Before I go on to review the “best of” what I missed, I wanted to let you help another cause, Songs for Sandy Hook. 100% of all proceeds to Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. It’s got top notch talent and hauntingly beautiful songs. Highlights include tracks by Brandon Schott, Mike Viola, Herb Eimerman, and The Popdudes. Both volumes are available at Bandcamp.
Awesome Christmas tunes by favorite artists Eric Crugnale and Kevin Bents, Grahame Coulton and John Dunbar
Vegas With Randolf “Snow Day”
Ho, ho, ho, waiting for the first blizzard of the season. Washington DC based Vegas With Randolf sings about the only thing that’ll make kids glad about missing school and sledding down the hill. | CD Baby
Justin Kline “Once A Year”
With a Beatlesque hook and timed beat of sleigh bells, it makes this holiday gem from Justin Kline irresistible – love the “do do do” chorus. Plus all proceeds will benefit TOYS FOR TOTS. | CD Baby | Bandcamp
Lannie Flowers “Christmas Without You”
Perfect Texas styled power pop with the lovelorn Lannie Flowers in a mid tempo tune destined to be a classic for lonely hearts everywhere. | CD Baby
The Connection “Rock N Roll Christmas”
Solid melodic joyful tiding from New England’s Newst Hit Makers. You get the single “Rock N Roll Christmas” and the B-side “Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight tonight)” Both are a sweet combo of The Ramones and The Kinks.
FREE download on Bandcamp
The Mockers “Men of La Mancha” EP
Power pop veterans The Mockers have been dripping out singles all year, but finally we get a nice group together in one EP. A cover of “Impossible Dream” from the Broadway show Man of La Mancha, it starts off traditionally… then speeds off into Mockersville. The Spanish pop gem “Que Vida” sounds like it fell off the Los Imposibles album. And the liberal dream single “Republican Girl” is a bona fide viral hit. Add to this two new holiday songs and you have all killer, no filler — one of the best EPs this year. Highly recommended!
Willow “Charcoal & Blue”
Once again we follow guitarist Mike Barnett to his new project. Willow is a collaboration between Barnett, Jerry Risner (bass) and Denise Risner (vocals, keyboards). The trio leans on Denise’s jazzy vocal and Barnett’s jangle styled guitar playing. Opening with “Nobody Does It Like You” its a Dylanesque gem, and I enjoyed the soulful lyric and Byrdsian riffs on “Good Love Is Hard To Find” and “Counting On You.” Unfortunately weariness on some of the vocals is evident, and some songs lack energy. Fans of both Dylan and Steve Forbert may appreciate it more than I did.
Suburban Sprawl Holiday Sampler
Hey! It’s totally the last month of 2012! Depending on whether or not the Mayan Apocalypse happens, this could be the last Suburban Sprawl Holiday comp! If it is, eleven years ain’t a bad run. Zach Curd has given us another treat to listen under the mistletoe. As always a huge variety of artists (most of which I never heard of) donate tracks here. A specific track here not to miss is Andy Dick and Willie Wisely singing “Happy B-Day J.C.” And if you missed samplers of years past, they are available too.
The JAC “I See Things Differently” Greatest Xmas Hits
Joe Algeri (Jack & the Beanstalk, The Britannicas) is a songwriter/producer from Perth, Western Australia who is also know as The JAC. He’s got an off beat sense of humor and an instinct for great rock and roll. Listen to the highlights “Merry Christmas (round the world)” and the surf-syled “Psychotic Psummer.” Lots of great music here, its even better than his recent Faux Pas album. The bittersweet humor of “Santa All I Want (Is Cindy Brady) ” and “Computer Xmas” are also sure to impress. It also includes tracks from his other bands, The Britannicas and Green Beetles.
Joe Giddings “Christmas Morning” Single
Joe has contributed to my Fest soundtrack, so in honor of that I am promoting his new Christmas single “Christmas Morning.” It’s only a dollar and worth every penny as Joe breaks out the sleigh bells and harmonies here.
Bandcamp only