Giving thanks this holiday season

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While you are passing out leftover turkey over the next couple of days, there are quite a bit of NEW holiday releases out there to help cure the post-Thanksgiving blues. So let loose those holiday songs!

Greg Pope “Christmas Snow”

When the king of power pop plays we listen, even if it’s one song. Being from the South, Greg rarely gets any snow on Christmas, so when it comes its extra special. Based on a poem that he used to recite to his four year old, I’m glad he made it into a song we all can enjoy.
MySpace | Amazon

Jana Peri “I Hate The Holidays”

After a hearing her single on the IPO compilation, this was the next logical step. Peri is a true talent, and for those with a bit of Scrooge in your step, check out the single on My Space – soon to appear on CD Baby.
MySpace | CD Baby

Andy Goldberg “Jingle Jangle Pop” EP

It wouldn’t really be the holidays without Andy Goldberg and his tune “Chanukah Guy” about a jew who loves Christmas, featuring Rich Pagano from The Fab Faux on drums. The EP also contains new songs from Andy’s other pop group The Sun Kings – shine a light this season with an excellent holiday EP only at iTunes. Get any of The Goldbergs other CDs on CD Baby.
MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes

Andrew Ripp “Blue Sky Christmas” EP

Criminally underrated, Andrew Ripp has a tremendous vocal, and here it provides with a neat little holiday EP for FREE when you spread the word with Noise Trade. In all a total of three songs, it’s a perfect addition to your holiday music mix.
MySpace | NoiseTrade

David Dewese “Next Christmas”

Forget some meager little holiday single or EP. David Dewese has full blown Christmas album here, listen to the entire thing streaming from his website. A mix of traditional songs (“Silent Night”) and a few originals (“Still, Still, Still”). Done with catchy guitar and piano it’s so far my favorite holiday album.
David’s Website | MySpace | Itunes
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The Muppets "Bohemian Rhapsody"

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How can you not enjoy this one — I love Animal forgetting the lyrics and just yelling “Mama! Mama! Mama!” and Beaker’s high notes. Freddy is giving a big thumbs up from heaven. I loved all those classic performances on the Muppet Show, now you can see it all again on DVD.

The Muppet Show – Season One (Special Edition)

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Girl in A Coma. The Power Popaholic interview.

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Another good month as far as interviews go, San Antonio trio Girl In A Coma is comprised of siblings Nina and Phanie Diaz, and complemented by childhood friend Jenn Alva on bass. I was lucky enough to have Nina for a few minutes, and I interviewed her for The Rock and Roll Report. If you’d like to know why they are such an exciting band, check out my review of the new album. Even more musician interviews are coming, so check back often on Power Popaholic!

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Anny Celsi "Tangle-Free World"

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If you combine equal parts of Laurie Biagini and The Gripweeds Kristin Pinell, you may likely end up with Anny Celsi. Anny Celsi is a west coast musician with links to Brian Wilson band alum Nelson Bragg, who produced the album. The title track is a good example of the Byrdsian jangle and exquisite psyche-pop harmonies perfect for a long car ride. Anny’s follow up song “Thanksgiving In Hollywood” starts slow but grows to a rich folk tapestry of guitars, and then she does a country ballad on “First Love Freezes” with a melancholy, but beautiful vocal lead. The Motown soul balladry of “Now You Can Hurt Me” is a nice change of pace here, that compares well with those classic girl groups of the 60’s. A bit of Bacharach styled pop is visible on “Own Sweet Time,” and it’s a gorgeous tune but I expected Anny to belt this one out, and her voice just stays too gentle and sweet here. A cover of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra’s “Some Velvet Morning” (with Bragg and additional members of Brian Wilson’s band) is so effective, I would be really cool with a full album of this type of material (okay guys, get to work). Another highlight here is the strong hook of “Piece of Heaven,” full of jangle guitars and floating background harmonies. Anny is super talented here and the production work is superb as well. Fans of classic sixties pop influences should pick this one up right away.

My Space | CD Baby

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Sarakula and The Spongetones present Jamie & Steve

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Sarakula “City Heart”

Aussie singer songwriter Joel Sarakula is similar to fan favorite Jeff Litman, in that they both started as classically trained musicians and then set forth a mission to pursue pop perfection. The second album (check out the debut Souvenirs) is an excellent radio friendly treat. “Turn It Up” has just a touch of that 70’s Billy Joel vibe mixed with Neil Finn – and it’s irresistible. With it’s strong piano melodies and pretty sweet lyrics, “Matchstick Girl” is another treat that sticks in your head as well. The production is clean, but not overly slick, even though the dramatics are turned up for “Driving With The Devil.” The album sags a little in the middle with “Breathing Again,” and then it goes all Steely Dan with “Better Late Than Never.” If you also enjoy McCartney styled pop, it’s hard not to enjoy this disc. “Caught In The Middle” is another bouncy piano gem, that will make your feet tap and your head bop. And “Marlene” is a fast-paced direct descendant of Billy Joel’s “Laura.” Sarakula is currently on tour with fellow Australian Bob Evans, and what a cool double bill. This is simply another great pop artist that would normally fall under the radar.

MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

The Spongetones present Jamie and Steve “English Afterthoughts”

I’m not sure why Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel needed to release this under their own names, but it’s a typical awesome Spongetones album. The Beatle-isms continue here, with great melodies and Jamies’ amazing guitar grooves. Quickly it starts off the ground with “Emily’s Ghost” and “Fly Girl” which highlight the duos angelic harmonies. “Let’s Don’t Count This One” is a Tom Petty styled pop guitar jangle and the Gerry & The Pacemaker styled Merseybeat ballads like “English Afternoon” and “Let Me Back In” are both short and sweet. The standout track here is “Between The Lines” with a daring dual melodic leads and a pile of hooks. The only small misstep might be “Do Be Cruel” as the song seems a bit strained, despite the wonderful background vocals. “Feeling You Are Watching Me” is another stroke of melodic brilliance and when you listen to it all, it’s consistently excellent – so once again no filler anywhere. I hope Jamie and Steve keep pumping out music. I can’t get enough of these guys, so it’s an easy recommendation.

MySpace | emusic | Amazon

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