Anny Celsi had a great debut and this year has a new treat. Fresh as Oregon snow, a new holiday tune – “Christmas in the Pines”. It features Nelson Bragg (Brian Wilson Band) on acoustic guitars, percussion and backing vocals – Paul Lacques (I See Hawks in LA) on lap steel, and Carl Byron (Ben Vaughn, Syd Straw, Michelle Shocked, etc.) on accordion. Buy this beautiful single on CD Baby.
Category: Holiday Music
Holiday Treats from Kool Kat and Popboomerang
Various Artists “A Kool Kat Kristmas”
Wow! A real gift this season is this album full of great original power pop compositions with a Christmas theme. Maple Mars “Christmas Time In The City” has California-styled harmonies and brilliant melodies. The Smith Brothers give us “Every Day Is Like Christmas” with requisite hand claps in the catchy chorus. The Parallax Project gives us a tender rockin’ “All I Want For Christmas Is A Chance.”And I love the Britannicas hilarious “Chris Hillman Christmas” full of country twang and side-splitting lyrics (“I’d rather go to jail than see The Eagles re-form again”). Andy Goldberg does great double-duty with The Sun Kings “Santa’s Calling” and the positively wonderful “Channukah Guy.” Every artist puts forth a good track, so there’s no filler or coal to be found in this stocking. You should get this CD for another reason: $5 of every purchase will be donated to The Susan Giblin Foundation, named for the late wife of Mike Giblin (Parallax Project) who’s goal was to support animal wellness and welfare. Get this excellent compilation and an angel gets it’s wings too (really!)
MySpace | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon
Various Artists “Popboomerang 2010 X-Mas Party Sampler”
Popboomerang Records is an Australian music label formed by Scott Thurling that specialises in all forms of melodic pop and rock (power pop, jangle, folk & punk pop). I’m familiar with many past artists, but Scotty’s got a new crop of talent for this compilation. This holiday season we get a free sampler from the label with a few standouts, including Celadore’s exciting version of “Rocking Around The X-Mas Tree” and the solid vocals and horns of D.Rogers “Knocked Down The House.” Almost no traditional holiday music here but, fans of punk-pop like Shonen Knife will appreciate The Solomons “Evening Empire” and Georgia Field’s gentle folk ballad “Christmas Ribbon.” It’s a free download, so drink it in and be merry!
Popboomerang | Free Download from Bandcamp
Various Artists "Rockin the Mistletoe from SideBMusic"
Rockin’ The Mistletoe is a holiday compilation from pop/rock label SideBMusic that’s a real holiday treat. Starting with an elaborate piano rhythm by Grammy Award winner Scott Bennett, it will definitely put you in a festive mood. Another pop gem comes from the amazing Chris English on “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” full of dulcet tones. “Christmas Morning” by James Carter Cathcart is the definition of a traditional holiday pop ballad.
It’s not all serious either, as “The Christmas Bunny” is a Beach Boys styled romp about the Easter Bunny taking over Santa’s job during an untimely sick day. There is also a jazzy ballad from The Zummos,” There Won’t Be A Christmas Without You” full of cool harmonica flourishes. Some SideB favorites make appearances, like Richard Snow and Laurie Biagini and they continue the Wilsonesque Christmas vibe. More gems include Rob Bonfiglio’s “Warm Lovin’ Christmastime” and the warm strums of Paulina Logan’s “Not Alone At Christmas.” And even though it’s less “rockin” than other holiday compilations, with the addition of songs by Taylor Mills and Eric Matthews, you’ve got a mighty fine chestnut.
SideBMusic | CDBaby | Amazon
Ho Ho Holiday Singles!
Jana Peri “I Hate The Holidays (But I Love Spending Them With You)”
Jana came out with his catchy single last year, but it’s worth posting again. Jana also has a new song “Gallery Whore” which was inspired by her love of art galley openings around NYC, where schmoozing, free wine and cheese are part of the thrill. Fans of Blondie will really love this new single, along with the holiday one.
MySpace | CD Baby
The Attack “Father Christmas”
The Attack are a Florida-based group that intentionally straddles the line between classic hardcore and old school melodic street punk. You won’t get stockings hung with care or sugar plum faries, it’s more like machine guns, unemployment, and youth mobs run amuck through this dark Christmas classic by The Kinks.
Deer Tick “Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!”
It’s a Holiday surprise from Deer Tick! The indie favorites just released this holiday EP, featuring the song “Christmas All Summer Long,” sung by John McCauley and the Tony Clifton-esque “Holy Shit, It¹s Christmas!” sung by Ian O’Neil. It’s got a rough garage rock feel, not too far removed from those old Mojo Nixon chestnuts from the 90’s.
The Brigadier “6 Christmas Tales” EP
Have a Brigadier holiday with this collection of sentimental and nostalgic pop songs about the many facets of Christmas. Perfect for those chestnut roasting nights full of jingling bells and jangling guitars. After listening to The Attack and Deer Tick, you may want to take a shower and then listen to this.
MySpace | CD Baby
The Davenports FREE single
“Whore for The Holidays”
“Whore for The Holidays”
This is an awesome Christmas song. Helmed by Scott Klass the band features Tommy Borscheid, Angela Webster and Karyn LeSuer. Building on the popcraft of their two previous critically acclaimed records—Speaking of The Davenports and Hi-tech Lowlife—”Whore” is a prelude to The Davenports’ new record, Why the Great Gallop coming in January. Review on that coming soon!