Whether you have a brother who digs vinyl, a sister who still loves her CDs or a cousin who refuses to listen to anything that's not digitized, there are plenty of great gift ideas for the music and comedy fan(s) in your family.
Here are 10 albums released this year by Lehigh Valley artists deserving to be placed in a family member's Christmas stocking, or added to their digital library:
FOR THE ROCK FAN
Roi and the Secret People, Truck Stop Sushi
Available as a limited edition blue vinyl LP, Truck Stop Sushi is a dynamic blast of muscular, diesel-fueled rock 'n' roll from the Easton quintet. The album features live versions of Roi and the Secret People tracks "Arizona," "Dog St.," "Mississippi Sun," and "Drive," plus a cover of Nick Cave's "Ship Song," and two new studio tracks: the cosmic rocker "Saturn Girl" and the swampy, grunge-inspired "Hungry."
For those who want the complete Truck Stop experience, add a little boost to your engine with RSP's digital-only Bento Box companion EP. Bento Box contains the Truck Stop Sushi tracks "Saturn Girl," "Hungry," "Ship Song" and a previously unreleased live recording of the foot-stomper "Maria."
Available on vinyl and digitally at roiandthesecretpeople.com.
The Crowning, The Crowning
Leading off with the Jimmy Eat World-esque "She's Running," this three-song collection from Stroudsburg's The Crowning becomes increasingly heavier as the talented Stroudsburg trio beefs up their approach with a wall of wailing guitars and a thick, crunchy grunge exterior.
Available digitally on iTunes.
FOR THE FOLK FAN
Leah Marie Fuls, You're Never Gone - EP
Anchored by the catchy up-tempo single "Let's Hang On" (which features bassist Shawn Cav and drummer Dave Deubler), You're Never Gone -- the debut effort from Phillipsburg singer-songwriter Leah Marie Fuls -- is a soothing, well-balanced blend of acoustic folk, coffeehouse pop and just a pinch of country sprinkled in for good measure.
Available on CD and digitally on iTunes.
Alex Mery and the Townsmen, Folklore (EP)
More alternative than traditional, Alex Mery and The Townsmen's debut EP is a loose-fitting mix of punk and folk that owes its roots to Dashboard Confessional and Brand New as much as it does Ryan Adams and Billy Bragg (as evidenced by the earworm of a single, "Lay Down Arms").
Available digitally on Spotify and alexmery.com.
FOR THE COUNTRY MUSIC FAN
Acoustic Kitty Project, Saturday Night
On their sophomore album, Easton's Acoustic Kitty Project slips comfortably in to a comfy, well-worn pair of dancing boots and firmly plant their feet in fertile country music soil. Those boots then take the listener on a walk through a dusty terrain of folk, Americana and straight up rock 'n' roll.
Available on CD and digitally on iTunes and Bandcamp.com.
FOR THE PUNK FAN
Darryl Lix and the High Kicks, Limber Up
Punk goes metal in this fist-pumping debut effort from Darryl Lix and the High Kicks. Lending itself to the pierced-tongue-in-cheek mid-'90s punk of NOFX and the Fat Wreck Chords stable of bands, Limber Up is a full-throttle blitzkrieg of power chords and smoking leads. Things finally slow down just in time for the acoustic album closer "Richard (Prefers Dick)." Grab your Doc Martens and hit the dance floor.
Available digitally on Bandcamp.com.
FOR THE JAZZ FAN
Shawn Cav Ensemble, Polygons
Bassist Shawn Cav follows up his debut album with 10 tunes that push the boundaries of contemporary jazz by turning the genre on its head. The music here ebbs and flows between traditional jazz, improvisation, progressive rock and funk -- most of the time within the same song. This is musical craftsmanship at its finest.
Available on CD and digitally on iTunes and Bandcamp.com.
FOR THE ALTERNATIVE FAN
Mosey Beat, Flight
On their debut full-length, Mosey Beat takes listeners on a 10-track journey through spacey prog rock, jam band, reggae and funk -- as evidenced by such left-of-center tracks as "Just Another Groovin' Space Cadet," "Miso Soup," "Intergalactic Funk," and "Death by Swine." Go ahead and take the ride.
Available on CD Baby and iTunes.
FOR THE POP FAN
Warren North, Game of Love EP
Sunsets North front-man Warren North goes solo for a four-song EP bolstered by the poppy, Top 40-ready "Game of Love." From there, North stays the course with a pair of toe-tapping, mid-tempo rockers -- "Cafe" and the horn-drenched "She's Got a Hold on Me" -- and acoustic ballad "Break the Mold."
Available digitally on iTunes.
FOR THE COMEDY FAN
Tyler Rothrock, Tyler of Nazareth, PA
Nazareth-native-turned-Manhattanite Tyler Rothrock does not hold any punches as he takes hilarious jabs at gun control, religion, sports, marriage and, mostly, himself, on Tyler of Nazareth, PA; a genuinely funny first showing from one of the Lehigh Valley's most talented comedians.
Available on CD and digitally on Bandcamp.com.