’s up, I have an exclusive limited time download for y’all. Pick it up and pick up this LP when it comes out.
Some new Holiday Favorites!
Early Christmas in December: The Lemon Twigs and much more!
Well, that time of year is coming closer.
The winds are getting colder. And I’m almost another year older. So let’s open up the presents early. Firstly, The Lemon Twigs are always a great stocking stuffer with the new singles “I’ve Got A Broken Heart” and the garage rocker “Friday (I’m Gonna Love You)” full of joyous “na na nas.” Next, a very child-like response to a Scrooge by The Hilken and Melissa Band with acclaimed singer Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) on “What’s So Bad About Christmas” and the garage rock of Boston’s premier all-female rock cover band, The Other Girls singing “I’m Not Getting Anything for Christmas.” Both are great new Xmas originals!
The Supernaturals are on their third Christmas EP, the keeper here is “I Won’t Let You Down This Xmas.” But for some anthemic Xmas pop punk, check out Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets. Another treat is The Krayolas, and Beach Boys fans will love “Giddy-up Santa.” Perfecto! But for the pissed off among us, Geoff Palmer delivers his Xmas sneer with “Merry Christmas I Fucked Your Snowman.” But I couldn’t end this with such piss and vinegar. So take a deep breath, and listen to the excellence of Music City’s “Only Home For Christmas.” And the best gift is the band has a new LP cooking for 2026.
Drumroll… It’s almost here.
The year in review 2024
The phrase “power pop” alone makes one picture jangly guitar riffs, catchy tunes, and vibrant energy. Think Big Star, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, and The Raspberries. But where does the genre stand today?
While the classic sound still resonates with some, the genre’s boundaries have blurred significantly. Rising independent artists challenge easy classification and push artistic limits. Punk, metal, techno, and many other influences permeate the music from indie rock to alternative pop. This combining produces a vivid, always changing soundscape. Rarely do artists limit themselves to a rigid power pop template. Instead they use several techniques to create original sonic tapestries. An album might feature a driving power pop anthem alongside a brooding ballad, an experimental electronic track, or a raw, punk-infused outburst. Actually, I’ve seen more music this year than last year — along with less of that traditional power pop sound.
This eclecticism isn’t necessarily a departure from the spirit of power pop. At its core, power pop celebrates melodic songwriting and infectious energy. From the jangly guitars of the past to the cutting-edge sounds of today, these ideas can be articulated in innumerable ways.
The result is a more dynamic and exciting musical landscape. While purists might lament the loss of a “pure” power pop sound, this evolution ensures the genre remains fresh, relevant, and constantly surprising. Onward to 2025! Next post is the Top 25 of 2024.
Holiday music: Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, Ben Folds