Jingle, Jingle… Holiday Singles!

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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

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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

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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

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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 tour of Ice Station Zebra + a review of our comp!

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This is a fascinating tour of Ice Station Zebra, the home of producer, engineer and performer Ducky Carlisle. Filmed with Bleu, Ducky shows us around and mentions some of the great artists he’s worked with, like Mike Viola. Bleu’s next album was on our Help A Musician page (it’s been fully funded) so I expect greatness for the 2013 release.

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Shameless Self-Promotion Dept.: A big shout out goes to the blog Pop That Goes Crunch! who was kind enough to review our compilation Power Popaholic Fest Original Soundtrack Vol.1 and mention a few other compilations that are available.

Stag and Colour Me Red

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Stag “Stag”
After an impressive EP last year, Seattle’s Stag presents its new self-titled LP chock full of pretty pop melodies and big hook filled guitar riffs. Similar to Cheap Trick, Big Star, Redd Kross and Guided By Voices it blasts off with “These Times,” a strong anthem for you to get up and take action.

For those who worked in record stores “Love Her Records” is a great tribute with its Big Star riff. “Don’t Lead With Your Heart” is another melodic gem about another heartbreak, and overall there are no real duds here, although the slower tunes don’t resonate as much. Other standouts include: “Tiffany Rose,” Ides of March” with a cool horn flourish, and my favorite here -“Don’t Call Me” with its classic power pop rhythm.

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Stars and Sons “Colour Me Red”
The fantastic opener “Chance Or Such” shows this Brighton UK band moving forward from its last album and flirts with greatness here. A bit like The Eels or Supergrass mixed with Travis, the chords and harmonies are infectious with just a hint of anxiety. Its rocking that cow bell on “Effectively Dead” and then “Family Tree” has a willowy harmony in the chorus.The acoustic ballad “Brewer Street” is a brilliant tribute to a childhood memory filled with creeping menace. In fact most of the album is themed around leaving childhood behind – sometimes over the top (“Urge Yourself”) but mostly beautifully poignant. And the price is right — so pick it up!

Name your price at Bandcamp

Eytan & The Embassy and The Susan Constant

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Eytan & The Embassy “Everything Changes”
This is a band that’s grown up considerably from their debut, Brooklyn native Eytan Oren and his crew add a dose of Motown soul to their buoyant pop. “Everything Changes”  is a perfect example, with a great hook and horn accents that remind me of Squeeze. “Do It For Me” is another terrific song that is similar to the new Kurt Baker LP.

The ballad “The Things You’ve Never Done” hits that perfectly emotional note, and Eytan’s croon is like a young Elvis Costello. There is even a collaboration with Locksley on “The Good Life.” Each tune is really good, but “Good Morning Marilyn” is a richly detailed gem that shouldn’t be missed – its simply goose bump inducing. Without any filler, this looks to be the last LP to enter my year end “best of” list. These guys are the next “big” thing, so don’t miss it.

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The Susan Constant “Rayonnement”
Boston based Susan Constant is readying a new EP and they’ve released the free single “Locked Up” in advance. The debut from last year is a free download too and a good intro to this indie band with it’s poppy upbeat songs about the dark side of love. Enjoy the sharp lyrics and serious hooks – the band is Paul Sennott (guitar, vocals), Brian Kingsbury (guitar), Jim Bernat (keys,vocals), Mark Veligor (bass, vocals) and Jason Rossman (drums).

J.P. Cregan and Phil Yates

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J.P. Cregan “Elba”
JP Cregan returns with a follow up to Man Overboard. Cregan has that Nick Lowe/Elvis Costello vibe down just right, and the opener “Wreck” is a solid single. Cregan is joined by Aaron Wilson whose trumpet features prominently on this tune as well as “Here It Comes Again.”

Some really nice steel guitar work on the shuffling “I Want To Let You Know” and the “The Maritime” rocks like those classic Dylan and McGuinn collaborations. Another rich sound is found in “Saw Her on the Metro” with a more traditional power pop composition. The gentle acoustic ballads of “Wishing Blue” and “Fall With Me” provide a nice contrast. A sophomore album that proves a balanced approach of alt. country and power pop can be successful.

CD Baby

Phil Yates “Tumble Stairs”
Phil Yates makes his full time living as a math teacher, and his new EP Tumble Stairs shows he’s got an additional talent (ugh). “Good Morning To You” is a minor chord gem in the best Lindsey Buckingham tradition. The slow country “Barely There But Blowing” is a witty ballad about not “getting’ any.” Yates has a goofy sense of black humor that makes itself present in “Ninjas Vs. Zombies” and “The Bottom Of An Urn.” The only rocker here is “California Song” and “What A Shame” ends things on a bitter note. Overall an innocuous, but interesting EP.

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