Lopez Blogs

December is just whizzing by too fast for my liking. It's the build up to Christmas that is important to me - once it's arrived, I'm pretty much over it. So this weekend as well as the all important catch up with friends thing, I've immersed myself in all things Christmas - the tree went up, the stockings, the festive trimmings and it all looks jolly spectacular. So it's another week of festive goodies for you. Some new. Some old. Some of no interest whatsoever :P

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

Hang on just a cotton picking minute (whatever that means)! After winning over the hearts of the nation (if not for their singing, then not for whinging about how everyone hated them) on the X-factor with their entertaining, energetic but somewhat (!) crap performances, Jedward have gone on to become a bit of a phenomenon on this fair isle. They made a quick appearance at the annual Jingle Bells Ball yesterday which is frankly THE place for pop acts to hawk their wares in December (think a seasonal Smash Hits Roadshow)! They not only did their "legendary" performance of Under Pressure/Ice Ice Baby but managed to whip out a version (to be kind) of I Wish It Could be Christmas everyday (A*teens version is still untoppable). Is it totally unfeasible to believe that they could have some sort of novelty pop career by this time next year and be troubling the charts with shouty-rap pop in Christmas 2010? A troubling thought indeed, but I can't help but like the little scamps. Love how they have become unwitting fashion icons too! Amaze!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

I've never really given the Strokes much time, despite all their critical acclaim. I watch far too much tv as it is, so fitting the patchy Saturday Night Live into my schedule is just too much of a commitment. So really it's a little bit of a miracle that I came across I Wish It Was Christmas Today by Julian Casablancas at all. Apparently it is a cover of a song performed on the aforementioned SNL that Strokes member Julian has chosen to give a straight forward rock treatment to and whip out as an almost instant festive classic. Yes it is a little bit fuzzed up garage punk sounding, but considering it's origins it's actually turned out to be quite sweet, infinitely catchy and eminently hummable. I'm surprised how much I like this spunky slice of christmas yule - and it makes me want to dig out all the tracks on the list below :) Perhaps I should check out the latest solo album from Mr Casablancas after all?!

CHRISTMAS PAST:

Various rock-esque classics that I want to listen to after hearing I Wish It Was Christmas Today...

1. The Ramones ~ Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight): It's lively, direct, energetic, a little bit angry and loud. Just like family gatherings at Christmas actually :)
2. No Doubt ~ Oi To The World: Ah back when No Doubt were pogoing all over the place with their own brand of ska-pop, this festive joy came slipping from their lips with all pseudo English accents and anachronisms. Quite delightful
3. Blues Traveller ~ Christmas: Quite simply a beautiful effort about being a bit indifferent to Christmas, then getting totally caught up in the spirit of it all. Lovely lovely melody and quite seasonal sounding in the instrumental bits too. Gorgeous.
4. The Darkness ~ Christmas time (don't let the bells end): Well they certainly milked their fifteen minutes of fame didn't they? But one has to give them props for coming out with a balls to the wall xmas tune full of tubular bells, kiddies choirs and santa's special magic. It's bombastic and amazing, and deserves to be played loud at every christmas party!

Coming soon - christmas present from Leighton Meester, Ronan Keating, operatic pop, Tori Amos and more; christmas past from novelty pop, the "steps" era, debbie gibson, barenaked ladies, the santa babies, Mariah (& covers) and more; and how my favourite film of the decade (and ever) turned out to be a Christmas extravaganza...