Happy Holidays from Power Popaholic!

[imagemap map=”imgmap_css_container_imgmap20111213224458″ direct=1 id=”imgmap20111213224458″ img=”http://www.powerpopaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/presents.jpg?1323834316446″] [area shape=rect alt=”Joe Giddings” title=”Joe Giddings” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuETiPTl0NY”]6,3,108,105[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Mimi Betinis” title=”Mimi Betinis” url=”http://youtu.be/WGaWqKI0OaU”]112,2,203,105[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”ULYSSES” title=”ULYSSES” url=”http://youtu.be/GlhMKeX9ybU”]209,3,298,106[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Grip Weeds” title=”Grip Weeds” url=”http://youtu.be/1PaOuk5iHbo”]301,3,390,106[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”The Kik” title=”The Kik” url=”http://youtu.be/rVhK0DJI__Y”]5,114,103,205[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”The Mailbooz” title=”The Mailbooz” url=”http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/themalibooz/from/powerpopaholic”]111,115,202,205[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Cirrone” title=”Cirrone” url=”http://cirrone.bandcamp.com/track/christmas-sun”]208,115,297,205[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Penguin Party” title=”Penguin Party” url=”http://penguinparty.bandcamp.com/track/its-only-christmas-itll-soon-be-over-2011-remaster”]301,116,391,205[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Lannie Flowers” title=”Lannie Flowers” url=”http://soundcloud.com/lannieflowers/01-christmas-without-you”]7,211,103,296[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Lisa Mychols” title=”Lisa Mychols” url=”http://youtu.be/_qYRerXSy0Y”]114,212,202,294[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”Mike Viola” title=”Mike Viola” url=”http://youtu.be/z_uKRV_ICeA”]212,214,298,294[/area] [area shape=rect alt=”The Candle Thieves” title=”The Candle Thieves” url=”http://soundcloud.com/thecandlethieves/when-santa-claus-comes-to-town”]306,214,395,293[/area] [/imagemap]

It’s time for holiday presents! Some videos, some free downloads, all related to this festive time of year. I left lots of goodies for my loyal readers – just click on a gift box to see each “present.” Happy Holidays to all the Power Popaholics out there!

Freebie Monday: Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms + Destroy This Place

Ryan Allen is singer and guitarist for the band, The Friendly Foes and he is a wonderfully bi-polar rocker. His power pop debut is “Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms” an excellent selection of terrific guitar pop. Opening with the melodic “Oh Yeah” it showcases his solid songwriting chops and excellent guitar work. Next the handclaps, tambourine and harmonies are all over the amazing “Why Can’t I Sleep?”  The dense production on “That’s How I Came To Be” doesn’t disguise the strong melody. And his frustrations about shyness are fully evident on the ballad “Kids R Dicks” in best Big Star mode. Every song here is impressive — it’s one of the best releases this year easily! This album alone earns a top ten nod, but there is more…

Ryan has a darker side, shown in his second project Destroy This Place with “Resurrect The Mammoth.” Here Ryan gets a bit louder, with the opening thunderous feedback and pounding chords on “Safe To Say” similar in style to Guided By Voices. The music remains catchy here on the solid “All That Glitters” and “Hold Tights” so fans of GBV, Ted Leo and The Eels will find plenty to enjoy here. And as a special holiday gift, Ryan is giving both albums to you all as a FREE download.

Free Download of Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms | Free Download of Destroy The Place

Freebies for Tuesday: Motel Beds, The Green Beetles, Cricketbows

Rather than spin reviews, it makes more sense to just appreciate the fact that these bands are offering up FREE downloads:
Motel Beds “Feelings” and “Sunfried Dreams”
Excellent retro fuzz guitar pop here makes for a wonderful holiday gift to yourself.

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The Green Beatles “The Basement”
For fans of The Britannicas,  Herb Eimerman and crew return with this free single. Enjoy!

Cricketbows “Home”
Okay for a more challenging listen, we have the acid drenched trip presented by head guru Rev. Dr. Chad Wells (celebrated Tattoo Artist and lead droog in the legendary punk band The Jackalopes) – do not listen to this while operating heavy machinery!

Hurricane Fighter Plane and The NewNo2

Hurricane Fighter Plane “s/t” EP
Fans of Rainbow Quartz retro bands like the Resonars and Brit-pop bands like Oasis will appreciate this one. Classic influences are easily spotted (The Who, Small Faces, The Beatles) and dutifully applied. The band opens with the Mod rhythms of “Moonlight Through The Norfolk Pines” filled with Who-styled high energy guitar riffs. “Come Back To Me” demonstrates lead singer  Wesley Fuller’s uncanny ability to channel Noel Gallagher and the chiming chords of “It Won’t Last” make it a triumphant pop single that’s sure to linger – it belongs on your ipod now. And the band knows harmonies too, just check out the amazing “Free As The Wind.” Every tune here is filled with short, sharp, hooks guaranteed to please. An great debut and it only costs five bucks – so get it!

Facebook | Bandcamp

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TheNewNo2 “EP002” EP
The second  EP from Dhani Harrison (George’s son) collects several singles including “Live A Lie” featuring Regina Spektor as well as rapper RZA on “Mr. President.”  Fans of his dad’s somber approach will find a lot to like on “Wide Awake.” The track is a slow techno-soul ballad with a solid vocal, slow beat and spacey flourishes. “Live A Lie” is another exotic single with the flavor of a smokey lounge and Ms. Spektor’s cooing background vocal. You can get this single free on The NewNo2 Facebook page. I wasn’t thrilled with the rap, which obviously panders to Obama supporters, but maybe we can expect something more upbeat on the next EP.

Amazon | Itunes | Facebook

Power Popaholic hidden treasures

Visit the Power Popaholic Facebook page and you’ll find a chestful of FREE power pop goodies from some new artists I picked!

If you’ve never “liked” us, please do and enjoy the music for your last week of summer. If you like any of the music, please spread the word and get your friends to visit power popaholic.com – we’re looking for more fans!