On the ShockYa list for the Top Ten Albums of 2011, which is coming soon, is AWOLNATION’s “Megalithic Symphony”. The 14 track debut album, which dropped March 15th via Red Bull Records, blended the indie rock vocals of Aaron Bruno with an electronic tempo. These synthesized background beats are complex and take to the darker side of the electronica genre. Pop-techno may not be everybody’s calling, but with albums like “Megalithic Symphony”, rock-techno could be the genre to proudly convert those to the eletronica side.

So, thanks AWOLNATION for opening up the music doors to fans of more than one genre. Double that thanks because AWOL has given you a free six song Holiday EP, which features the songs, Silent Nation, MF, a live version of the hit single, Sail and other live renditions of fan favorites. The free EP can be downloaded here. Alright, you might as well triple the thanks. The AWOL gifts keep on coming with a holiday video featuring the exclusive AWOLNATION spaceman, who snags some of Santa’s cookies.

You can unwrap those three holiday presents before the New Year, but press play on the band’s music video for “Not Your Fault” when it is actually 2012. Why wait? Well, the quirky video will kick off your 2012 days with a smile on your face. Directed by Cameron Duddy, who also helmed the “Sail” video as welll as Bruno Mars’ video for “The Lazy Song”, the “Not Your Fault” video pays homage to classic 60s clay-mation/stop-motion animation and features the band battling the Abominable Snowman.

Congratulations to Bruno and AWOL’s bassist, David Amezcua, keyboardist and guitarist, Kenny Carkeet, drummer, Hayden Scott and guitarist, Christopher Thorn for making our Top Ten Albums of 2011.

by Lonnie Nemiroff