THE TRADITION CONTINUES: PHIL MCNAMARA'S ANNUAL GIVE THE GIFT OF WORMTOWN

It’s that time of year again kids. Where did the year go? If you do have any money left after paying your mortgage bill, utilities, insurance and groceries, it’s time to buy some gifts for family and loved ones. If you’re thinking about giving the gift of music, beware of those major label recordings. They’re all probably made in some big factory in New York or L.A. and in being shipped could bring with them all sorts of exotic elements, diseases, or maybe even an Asian Longhorn Beatle. You could unwittingly destroy someone’s Christmas tree. You wouldn’t want that on your conscience. Free yourself from worry and be unique at the same time by giving friends the gift of local music. You’ll be glad you did and so will they. - Phil McNamara

POP

THE AFTER HOUR – DEMO – SELF RELEASED

Local trio that likes to rock, but likes to be ambitious while doing it. They mix a singer with a highflying voice, modern rock influences, and Rush like prog. Rock breaks without the Geddy Lee squeakiness. This one might bring your niece and nephew back to ‘90s emo bands like Jawbreaker or The Promise Ring or introduce them to that sound if they were too young to catch it the first time.

http://www.myspace.com/theafterhour

THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL TIME – THE L.A. SESSION – CURVE OF THE EARTH RECORDS

O.K., you might see an inherent contradiction in my advocacy of a disc recorded in L.A., but the discs were pressed in nearby Boston. Everyone knows that C4RT are really from…the future. On this disc they deliver futuristic sounds with the super energetic keyboard driven “Nobody is Listening,” the tribal spiritualism of “Raise your Hand,” the boy band bounciness and harmonies of “Solid Bitch,” and the fist pumping anthem “Hey, Hey, Hey!”

http://www.c4rt.com

CASTINE – MR. HENRY’S WALK – SELF RELEASED

These guys appear to be relatively young, but play with a quirky style that brings back early M-TV and V66 which (not to make anyone feel old) was 25 years ago. The band’s swing and lead singer’s swagger will get you hooked. Give this to a friend and keep it local by throwing in one of those Harvey Ball smiley faces.

http://www.castinemusic.com

HEY NOW MORRIS FADER – RIDE THE FADER – SELF RELEASED

Get your piano loving groove on with this fun loving twosome. Few people are able to write love songs that are as catchy as piano player Brooks Millgate’s. Conversely no one can make being stuck in an airport or losing the same old battles bring a smile to your face, like HNMF. Get this as a stocking stuffer and throw in a little box of sweet gooey cereal.

http://www.myspace.com/heynowmorrisfader

HUCK – HUCK – ORCAPHAT RECORDS

Seven albums into the game, Huck finally achieves perfection. From the opening combination of ambience and wit to the cheery celebration of “Never See the End,” Huck takes you through a journey of love and loss. In between they check out love songs in an airport, the sameness of your hometown, and drunken fighting couples. Best of all, they bring the rock like never before. Get this for a loved one that needs rock. (Actual rock not included, but they’re cheap. You can find one on the ground.)

http://www.huckmusic.com

ROCK / METAL

IT CAME FROM PLANET MENTAL – COMPILATION – INSTANT DOGMA PRODUCTIONS

Ahh, the compilation: all sorts of bands from all genres and walks of life, getting together for the common cause of promoting our fair city’s music, its heartwarming stuff I tell you. This compilation runs the gamut from Musclecah’s fist pumping rocker, to the punk rock gone oddly retro sound of the Numbskulls, through grinding metal tunes of Epitome of Dog and Never Enough Bullets, to contemplative folk and country from Dan Chauvin, Highway Patrol, and Loose Salute. Give this to a loved one along with tickets to a space shuttle flight to Planet Mental.

http://www.instantfogma.net

MIARS - THREE SONG DEMO – SELF RELEASED

This ain’t your big brother’s jam band. Guitarist/vocalist Kayla Daly’s voice sends these songs into hyperdrive. The guitars swirl into melodic soloing and psychedelic jazz rock. The bass grooves between jammin’ funk and Primus like slapping. A fun time is had by all in three short songs.

http://www.miasmamusic.com

ASK THE ICE – TWO SONG DEMO- SELF RELEASED

From the ashes of Clinton emo greats Orange Island come a couple of great working class blues rock tunes. The acoustic/electric mix of the opener will draw you in as Gormo launches into a hard drinking blues tune about drinking hard. They keep it acoustic for the second tune a self-reflexive look at their local bar. This will give a nice kick to your eggnog.

http://www.myspace.com/asktheice

PUNK / GARAGE / SKA

THE GUNS OF NAVARONE – THE EXCITING RHYTHMS OF…-SELF RELEASED

Those crazy skankin’ kids are back with a three piece horn section, ripping through some classics by The Specials, The Skatalites, and Bob Marley among others. Make this a Christmas Eve present so that your whole family can enjoy singing along to “Message to Rudy,” “Simmer Down,” and “Monkey Man” and all the other classic Christmas tunes on this disk. Well, they’re Christmas tunes in my family anyways.

http://www.gunsofnavaronereggae.com

THE PATHETICS – DIDN’T MEAN TO OFFEND YOU – ANGRY MONKEY RECORDS

What goes better with Christmas than drunk punk? By Christmas Eve you’ll already have the drunk part down. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to sing along punk rock. Actually you don’t even have to be thoughtful, sensitive, or literate to sing along to it. These guys fit the bill just fine. You’ll find yourself singing along to “Porno Picnic Basket,” “Gimp with a Limp,” “or “Sand in your Pussy” then asking, “What did I just do?” but doesn’t that happen every time you drink anyway?

http://www.thepatheics.com

THE TIME BEINGS – JOURNEY TO TYME – DINO RECORDS

They’re not just back; they’re new and improved. Preston Wayne and new guitarist Chris Cah are slinging those garage surf riffs with exquisite taste and reckless abandon. New drummer Dave Kowalchek keeps the pace like clockwork and keeps the faith by banging on the drum set hard and loud throughout. Apparently lead singer Jay Martarano has had an epiphany and decided to sing loud and proud or not at all. On this album he doesn’t disappoint. It’s a mix of originals and garageland obscurities that fits just right.

http://www.dinorecords.com

BLUES / FOLK / ROOTS

DENIS COUGHLIN – NOCTURNAL POP JOURNAL – SELF RELEASED

A little ‘70s west coast folk rock that’s part fun and part common sense. Whether he’s giving you something to think about or something to sing along with, it’s a fun time.

speakeasy@aol.com

KEN MACY – THREE – SELF RELEASED

Ken’s got the blues. Fortunately it’s the swinging Creedence Clearwater Revival swamp rock blues. Ken and drummer Dave Haverty jump into a catchy mellow rocking groove and ride it through five bluesey tunes. “Let it Shine” has the brightness of the most optimistic of Creedence tunes. Macy comes up with some killer guitar solos on “Out of my Life” and the cheatin’ heart tune “Talkin’ in My Sleep.” Get this for the guitar aficionado in your family.

http://www.kenmacymusic.com

JON SHORT – LIVE AT TERRA BLUES N.Y.C.- SELF RELEASED

Once again we have an album recorded in the big metropolis, but one that sounds so organic that it could have been recorded at Gilrein’s or The Hotel Vernon. These 13 cuts roll nonstop as Short plucks his acoustic guitar and belts out Mississippi delta blues in a voice that emulates Robert Johnson and Leadbelly. Personal faves include the spiritual sounding “One Kind of Favor,” the speed shifting “Miss Maybelle,” and the soulful smile inducing jump blues of “Queen Bee.” Get this to cure a loved one’s blues.

http://www.jonshort.com

HOLLY HANSON – STONE WALLS AND FENCES- SELF RELEASED

While I got no actual Christmas music this year, I found something that’s just right for a quite candlelit Christmas Eve for two. Over stark accompaniment, Holly sings of romance in open field and under full moons. You might want to hold on to this one until Valentines Day.

folky1@mac.com

Well that’s it for another year, where at about half the CDs that were put out during The Worm’s peak year for CDs, 2004, when 32 came out. At this rate by next year I’ll be telling people to just buy your friend or relative a bag of weed. With it being decriminalized it will be cheaper anyways. See you next year…I hope.

(If you or your band has a new album, or EP or is about to release one, write to me at spaceguy3@charter.net and let me know how to get a hold of it. Rock On – Phil McNamara)