After a relatively warm January, we settle in and see Ryan Allen is already following up his #7 album of 2022 with a new concept album. This is a taste, we’ll review the entire LP soon. Boston’s Luddites does a good job with old-school power pop riffs, and Bulgarian singer-songwriter Ilko Birov knocks this single “Mrs. James” out of the park. Fans of Elliott Smith and Dave Davies will enjoy this. Jason Bronson and Jacob Chisenhall bring us the warmth of Floral Portrait, a slice of sunny orchestral pop in the tradition of Brian Wilson. Fans of The Wondermints will appreciate it and it’s our freebie. On a louder note, Brock Pytel (formerly of The Doughboys, the Montreal punk band and NOT Richard X. Heyman’s band) has a new single and it’s got a catchy fatalism, akin to Bob Mould playing The Rolling Stones. Onward to Spam… I mean, February!
Category: free downloads
Ho-ho-holiday music: More presents under the tree for y’all
More brand new Christmas music. Love the collaboration by Coke Belda & El Inquieto Roque here, more traditional goodies from Dropkick, and Riverboat Gamblers, We have the youth vote with The Linda Lindas, and the sexy “Hey Santa” by Cindy Lawson. The Light Music Company is Mr. Martin Newell (The Cleaners From Venus) of Essex and Ms. Rachel Love of Sussex, whose combined talents have concocted this small oeuvre of their compositions to help facilitate your enjoyment of the festive season. Before we get too dignified, The Stompers gives us what we really want for Christmas, and punk princesses The Dollyrots do the “Chipmunk Song” — OK? A last-minute addition is Kai Danzberg‘s “Last Christmas” with a different melody.
While not a Christmas tune, this is a rare one by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) hosted by fellow blogger Richard Rossi. Lots of fun!
Kai Danzberg is offering VINYL for you audiophiles
One of my long-covered artists here at Power Popaholic is Kai Danzberg. He put out his latest album Satellite earlier this year and is very much a fan of the Jellyfish, ELO, and Beatles pop styles. He even got Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish) to be part of it. It is still available on Bandcamp. But he is now trying to build demand for those looking to buy a 10″ vinyl.
So Kai has started this crowd-funded project. This can only be achieved if 100 people order the record. You will only be charged at the end of the project. If the amount of money was not reached by that time, no one will be charged.
Order the Vinyl Record
Ward White “Mezcal Moth” premiere and some pre-Thanksgiving freebies
Ward White is a unique character who is a master of evoking dark moods and anxieties. This time the art-rock crooner turns the pop notch up a bit more on his new album Ice Cream Chords with his first single “Mezcal Moth.” The album is due after 12/2.
Pre-Thanksgiving Freebies
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, I wanted to share some recommended freebies. These collections are all name-your-price, so you have no excuses. The first collection Grandma Got Run Over By A Tour Van, is a collection of goodies from punk, pop, and rock artists doing Christmas music. I like the newer original songs as opposed to the re-warmed-over covers of traditional holiday tunes, like The Sewing Club’s “Hard Candy Christmas” and Obey The Trooper’s “Tennessee Christmas.”
Too early to hear Christmas music? Some odds and ends of summer music covers, but what got me was the emo-punk version of The Beach Boys “Kokomo” by Ghost Town Remedy.
Shame on me, I never really reviewed Nat Freeberg. He’s an amazing guitarist and has a kick-ass rock and roll sound. This compilation is a perfect sampling of his work. Highlights here include “Call Me If You Want Me” and “Back of The Line.” A product of RumBar Records, and definitely an artist that deserves to be heard. The definition of a “why-have-I-never-heard-him-before-?” artist.
October EPs and Freebies: The Persian Leaps, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Rum Bar Records, Canadian Invasion, Friends of Cesar Romero, The Chords UK, Gavin Guss
New music that deserves to be heard. The Persian Leaps return with a fresh new EP, and they still impress with their solid songwriting on “Maybe Time Will Let Me Forget” and “Beautiful Inside.” It’s an early Halloween treat from The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club on the Vanishing Point EP, with creepy synths on “Every Night I’m Dying” and heavy riffs on “Why You Ghosting Me Girl?” Both are recommended. Rum Bar Records’ newest sampler is another great FREEBIE, check out the strong female rockers Cindy Lawson and Abbie Barrett. Canadian Invasion is a bit more subtle in approach, check out the mid-tempo “Swim Club,” it’s one of the better singles this month. Friends of Cesar Romero adds some garage swagger and fuzz to their new EP. Each song rocks and it’s also a FREEBIE (no excuses)! The party continues with The Chords UK, check out the anthemic opener “All For Nothing At All” with its handclaps and high-energy riffs. Finally, a single cover from Gavin Guss, was initially done by The Police, but it sounds like a perfect Nick Lowe version.