In case you missed last weekend’s SNL, Paul McCartney took to the stage with his bandmates, Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray playing “Jet.” Both sidemen have solo albums out this year, but here they are in their natural element. Paul’s promoting the newest Special Edition version of “Band On The Run”
Garfields Birthday and Michael Carpenter + another free track!
Garfields Birthday “More Sense Than Money”
Brothers Shane and Simon Felton have returned since 2008’s “Let Them Eat Cake.” The Weymouth UK band has quietly been doing it’s thing on the small Pink Hedgehog label. This album is chockfull of smart tunes with combinations of crunchy guitars and soft harmonies. “Cool Your Jets” is a great opening single and “I See Shadows” is a dreamy smooth pop song with Simon’s vocal floating above the melody. “Cambridge” is another soft pop gem that stands alongside Chad and Jeremy’s classics. These ballads are where the brothers shine, but the lyrical story and melody works perfect on the excellent mid-tempo “Carry On Karaoke.” This is so much stronger than anything they’ve done before, and the harmonies go into overdrive on “Future Song.” Like a softer version of Teenage Fanclub, this is one album sure to warm your heart over the holidays.
Michael Carpenter & The Cuban Heels “The Incomplete Cuban Heels”
This album gathers tracks from “Give The Dog A Bone” and “New Dog Old Tricks” (both are sold out EPs) and represents a “greatest hits” of Carpenter’s alt-country styled bar band. The Cuban Heels consist of Casey Atkins on guitar (Perry Keyes, James Cooper), Russell Crawford on drums (solo artist), Charlie Lee on bass (Too Many Guitars) & Jadey O’Regan on piano (Big Radio). Carpenter and the band had many sessions during 2008-2010 period, and if you like The Black Crows, Dylan, Wilco, or Tom Petty this collection is for you.
Greg Pope "Blue Ocean Sky" FREE DOWNLOAD
Christmas comes early with this gift from Greg Pope. His new album Blue Ocean Sky contains the same impeccable rock we’ve come to love and make many top ten lists every year (including ours). The opener “The Awful Whisper” has a great Posies meets Bad Company styled wall of guitar sound. “My Resignation” boasts early Who mod-era abrupt guitar riffs and “Head Above Water” channels a little Argent with Greg’s unique guitar and drum interplay.
The brilliance continues with “I Tried To Like You” a jangle filled delight and the remaining tracks are equally impressive. The catchiness of the melodies on the album’s second half don’t reach the highs of the earlier tracks, but you’ve got Greg’s holiday track from last year “Christmas Snow” and the majestic closer “Keeping A Band Together” to round things out. It’s tough to come up with adjectives that really describe how good Pope is at his job – like all the power pop legends, we’ve come to expect greatness at this point. Best of all, this album is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD until December 20.
Radio Days "Christmas Time" FREE DOWNLOAD
Those mop topped lads from Italy have a goofy video and a nice free download for you. Oh yeah they are also pluggin’ their newest album C’est La Vie.
Anny Celsi "Christmas In The Pines"
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.