Eric Carmen brings in the New Year.

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One of the most enduring power pop legends is Eric Carmen (The Raspberries). Just in time for the start of 2014, “Brand New Year” is Eric Carmen’s first new recording in over 15 years, finding the Artist in a reflective and optimistic mood for the future, both lyrically and sonically. This new song is the first premiere from the upcoming Legacy Recordings 30 track career retrospective, “The Essential Eric Carmen” – set for release March 11, 2014.

The Power Popaholic Top 25 Best albums of 2013

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Here is the full list:

  1. Wyatt Funderburk – Novel and Profane
  2. Corin Ashley – New Lion Terraces
  3. Secret Friend – Time Machine
  4. The Nines – The Nines
  5. Nick Piunti – 13 in My Head
  6. Lisa Mychols – Above, Beyond & In between
  7. Glenn Case – Throw Money
  8. The Connection – Let It Rock!
  9. Stephen Lawrenson – Obscuriosity
  10. The Junior League – You Should Be Happy
  11. The Grapes of Wrath – High Road
  12. The Candle Thieves – All’s Well That Ends Well
  13. Gleeson – Gleeson II
  14. Greg Pope – Pop Motion Animation
  15. Agony Aunts – Big Cinnamon
  16. The Bye Bye Blackbirds – We Need The Rain
  17. Eric Barao – Eric Barao
  18. Shake Some Action – Full Fathom Five
  19. Valley Lodge – Use Your Weapons
  20. Vegas With Randolph – Rings Around The Sun
  21. Et Tu Bruce – Suburban Sunshine
  22. Magic Eight Ball – Sorry We’re Late But We’re Worth The Wait
  23. Parthenon Huxley – Thank You Bethesda
  24. Frank Bango – Touchy Feely
  25. The Orange Peels – Sun Moon

Notable mentions/favorites (yes I loved these albums too in no special order):

Top 5 EP releases of 2013

  1. Nick Capaldi – The Golden Summer
  2. Honeychain – Futura
  3. Timmy Sean – East Coast Girls
  4. Justin Kline – Doormat
  5. The Paul and John – Everything Comes Together

Top Compilation albums of 2013

  1. Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock
  2. International Pop Overthrow – Volume 16
  3. The Beatles – Live At The BBC

This was a very tough year as I didn’t want to go over 25 albums on the main list. And for all purposes, you could swap out any of those notable mentions for anything on the list not in the top ten. I hope you support the artists mentioned above by purchasing their music. After all, you’ve got to do something with all those gift cards after the holidays!

If you’d like to hear some complete versions of songs from my top ten and more be sure to tune-in to internet radio 11L Radio New York International on Sunday evening (12/29/13) at 7:30pm EST.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jeff Litman and Smalltown Poets

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Jeff Litman’s Christmas cover of a Beach Boys classic is perfect for a quiet Christmas eve night with a warm beverage in your hand. In addition, Jeff’s got a very cool NEW single out for “name-your-price.”  You can even send this single as a gift. Check it out!  

The Smalltown Poets had a really brilliant Christmas album last year. These guys know their way around a three part harmonies or two. This time the new album is Under The New Sun and if you buy The Smalltown Poets Christmas on Bandcamp it comes included for FREE.

A Pop Garden Christmas and The Winter Wonderband

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“A Pop Garden Christmas” Adam Waltemire the host of WMEL’s Pop Garden Radio brings us this basket of Christmas cheer in the form of 23 truly great holiday songs. He’s gathered tracks  from power pop musicians including Lannie Flower’s “Chritsmas With Out You” we featured last week. It’s an all-star cast: Lisa Mychols, Timmy Sean, Mimi Betinis, Vegas With Randolph and many more. Worth every shiny penny on Bandcamp.

“The Christmas Waltz” If you’d like a more traditional holiday approach towards music. Eric Crugnale and a group of musician friends (including Kevin Bents) and family made this album as a way to christen his new home studio, Fairway Sound. Check out the angelic harmonies on “The Christmas Song.” Get it at a “Name your own price.”