Here’s Howie’s list in no particular order (unlike mine which was precise). He may have stuff from earlier in the year, but the years aren’t divided so neatly anymore. Was gonna include stuff from 2010 that he bought this year. Doesn’t work. Different year.
Dwight Twilley – Soundtrack (Twilley’s most inspired album in some time and the last with the late great guitar of Bill Pitcovk IV. He was a huge part of the Twilley and Phil Seymour sound. He will be missed.)
The Hollies – Look Through Any Window 1963-1975 DVD (Not much has been told of the Hollies story and these guys do it very nicely with complete performances in between. You can also play just the songs without the bio. Fantastic to see these videos! These are the same folks that did the Small Faces DVD I love so much.)
The Grip Weeds – Under the Influence of Christmas (I love power pop and psych-pop Christmas albums and was suprised to find this gem awaiting me this year. It includes help from Mark Lindsay, The Smithereens and others. and yes it’s that Mark Lindsay.)
The Smithereens – 2011 (Their first album of all new material in the 21st century rocks and pops as only the Smithereens do!)
Phil Seymour – Archive Series 2 (Dwight Twilley’s former partner has been gone from this plane for some time now, but his solo music can now live on on CD finally. A previous unreleased mix of his 2nd album with tons of unreleased bonus tracks from the same time period. Heaven. Thanks Saul Davis.)
The Bangles – Sweethearts of the Sun (If there was a girl group made for me, this one is it. Very retro and very nice to hear these ladies do their version of “that sound.” with co-production by Matthew Sweet no less.)
Beach Boys – Smile Sessions (I have enjoyed bootlegs of this over the years and the Brian Wilson version a few years ago. Nice to have this official 2 disc version at last. Earth shattering? No, but really good to finally hear it this way.)
Research Turtles – Mankiller vol 1 (Lake Charles, LA band’s latest is a masterful step up from their eponymous CD of a few years ago. Power pop of the future. Watch for it or buy it now.)
Nirvana – Live at the Paramount DVD (The Halloween show at the Paramount in Seattle 1991 just before they dominated the number one spot for Christmas. It’s about time. Smells Like Teen Spirit wasn’t way too old yet and the band was mostly energetic for the home town audience. Great 5.1 sound.