Lopez Blogs

Greetings all and a very merry Christmas to one and all. As my most favourite time of year draws to a close, I'd like - as is tradition now - to present you with my rewrite of The Night Before Christmas, and some festive contributions (that are hugely appreciated by myself) from friends of the blog. Please enjoy, have a wonderful holiday break and many positive happy wishes for a great new year :) Oh and if you have any time for cooking left, please try some of Donal "Industry" Skehan's Christmas recipes - I've been delving into them all December with brilliant results (PS, imagine if him and Simon Curtis made a record together!! Talk about dream Christmas wishes!!)

It's me again, yes how did you guess cos the last time you were really impressed! Hope you enjoy :) Sorry my head's cut off slightly! Sorry it's so dark! Sorry it's not as funny as last year! Sorry the sound's crap! Sorry I'm such a colossal failure :P Oh pooey to all that, i think it's quite good! Merry Christmas!

Ah, the lovely Sean and Sarah from Same Difference share their unique and adorable brand of festive cheer. I'm still playing the wonderful Pop (2008) album with alarming regularity and can't wait for the 2010 version. Plus their interview in Gay Times is hilarious. "I prefer a battered cod!!" It makes me all fuzzypop inside...

Love this video from gorgeous diva in waiting, Elouise. It's so picturesque Christmas card, with the fire and the tree and the oversized brooch. Oh, and that she recognises that fizzypop makes the yuletide gay :) Amazing. SuBo!! Oh and obviously I'm fully behind Elouise as the pick for Bond song in 2011, as long as 2010 gives us full studio releases of Fireman, Another Day, Pretender and One Night Only... :)

I think Adam Tyler has rapidly become one of my favourite stars to watch in 2010. He just seems so gleeful and exciteable, almost like an overstimulated puppy! And I mean that in the nicest way possible! I love that out of all the things I've written about him, his press release quotes me saying he is "a thoroughly lovely chappy". Not only has he played bongos on a makeshift drum, but he has given me a copy of his christmas song Ghost Of Christmas Past (reviewed here) to pass onto you all for a mere 24 hours! So get it while it's hot. May I just say the full version is entirely more amazing than the clip ever gave me hope it would be. Totally haunting, ethereal chimes, a melancholy vocal and morose yet engaging chorus. Full credits if you're interested of the song in the comments...


THE PICTURES:

Ah how I've become besotted with The Morning Jolt this year, hosted ably by Larry Flick and his hilarious sidekick Keith. They have really brightened up a lot of my afternoons at work (time difference) and played some great music too. Here's to a wonderful amount of amazing DJing in 2010...

Oooo and now it's time to get all bloggy for Christmas, so in order it's seasons greetings from lovely Aaron at fabtasticmusic, then festive cheer from the super Mel at Melismatic, topped off with a double ender of two photos from the fine fella Phil at Worrapolava. Hurrah!

Then there is Will W, who (along with Mel) is probably the one person I know who shares such an obsession for Starbucks and their festive flavouring. Plus he has done a rather spiffy version of Blue Christmas, which you may or may not be able to get on his blog! If you can't get it then there is the aces Christmas gift of a remix of Hollywood Ending that Will is giving away - and being played soon on the aforementioned Larry Flick's show! Looking jolly chilly in the winter wilds of Colorado is my globe trotting amigo John of PopMusicNotes whilst below them and bunkering down from the snow in Iowa is the gorgeous Dan and his ever so wonderful family. Of course, rounding off this quadrilogy is the effortlessly cool DanUk :) And under him is the fine figure of a couple Olga and Yuri who look radiant and like little Christmas angels :)


And finally, it's the witty spunkbag (i mean that lovingly) known as Dluv who gets a pic all to himself because cos quite frankly he deserves it. And it also means anyone else who wants a pic edited in before the end of Christmas eve can do so and as an extra incentive you'll be snuggled up next to Chartrigger. Amaze!

To be updated ~ new non exclusive videos from The Feeling and hopefully more pics from readers and friends! But until then...Merry Christmas y'all!!

UPDATE#1

XO will like this and hopefully help him feel a bit better :) Paloma Faith, who expertly sang about New York earlier in the year, has done a cover version of the seminal and raucous Pogues/Kirsty McColl song Fairytale of New York. It's a song that is easy to get wrong - just look at how Ronan Keating tried to tame the song a few years back! However, even with Scouting For Girls this works really well - i love the introduction of the female vocal in the intro and the choir as effective as "BING CROSBY" in the Pet Shop Boys Fizzypop Christmas number one :) Paloma is just mesmerising to watch - slight point deducted for looking like she was reading the words, but otherwise a sterling effort :)

UPDATE#2

Two very different but great Christmas songs for you now. First up is the still wonderful purveyor of piano pop tunes, Gavin Mikhail. He's put up a delightful version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. His voice is always quite pure and wonderful, and the piano arrangement is heavenly and makes it sound like the most beautiful contemporary pop song you've heard this festive season. I love songs that are just driven by piano and Gavin excels at this. If you haven't heard his anthemic should-have-been-an-x-factor-winners-song Brave, then you are doing yourself a big disservice. Check that out now, and be prepared to hear more about Gavin in the new year... Next up is a rather different Christmas entry from two merging for a common cause groups Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls. Merry Christmas Baby (Please Don't Die) is a decidedly fuzzy sounding, garage punk effort with jangling bells that is instantly quite brilliant and possibly sounds like The Ronettes would if they had been recording after one too many jack daniels. Surprisingly amazing (and dedicated to DanP76 & Phil - I think they'll like this!)

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK - CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE!

21 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake
20 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
19 ~ Industry, My Mistake (NE)
18 ~ William Young, Hopes and Fears
17 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger
16 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
15 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
14 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
13 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
12 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
11 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
10 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
09 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
08 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
07 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love
06 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
05 ~ JLS, Close To You
04 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
03 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
02 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
Christmas Number One: Pet Shop Boys ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (6 weeks)

Coming up:

• December 26th - Top 50 songs of 2009
• December 28th - Top 30 albums of 2009
• December 29th - Top 10 TV Shows of 2009 (and best shows born this decade)
• December 31st - Top 5 albums of the millenium so far...

Ah the last advent calendar blog of the year just before I go all annual christmas card post on your asses. And this year is a doozy, I tell ya. Despite lots of people cancelling because of weather and illness, the party on saturday night was quite delightful and lots of fun was had. That was me (above!) after one too many mulled wines (from marks and spencers, not home made sadly). Cleaning up on Sunday took forever, and now it is Monday and I am back at work (for 3 days) and pondering the following non-festive facts:

• Why did I wear new shoes on the walk to work today? My feet are absolutely killing me and I could barely walk the last 10 minutes...
• Why do my new shoes have such rubbish grips? I was flailing around on the ice so much I looked like a bizarro world Torville and Dean!
• Simon Curtis' Diablo is a brilliant march to work song, sets a ferocious pace (prior to the crippling pain of new shoes of course)
• Joe will probably get up to number one this week won't he, but Shayne Ward's Melt The Snow popped up on my mp3 player today and reminded me what a brilliant seasonal lush-fest that tune is.
• It's rather cold out today so I'm going to warm myself up with the latest seasonal recipe from Donal Skehan. What a whizz in the kitchen that guy is :)

The greatest movie of the decade:

It's actually quite hard to choose a movie of the decade. I'm sure the Harry Potters would be in there. Ditto Lord of the Rings. Why not Hairspray? Milk! Most the Pixar films; Shaun of the Dead; Brokeback Mountain; Slumdog Millionaire; Stardust would be pretty high on my list - see I've always gone for movies that I really connect with emotionally, over the critically acclaimed stuff. And that is why year after year every Christmas I end up watching Love Actually several times. Sure it uses every emotional manipulation trick in the book to hook you in, but it works and the various intertwined love stories set against the backdrop of hope and optimism that is the build up to Christmas. Some of the stories are amusing, some sad, some still timely (a campaign to get a more unlikely candidate to the festive number one rings as true this week as it did in the film) and some grittily and heartbreakingly real. Gorgeous backing music, as well as a delicious soundtrack (it was this film that got me into my beloved Maroon 5, thanks to use of the one of my enduring fave tracks of theirs, The Sweetest Goodbye) it's jam packed with enjoyable moments, stellar performances and festive goodness. I never ever tire of it and always find it quite lovely, actually. here are some of my favourite moments/quotes:

• "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around." (Hugh Grant's boffable Prime Minister)
• "I love that word "relationship." Covers all manner of sins, doesn't it? I fear that this has become a bad relationship; a relationship based on the President taking exactly what he wants and casually ignoring all those things that really matter to, erm... Britain. We may be a small country, but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be prepared for that."(Hugh Grant's Prime Minister in one of his more kick ass moments after Billy Bob Thornton tried to nibble Martine mcCruth's ear)
• "And he's got a big knoooooob!" (the unfeasibly named Colin Frissel, now star of the BT internet ads!)
• Any scene with Emma Thompson in - not only does she sparkle at the busy wife and mother role (particularly excelling when she nips off to the bedroom when she gets a Joni Mitchell cd for Christmas and realises her husband is a philandering fool, even in her upset she smooths down the corners of the bed), is brilliantly down to earth eating cereal with her widowed friend and has an acutely world view of Barbie, pondering whether to gift wrap the transvestite or the prostitute...
• The fact that Keira Knightley thinks it ok to smooch her husband's best friend just because he played silent night on a crappy tape recorder and held up signs saying "with any luck by next year i'll be going out with one of these girls" (holds up supermodel pics) "
  But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you - Until you look like this" (shows pictured of a mummy that is as withered as the reviews of Keira's latest play) Ok that is quite romantic, and provides me with my first sniffle of the movie
• Billy Mack telling a radio DJ that Britney Spears was a rubbish shag, calling his single a festering turd of a record, showing Parky his cock and having a horrible spikey haired bra-burner trying to oust his faithful manager. The bitch
• The bloke from the office falling in love with the bird from Gavin and Stacey while working as body doubles in nuddy movies. Gorgeous!
• The ongoing debate about Natalie's thighs and arse. Plumpy indeed!
• The inability of the aforementioned Natalie to be able to say anything without littering it with 'swears' - "where the fuck is my fucking coat!"
• Jamie and Aurelia - love transcends their language barriers. Plus I love his little stomp through the village with the townsfolk increasing in their following numbers with each step. It's like the Simpson's mob come to life! And his proposal? Quite lovely! "Yes. is being my answer. Easy question"
• The school play - the ridiculous amount of animals at the nativity ("there was more than one lobster at the birth of Jesus?"/"8 is a lot of legs David"), the cuteness of it all and the big reveal of Natalie smooching the face off PM David
• The brother with mental health problems who gives his sister a hug after she gives him a far too big scarf. Which is sweet. Earlier he tried to hit her, probably for her incessant calling him "my darling" and not shagging sexy Carlos who later got buried alive in Lost
• The completely unrealistic chase through the airport as little Sammy runs after his true love Joanna. juxtaposed with the aforementioned trek through the french village where Jamie proposes, Sammy completely eludes security and runs after the love of his life, Joanna. It's the rousing music that makes it one of my fave guilty pleasures of the movie. Poor Sammy though - not only has he just lost his mom, but he's fallen in love with a right snot of a "aren't I amazing, look at me" stage school brat!!
• Finally - brillo use of music. God Only Knows has never sounded more hopeful and uplifting as it does at the end of the film, All You Need Is Love brilliantly enhances a story book wedding and of course All I Want For christmas is You is practically the anthem of the intertwining love stories, and sung quite well by the aforementioned Joanna...

of course by the time the movie is over, I'm a) ready to watch it all over again and b) ready to listen to Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas for the umpteenth time. It really is just the festive album that both keeps on giving and is worth going back to. It's got a little something for everyone too - studied and careful vocals on songs like Silent Night and O Holy Night; she's in girl group heaven with her gospel backing choir on tracks like Santa Claus is Coming To Town and the Phil Spector amaze-athon Christmas (Baby Please Come Home); and all tender and heartbreaking on Miss You Most. it's her simply joyous and wonderful All I Want for Christmas that really is the icing (aceing?) on the cake here - it's rollicking, joyful, upbeat, giddy, optimistic, filled with sleigh bells, totally catchy and never ever sounds old. Quite simply the best original Christmas tune to appear within the last 15 years. Too much of this thing is not enough :) But do buy the album if you haven't already (chances are - you have!) It's a must have reminder of how amazing mariah can be and a pleasant surprise for anyone not really into Christmas music...

Back Weds 23rd with the 4th Annual Online Christmas Card :)

I love Christmas I do. Obviously, or I wouldn't have spunked so many posts on it recently...However, popping into town for some last minute "party favours" and christmas gifts was a bit of a mistake, as was getting a Dark Cherry Mocha first. It was blooming heaving like a fat girl's bosom. Elbows everywhere and people shuffling along at a ridiculously slow pace. I got a little bit impatient behind this one woman and muttered "Jesus Christ" a little bit too loudly. She turned around and gave me a filthy look (she was a nun - I suppose that head wimple thing should have given it away) and utterly shamed me by saying "yes, Christmas IS all about the birth of Jesus Christ" as I quickly got on the escalator, descending metaphorically into the flaming bowels of hell. Still, I soon got over it by getting some nice mulled wine from Marks and Spencers, watching the last Beautiful People (sterling job on the final episode - some great musical numbers, a tender young love story nearly coming to fruition with a smooch, and a little bit of gash. Oh there has to be a series 3!!) and wrapping Darren's christmas gifts. Tis the season to be jolly and joyful...


While i was doing a bit of Christmas wrapping, I absolutely had to pop on the effortlessly poptastic and brilliant Crackers International EP from the mighty Erasure. A festive themed EP that followed on from their career defining The Innocents album, Stop was a hi-nrg romp around the Christmas tree that still gets played at festive parties today. And don't forget to investigate the other gems on the EP too - She Won't Be Home is a maudlin little tale of families growing up and growing apart for Christmas mixed in with love and forgiveness as they move on with their lives. The morose continues with The Hardest Part and mixes well with their remake of the standard God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. However it's all aboard the party train again for Knocking At Your Door - and there are some remixes of that and Stop widely available if you fancy boogying a bit longer. The EP as a whole always reminds me of Christmas when I was 14, shedding my hefty pounds through puberty and beginning to embrace what it meant to fancy boys. Erasure held up a shining light for that and Crackers International became my go to tape (!) when I wanted to let a whole host of emotions out that I didn't really know what to do with yet. As Erasure plowed on with their career, a couple of other songs were released during the festive season that I always add to the EP playlist. Even though they were nothing to do with Christmas, they always get associated with that time of year because that's when I played them most - You Surround Me (from Wild) is a gorgeous electro-ballad, as is the marvelous Am I Right (from Chorus), both showcasing how magnificent Andy Bell can sound in lower register and making me fall in love with a slower, more melancholy Erasure (preparing me for the amazing 1993 Erasure album perfectly). So dig out Crackers International, or go buy it. Lovely pop any time of year...

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Madonna, Revolver
20 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
19 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake
18 ~ William Young, Hopes and Fears
17 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
16 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger
15 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love (NE)
14 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
13 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
12 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
11 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
10 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
09 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
08 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
07 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
06 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
05 ~ JLS, Close To You
04 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
03 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me (VID)
02 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
01 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (5 weeks)

It's Christmas in a week and a day, and I just can't figure out what I'm gonna say... oh wait, that's coming up in a moment. I'm right enjoying this Christmas posts me. And I was dead excited today when it started to snow and it settled on the ground outside the office window. I absolutely had to tear myself away from The Morning Jolt (more on that later too) and run out to frolick in the snow and live the life of riley. Unfortunately, it was the life of Mavis Riley so it all went a bit shit really, because the snow was dead slushy, so when I was attempting a snow angel (what was I thinking? Was I even thinking at all?!)I just got really wet and cold and had to spend the rest of my work afternoon just looking like I had pissed myself. Classy. Anyway, on with today's post. Yay to snow! Boo to snow if it delays my flight on Christmas Day!!

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

Ah, Dangerous Muse. They seem to have been floating around the periphery of being massive for quite some time now. I was entirely obsessed with Rejection and Give Me Danger, and thought Everyday is Halloween was quite nice. Then they sort of disappeared and I was all worried they would just disappear like so many great "buzzy" acts before them. But no! They are back with a song called I Want It All which isn't a Bananarama cover, but actually a seductive synth tune with more of a rock edge than their previous stuff. It's a sizzling hot tune that is dark and dangerous in it's intent, and furiously agressive in it's execution. What results from this is a great tune that shows they haven't lost their touch at all. Disappointingly no album news yet, but they did pop up for a great chat with Larry Flick today where Larry fully probed the boys and compared their work of a few years back to the kind of stuff Lady Cuckoo is getting kudos for now. You're preaching to the choir! Testify! Anyway, great to have DM back and this will sound amaze at festive parties all around the country. Plus the boys continue their obsession with bondage images in their work, and who is gonna complain about that?!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Oh em gee. The Saturdays are probably one of the most schizophrenic groups around when it comes to pop. This can be quite off putting. But when they get it right (and aren't being absolutely desperate on twitter), they don't half belt out a corking tune. Not only did they do a rather good version of their new single Ego today acoustically on Live Lounge, but they whipped out a slinky version of Winter Wonderland which made me feel peppermint mocha=ish from my head to my toes. It's moments like this that a) make me thank god it's Christmas in a dramatic Freddy Mercury fashion and b) think hmmm, if they just got it together and were a bit more cohesive, they still have the makings of a fine pop group. But for now I'll actually just enjoy trolling through their winter wonderland (which is about 3 times less impressive than the Jason Mraz or Annie Lennox version, but still quite good in today's pop climate...) Check with Ken for more detail :P

Another Christmas treat for this year that has appeared in the ether of online music today is a rather marvelous new tune from the very lovely Adam Tyler. It's called Ghost of Christmas Past and is a rather downbeat tune with overtones of gothic magic to it. His voice sounds absolutely tremendous in the lower register as he toasts the lost love from christmases gone by. It's very melancholy, and there are some great adlibs in the background of the chorus that all add to the haunted atmosphere. I think the image above is a great representation of the music. I've said before that loneliness at Christmas seems so much sadder and that's encapsulated in the line "while all the world is celebrating/I stand alone" My only complaint is it's only a clip of a song and I need to hear the full version. Definitely worth 1m48secs of your time though...

CHRISTMAS PAST:

Ah, right. Here is where "it's Christmas in a week and a day" comes in! Partly because it is! And partly because I simply can't do a cavalcade of Christmas posts without mentioned the santa of sweden, mr Magnus Carlsson! Much like myself, he's hugely invested in Christmas and has probably churned out as many festive tunes now as he has regular ace pop malarkies. Two of my favourites that I keep returning to are the sumptuous 60s influenced Wrap Myself in Paper (where the blog post title/quotes come from) and coca-cola-esque Wonderful Dreams (Holidays Are Coming). Both quite decent pop tunes in and of themself, he comes across like a male Emma Bunton (from her last 2 albums), a 60s chantreuse but in confident male form! And as luck would have it, he's done a few new Christmas songs this year that don't really break his mould. The best of these in the jingle bell shuffling beat of Christmas With You and singalong festive chorus "a star is falling from the sky/make a wish at christmas time" ~ written down it sounds cheesy, heck it is but it works insanely well :) This Night is a more sombre affair but another lovely piece that is worthy of your time. You can get the deluxe edition of his festive album for a whole host of Carlsson Christmas faves ;

Back soon! Don't go anywhere!

Clearly I am missing the X Factor more than I thought (for my thoughts on the Joe/Rage debacle check out Ken's blog on it and my comment!) I've had heated debates at work, re-watched the JLS/Alexandra duet an OBSCENE amount of times (we are talking Adem-Fame Monster levels of obsession!) and several times pretended that I am Michael Buble and duetted with the still amazing Stacey. So when I was programming my latest christmas playlist, i thought i would focus on that loveit/hateit genre of classical meets opera harmonic boy band pop... And as they all seem to focus on the same few Christmas carols between them, showing the same lack of originality of song choice that the X Factor does, I thought I would present them as the final four acts of the imaginary X Factor :P Because I'm bored and you can choose your winner in the comments. Vote wisely ;)

SONG CHOICE ONE:

• G4 - Silent Night: You could almost taste Simon Cowell's fury as the posh toffs from London progressed further and further in the inaugural X Factor, while he was busy developing Il Divo in the background. Oops. Anyway, this flawless acapella version of the classic is driven by Jonathan's lovely vocal and the sheer power of the gloriously harmonised backing vocals from, er, the other 3. It's all very reverent and restrained, then at 1m50s they just let loose and it's entirely showstopping. I saw them in Coventry Cathedral some years back and they were proper bonza...
• RyanDan ~ O Holy Night: From poptastic boyband to masters of harmonic convergence, the transformation of RyanDan (twin brothers from Canada) was one of their cannier moves. Appealing to a whole new market, they quickly came out looking absolutely gorgeous, blending their voices together like two finely tuned instruments and aided by some glorious production values, including the incomparable Steve Anderson. This is a beautiful performance that always makes the hairs on my arms rise - with an outstanding soaring note just before a gentle ending. I had the pleasure of interviewing the boys a year or so back and they were just ever so charming and lovely...
• Blake ~ White Christmas: If I recall correctly, Blake were the first group to be put together on facebook and while it may have been done electronically, the world is lucky that the four lads (here in their original line up) had the voices to challenge G4 and their ilk. Yes of course the song is a classic and the guy who leads it has a delicious baritone, but why on earth are they singing in a shed sales lot?! Hardly the most festive of surroundings, although they have some nice scarves on. Oh wait, there is a Christmas tree in the background and they do sort of look at each other with something slightly more than brotherly love. Oh let it snow let it snow let it snow!
• Il Divo ~ Do You Hear What I Hear: I'm a bit smitten with Camilla Kerslake at the moment (see below) so I'll allow an unsanctioned duet at this point of the competition (the competition that is fake and has no prize. Indulge me. I'm loaded on Bucks Fizz, the drink not the pop group). Anyway, Il Divo duetted with the lovely Camilla the other week on this great song, sounded marvelous (as did she) and would have had Louis jabbing his finger in his rule book relentlessly. Oh it's Christmas. Enjoy it - it's almost like a festive version of something hopeful from Les Miserables...

SONG CHOICE TWO ~ "WINNER'S" SONG:

• G4 ~ When A Child Is Born: The christmas song of choice for the poperas is also one of my favourite more religious based songs. The instrumental arrangement is warm and inviting and they build the song ever so gently to a carefully controlled crescendo in the last verse that leaves me all fuzzy inside with a giant happy. More please...
• Blake ~ When A Child Is Born: Ok, Blake's turn. The line up has changed ever so slightly but there are still some good looking lads here, and really that's half the battle won with the poperas. This has more of a solemn piano led arrangement than G4, which works equally as well - nice background ooos in verse two also as the piano gently lays a few chords in nice harmony. The last verse is suitably rousing with angelic choir soprano bits added that bring it to a fine conclusion. Amen brothers!
• Il Divo ~ When A Child Is Born: Of course when Simon Cowell is involved in the creation of your group you are bound to come out with the most bombastic, grandeur filled production of the lot. Is it too much? Never - enough is not a word that suits this song, although this version does somewhat lack the charm of the previous two versions...
• RyanDan ~ Can't Help Falling In Love: Deciding to mix it up a bit (partly because they haven't formally covered When A Child Is Born, though I bet they sing it around the piano at home and partly because I just heard this unreleased song from them today), I've decided that this song just sounds equally as festive and wonderful when sung by RyanDan. It's a gracious, elgaic version that has some heavenly muted trumpet, two line harmonies, a deep and generous backing choir and is delivered with such earnestness and sincerity that the song literally sparkles. Quite amazing. Like I don't have enough new obsessions, it then gets bought to a huge conclusion that knocks your socks off. Apparently they had a new song out in Canada earlier this year called Is Love Enough that is hopefully off a new album. I'll be writing LOTS more about them in the new year...

OK, cast your votes for your favourite wisely people. In the meantime, let's have a special guest to round things off :)

Camilla Kerslake ~ White Christmas: Discovered by Sir Gary of the Barlow, I just love Camilla's voice. Her rendition in Italian of Rule The World is spell binding. And frankly people always get bonus points in my book when they include the original beginning to White Christmas from the film. Because there has never been such a day, in Beverley Hills, LA. Of course this is string laden, with a few bell chimes hear and there and some lovely harp action.

See you tomorrow dudes!

After it took me forever and a day to respond to the comments from the past few days, I thought I deserved a break so I diligently followed the latest amazing Christmas recipe from Donal "Industry" Skehan and although the yummy mince pies didn't look quite as professional as his, mine were little drops of heaven. Go me. Plus check out how charming Donal is at his book launch here! Anyway, onto a more mature take on Christmas if that's possible. Boobs, fart, botty. Guess not then...

1. Michael Buble ~ Grown Up Christmas List: I believe (though could be completely wrong) that Amy Grant first recorded this and it's been recorded by umpteen people ever since (or at least 3). Still, one of the delights of the year has been seeing how hot Michael still is (career wise of course :P) and this was cemented with his duet with Stacey on Saturday. This plea for unity and love at Christmas sounds just angelic coming from his pipes.
2. Amy Grant ~ The Night Before Christmas: Amy is one of those people who seems to always have a Christmas album and with good reason too - she does them rather well. This is just delicious and cute and totally encapsulates that childhood magic one feels as Christmas Eve draws to a close. Sometimes I think if people remembered that feeling more, the world would be a happier place :)
3. The Winans ~ Silver Bells: I have no real clue who the Winans are, but I just adore this soulful and laid back version of this song. It's smooth as satin and just an absolute joy to listen to over and over again...
4. Tevin Campbell ~ O Holy Night: Tevin was like the Chris Brown of his day (the "90s") but without the punchy fists or the bleating about why no one bought his album after the punchiness. And thank god, because that would have totally tainted my memory of his glorious version of this inspiring hymn. Yes Mariah does it equally well, but seeing as I'm featuring her next, I'm sticking with this soaring version for now...
5. Mariah Carey ~ Miss You Most: Fingers crossed (and if my creative juices keep flowing), I'll have a mammoth Mariah 'Merry Christmas' themed post for you on Sunday. In the meantime, this should tide you over. It's an incredibly sad song and one sung with elegance and grace. Quite lovely and instantly better than everything on Whitney's Christmas album (though Who Would Imagine a King comes close)...
6. The Pogues ft Kirsty MacColl ~ Fairytale of New York: one of my ALL TIME favourite Christmas songs. It's a verbal spar off set against the backdrop of a more jolly new york city skyline and it's all jolly singable and amusing and they say things like "you cheap lousy faggot, happy christmas my arse" (which got homogenised in the Ronan Keating version to "you're cheap and you're haggard" which doesn't have the same ring to it at all. Boo you whores). Anyway, then the real beauty kicks in when it gets incredibly sad as Pogues teethy guy sings "i could have been someone" and Kirsty chides "well so could anyone/you took my dreams from me when I first found you". Teeth then just sounds so incredibly distraught at this revelation that it's hard not to tear up every single time. Utterly brilliant...
7. Jane Krakowski (Ally McBeal) ~ Run Run Rudolph: Most tv shows pop in a Christmas episode at some point. Ally Mcbeal devoted whole streaks of episodes with accompanying music to them - often 2 or 3 per season. And they were always a little bit brilliant. It was always needy Elaine who tried to outslut everyone and this was one of her finest efforts. Just listen to how she says "a little baby doll that can cry eat sleep drink and wet" Sluttastic!PS I seriously didn't know reindeer were real until i aired this view in conversation a couple of years ago :/ How foolish!
8. Straight No Chaser ~ 12 Days of Christmas: I mentioned this song last year when the choral group released their first Christmas EP. They are back with a new one this year which includes a studio version of their popular take on 12 Days... that luckily loses none of the magic of the live versions and still is a tour de force through Christmas, pop and harmonic convergence. Brilliant and definitely worth 8 of your american dollars!!
9. Jona Lewie ~ Stop The Cavalry: You know for years I had heard the distinctive background of this song playing in stores or on tv shows, and I sort of knew the song but had no idea of the lyrics or what it was called. Problem over as it featured on some festive music countdown last night and now I am obsessed with it. Can't stop playing it. Which is no good for poor Dazpants but even he is oom pah pahing along now. Ace.
10. The Beach Boys ~ Little Saint Nick: Only the crazy genius of the Beach Boys could make santa sound like he was on a beach somewhere getting some toasty rays while Mrs Claus rubbed suntan lotion on his back. But do that they did! (Huh?) And the world is thankful for it if only to get something that sounds summery mixed in with the christmas classics.
11. Jill Johnson ~ Christmas On My Own: Ah, the lovely PosterGirl introduced me to this song last year and it's a doozy. I think DJ Larry Flick would like it actually. It tells of a doomed romance and the chorus is just an absolute killer "well we first met in january/fell in love in february, march and april walking on air.../summer lasted til september, we said goodbye in November/here's another Christmas on my own" Sheer genius. I love it all year round. Which is slightly longer than her boyfriend loved her :(
12. Dannii Minogue ~ I'll Be Home For Christmas: Oh Dannii. You were so close. But at least now you don't have the ignomy of Stacey being beaten to number one by some rock crap (i'm not sure how i actually feel about that yet, other than i wish it was the pet shop boys beating Joe). Still, you'll always be able to be proud of the lovely torch song version of your festive promise to return to your loved one. And with your loved one being the model stud he is, i can't imagine it will be only in your dreams :)
13. Deborah Gibson ~ Christmas Without You: Another of my all time favourite Christmas songs, this is chiefly the lovely vocals of my favourite female artist, a piano and a heartwrenching tale of love lost. Why does it always seem so much sadder at Christmas? This will move even the hardest of hearts (or beat you into submission - I've blogged it every year since 2006!)
14. Delta Goodrem ~ Do You Hear What I Hear: Oh. I thought I liked this song but I just listened to it and I realised it's not this version I like. It's the Whitney Houston version - which at least seems to go somewhere rather than Delta meandering all over the place!
15. Sarah McLachlan ~ Winters Night: This is both a festive lullaby and just a wonderful creation of voices being the main instrument in the song. Lovely acapella harmonies, a restrained delivery throughout and a gorgeous message just shining through. Evocative lyrics practically paints the listener a Christmas card scene that is just that little bit special.
16. Sheena Easton ~ Christmas All Over The World: This is just one of those enormous songs that sounds like it should soundtrack the end of some massive Disney epic released at cinemas everywhere just in time to tug at the heart strings. Because that's exactly what this song does. Every time I think I'm out, Sheena pulls me back in. It's what she does naturally :P
17. Tommy Page ~ Christmas Feels Like Heaven: Usually I pair Tommy's different but same titled Christmas Without You next to the Deborah song. This year, I've picked one of his other festive offerings. It's a similar earnestly delivered straight forward pop song, but I just adore his vocals and the delivery is so sincere it's hard not to get sucked into the sparkle of the message he delivers...Plus as 5 weeks on top for the Pet Shop Boys latest It Doesn't Often Snow remix will testify, I love it when current Christmas tunes merge into old classics...
18. Jason Mraz ~ Winter Wonderland: Mr A-Z has really come on leaps and bounds in popularity with his latest album hasn't he? Some of his quirkiest and most loveable gems are the songs he has recorded inbetween projects such as this off kilter snowflake. An acoustic driven guitar number with Jason's warm vocals making it a winner all the way through. Love love love the be-bopping and addition of the piano in the middle 8. Smashing.
19. Maroon 5 ~ Happy Xmas (War is Over): How could I not include a seasonal offering from one of my favourite groups to emerge from the new millenium? It would be a crime against Adam! Starting off as a minimal piano version, it builds nicely though mainly because Adam's gorgeous voice powers it to a dramatic and powerful conclusion. (I do love the register drop as he approaches the first chorus)...
20. The Killers ~ Great Big Sled: People will often tell you that out of the four Killers Christmas songs inflicted on the world to date, the first one (this one) is by far the best. These people are in fact 100% correct, and though I love the others each in their own individual way, this is by far the greatest sum of their parts.
21. Annie Lennox & Al Green ~ Put A Little Love In Your Heart: I was watching the quite good movie Scrooged on Sunday, and of course this came on at the end and I had completely forgotten it existed. So of course once again, I am obsessed with it and can't stop playing it. It's just so feel good isn't it? Imagine if Will Young had done a duet with Leona Lewis on Sunday's X Factor to this song? It would've beaten Joe to the Christmas number one easily...

And if you want something really adult that always makes me chuckle, click here (NSFW or the under 18s!) Otherwise back tomorrow with the final fizzypop christmas chronicles, back Thurs with "it's christmas in a week and a day" and then Fri with a round up of all things Erasure and Christmas..

Ah the X Factor is over (you can see the voting statistics here), the race for the Christmas number two is on (clearly The Climb will dominate the top slot, but viva the Pet Shop Boys!!) and it seems suddenly Christmas got a heck of a lot closer than it was on Friday. So over the next couple of days, there are a few special Christmas playlists I'm making up for my annual bash on Saturday night that I thought I would share with you :) Hope you enjoy!! Now I have to pop out and get myself a brand new outfit for the big event... oh asos.com how I love you... (PS this list is dedicated to my friends Simon ampersand Mark, Elouise, Bobs and Cat who can't make it on Sat :/ You too Steve, Robbie, John, Jason, Nick, PPG, Aaron, Adem, Mike, the Dans, pymo, Larry F!)

1. Steps - Merry X-mas Everybody: Ah Steps - frankly the pop world was less confusing and more wonderful at the turn of the millenium and I didn't half enjoy it. This is a corking party starter of the Slade classic in that classic Steps style.
2. A*Teens - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday: From Slade to Wizzard, this is another brilliant pop tune that represents what the genre sounded like 8-10 years ago. Frankly, I couldn't afford Christmas every day but it's still a nice sentiment all the same.
3. S Club 8 - Sleigh Ride: This is just before they matured into that rather good actually second album that took them precisely nowhere and it's full of enthusiasm, cheekiness and a healthy dollop of cheese. Still not quite as amazing as track 18 though.
4. Jump 5 - Wonderful Christmastime: I think I avoided the whole concept of Jump 5 as weren't they a bit religious? Whatever, their version of what Paul McCartney should have sung last night before he butchered Live and Let Die is as perky and poppy as the 3 tracks preceeding it on the list...
5. Aly & AJ - The Greatest Time of Year: Could they please stop pissing about renaming themselves and get back to making ace pop tunes with a hint of guitar edginess like Potential Break Up Song and this tasty mince pie? That would be my Christmas wish this year!
6. Bianca Ryan - Why Couldn't It Be Christmas?: Bit of a risky one this - I mean I quite like shrieky harridens like Diana DeGarmo, but this is pushing it a bit. Her winning America's Got Talent is as dull as Joe winning the X Factor. I love the song though - just wish someone else was singing it!
7. Girls Aloud - Christmas in a Nutshell: I already wrote about their Christmas album once this year, but any excuse to talk about the bish bash bosh bits in this original Christmas tune can not be passed up. They actually say bish bash bosh and it totally works. Should be in the top 40 every year like All I Want For Christmas Is You....
8. Kimberley Locke - We Need A Little Christmas: Kimberley remains one of my fave American Idol contestants ever, and her Christmas EP is so joyous and timeless it quickly became one of all time faves. This is just lovely, uplifting and she sounds heavenly! Come back to pop Kimber!
9. Mariah Carey - Santa Claus is Coming to Town: There is a very good reason I haven't featured the immense All I Want... on this list. It's having it's own sort of feature soon. But this is almost as ace. I love the lullaby start before the raucous Christmas party starts and Mariah just belts it out. Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end...
10. Play - As Long As There's Christmas: From one of my very favourite festive movies (Beauty and The Beast: An Enchanted Christmas), this is another glittery pop-disco makeover of a (sort of) classic Christmas tune. The video is one of the cheapest things I've ever seen, yet I think it just adds to the charm of the song :P
11. Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Christmas: God, remember when the Cheeky Girls sort of ruled the charts and had a more successful career than Michelle McManus, Leon Jackson and Steve Brookstein combined? This was the pinnacle/nadir of their output - basically just another reworking of We Are The Cheeky Girls, but it reminds me of snogging Darren in Route 2 so it comes out every year...
12. Bo-Selecta - Proper Crimbo: This is only funny if you have ever watched Bo Selecta and even then it's hit and miss. For some goshforsaken reason I really like it though. It just reminds me of all the crap novelty songs that get wheeled out each Christmas! All together now "so excited now you might wee..."
13. Pop Idol 2 - A Little Bit of Love: I know I already wrote about their version of Happy Christmas (War is Over) but this was their other group effort and equally as lovely. In fact I still think this would make a much better charity single for the show than Hero or You Are Not Alone. It's just as gooey and generic as those, but has a bit of Christmas sparkle in it...
14. Popstars - I Believe in Christmas: I'm sure someone will enlighten me, but I have no idea where this song comes from. I suspect it's the German version of the show. I do like how they've taken a doo-wop 60s style beat and weaved a few bells, beats and bows over the top to create a rather ace pop song all about believing. It's like an unofficial anthem for Miracle on 34th Street. Fizzypop Believes!!!
15. Fast Food Rockers - I Love Christmas: Part of me still secretly believes that D'Luv moonlighted in this group on his days off from blogging. Shame they weren't more massive but where do you go from naming your group after a novelty hit? This is a natural companion for the preceeding song - great singalong chorus and feelgood factor baked right into the melody. I do titter when they talk about Santa's sack though :P
16. Britney Spears - My Only Wish: Basically it is the melody from Darlene Love's All Alone on Christmas with some slightly different words and Britney singing it with her paper thin vocals. Somehow it totally works though. And she doesn't have to pay Darlene royalties. Score.
17. Spice Girls - Christmas Wrapping: If ever there were a girl group that could successfully cover this, it's the Spice Girls (and now perhaps the Dolly Rockers)... It suited their in your face girl power style perfectly and it's such a fun tune that it matched the ethos of the band perfectly. Plus for 3 Christmasses, they had the festive number one sewn up (2 Become 1, Too Much and Goodbye)...
18. Debbie Gibson - Sleigh Ride: 17 years old this year and still one of the best Christmas songs around :P Of course I am a little bit biased, but it works perfectly from the timeless production values that make it suit any era of pop to Debbie's vocal and the clip clops, tambourine shaking, bells, chimes and the whole kitchen sink thrown in for good measure.
19. McFly - Santa Claus is Coming To Town: It was all getting a bit generic disco pop beat and sleigh bells sound, so I thought I better throw in a bit of raucous guitar to mix things up a bit. McFly are often popping out decent Christmas covers, so here's a thrashy trashy version of this to cheer you up. Plus "slamming" guitar solo (does devil horn hands and the tongue thing)...
20. Mans Zelmerlow/Agnes Carlsson - All I Want For Christmas Is You: A nice ballad version of the Mariah classic? Works for me, particularly when it's the near perfect sounding and looking Mans on main duties. It suddenly changes from ebulliant declaration of love to romantic smooch in the corner ditty. And I will on Saturday night, i tells ya that for nothing. Plus I really like this picture of Mans...
21. S Club - Perfect Christmas: And to finish off with it's those lovely S Clubbers with this rather delightful aural Christmas card that sums up those cosy festive mornings curled up with your loved one perfectly. I still quote aspects of this song in Darren's card every single year. Heavenly.

Coming tomorrow - The Fizzypop Grown Up Christmas List Chronicles!
Coming soon - Mariah's Christmas album! Love, Actually! And this!!!!!

Ah, the above snap shot from the cold, chilly yet exhilarating ice rink outdoors is really what Christmas is all about. Meeting up with friends, sharing experiences, hot chocolate from Starbucks with whipped cream on top, cold noses, Christmas carols being blasted through sound system, then a walk back to a roaring fire (or a picture of one ripped out a magazine sellotaped to the radiator) to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and the town drunk stumbles past, with his coffee flask aromating a distinctly Irish Coffee aroma slurring "merry bloody christmas". Ah yes, if Hairspray were a Christmas musical, that's exactly how the opening number would play out. Marvelous. Now on with the post, because I'm in a bit of a mood - Darren only went to order 2 things from Amazon that I have bought him from Christmas. The surprise is now gone. Hence no magic... :/ I need a hug :P

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

It's really been quite an amazing year for the lovely Industry pop group. Two Irish number ones (I'm not sure where their third single In Your Arms got to) including the poptacular My Baby's Waiting and an amazing Erik Holter remix of Burn. They are back with their fourth Irish single, My Mistake which is their most lushly produced power ballad to date. It feels instantly recognisable with it's lilting piano melody, sumptuous and inviting backbeat, gorgeous vocals and some lovely singalong harmonies in the chorus. While I've loved their previous releases, it's definitely their strongest statement yet for me and highlights that through their careful planning of building an audience through selected releases, this time next Christmas we'll be smooching along to tunes like this at every office bash across the country. Quite simply a delightful treat from the band to tide me through Christmas. Gorgeous.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

As my darling Australian friends would say, Hugh Sheridan is a bit of a spunk. He's from the show Packed To The Rafters and a bit of a crooner too. Aaron Fabtastic has written lots about him and I'm hoping to get his album by new year. For now, I'm quite happy to be wooed by his lovely festive offering for an Australian Christmas compilation album called The Christmas Waltz. It starts off with some lovely strings then quickly merges into an off kilter beat that reminds me a little bit of a Blake Lewis ADD type song - Hugh's vocal is very different to that though. He has one of those classic pop voices that are instantly warming and the juxtaposition of that with the funky backing track work really well. Of course there are jingle bells thrown in there for good luck too, which is quite smashing. It's quite a delightful, optimistic, hopeful aural Christmas Card which I can't stop playing - it's really won me over to Hugh's lovely vocals and I'm really excited for that album now. So yes, I would definitely put the words Hugh Sheridan and spunk in the same sentence (! sigh !) but his voice is just as enticing as his looks :)

CHRISTMAS PAST:

I can hardly believe it that it has been a whopping 20 years since Jason Donovan was the biggest boy in pop (ahem) and charming audiences across Britain with his sort of festive entry When You Come Back To Me. One of my all time favourite Jason tunes, I absolutely begged my parents for a red trench coat, but it did not materialise that year. Not to worry, their gift of a Jason calendar kept my spaff fresh... Anyway, I love to whip this song out each year and enjoy the chiming bells in the S/A/W disco-pop production, the joyous singalong chorus, the shuffly-dance beat middle 8, Jason's fisting signal at 2m 36 in the vid, and the all together feel good factor the song brings out. So although the ozzie spunk tissue has been passed from Jason to Hugh, the former's contribution to Christmas pop remains unparalled by his contemporaries. Viva 1989!!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Madonna, Revolver
20 ~ The Killers, A White Demon Love Song
19 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake
18 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
17 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
16 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You (NE/VID)
15 ~ William Young, Hopes & Fears
14 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
13 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
12 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger
11 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
10 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
09 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
08 ~ JLS, Close To You
07 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
06 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
05 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
04 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
03 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
02 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
01 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (4 weeks)

Back both Sat and Sun for x factor filled weekend :)

I had a bit of a brolly misadventure yesterday. There i was trotting (mincing along at speed if truth be told) to the train station to make sure I got the 5.27 (the 5.29 stops at every bloody station and takes nearly twice as long) holding my umbrella like a rifle (for some reason). I went barrelling round the corner only to stab some poor bloke in the gut area with my pointy weapon (oo-er)! (Enough with the parenthesis)! I wasn't going to miss the train, so I just yelled my apologies and scurried out of there while he was winded - he looked pretty solid and could have kicked the poop out of me so I was glad when the train doors shut and I could safely breathe again. Like Toni Braxton. That's not a very festive advent calendar type story is it? Oh well - I did hear some old dear on the train say "oh I find it ghastly when people say xmas instead of Christmas. It really removes Christ from Christmas" Her companion (with the most massive purple rinse hair-sprayed hair ever) replied "absolutely dreadful. It really is the purple pin!" AMAZING. I shall use words like that in sentences all week now. For it really is the purple pin.

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

7 years ago Girls Aloud changed the perception of reality music show winners songs (and the face of pop in general) with the amazing Sound Of The Underground. Obviously they are currently on a break while Cherevyl (lump of) Cole markets her admittedly successful solo career, so the vultures are circling and hoping to be the next huge girl group by this time next year. I certainly don't mind elements of The Saturdays and Girls Can't Catch music, but the two I'm liking most at the moment are below:

• The Dolly Rockers - North vs South: Available for a free download on their Bebo page, who knows when proper releases will surface from the cheeky chops girl group next! Despite songs like Je Suis, Gold Digger and Boys will be Boys absolutely dripping in charm, they haven't really connected with the public yet. North vs South may not change that but it's certainly an enjoyable track - almost their version of Perfect Match, albeit totally British. "Meet me in the midlands" they sing as a suggestion to their errant lover and this plus the middle eight makes them more Fuzzbox-y than ever. And i love it. There's also an element of Kate Nash in there - and if that's your bag then check out the amazing Champagne Shirley. Not only does it start "she thinks she's fit with her new fake tits", it is the most Kate Nash song since Foundations. Perhaps they will always hover on the periphery of success, slightly too cool for mainstream. I adore them though.
• Mini Viva ~ I'm Hooked: Already they have won the hearts of a nation with their spunky Left My Heart In Tokyo (wonder how many journalists have asked whether they really did or not!) and are about to have a second strike at the charts with the winning I Wish. Their album sampler is doing the rounds and while it won't quash any comparisons to Girls Aloud, there is certainly a large dose of their own personality mixed into the songs. The best is the swoony midtempo I'm Hooked which tinkles along with a great singalong chorus and a dreamy middle eight (infused with great synths). I'd be more than happy if something like this was the third single - already potentially one of my fave pop songs of 2010 :P Hurrah!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Well this really is the purple pin. Sugababes 4.0 have only gone and recorded temptress anthem Santa Baby ("for radio") and gosh darn it, it's quite good. Appropriately seductive with spot on harmonies, it's yet another version that will get reeled out year after year as the nights grow darker and the evenings grow colder. Is it special enough to stand out against other such stellar versions done by Eartha Kitt, Kylie, Madonna and uh, Ally McBeal? Well it doesn't top Eartha or Kylie but it is rather pleasant and will tide the latest incarnation over nicely until Wear My Kiss in February.

CHRISTMAS PAST:

Rounding off this all girl group post with something else estrogen based is quite easy. Every year I reel out the bonus CD from Girls Aloud almost exemplary Chemistry CD, often referred to as Christmastry. While the album got a bit lost in the festive shuffle (as did rush released single See The Day - shoved out unceremoniously like afterbirth a mere four weeks after the VASTLY superior Biology), it's impact on pop culture remains to this day and the festive addition is still a lovely treat to dive into every year. And every year I get a tiny little bit drunk at our Christmas party and lead a singalong of "Bish bash bosh wooooooo" from the I Wanna Kiss You So... Smashing versions of christmas classics mixed with all new saucy numbers making this a winning mini album that could have done quite well on it's own. Please go find it (as I implore you to every year) if you haven't already!!

Back Friday with a round up of the week, late Saturday with first X Factor write up and late Sunday with the second. Blimey! It's all go around here lately isn't it?

Blimey. The shop's ain't half busy. I've been barged, poked, prodded, rudely moved aside, felt up, molested, sneezed on (ew. What happened to catch it, bin it, kill it?!), boob-bashed, growled at, hissed at, talked about on a phone loudly, cock-blocked and eye-stuck (by an errant baby's podgy fingers)! All while standing innocently in HMV fingering Gavin and Stacey (series 3 out already on dvd before it's even finished on tv)...(this was almost as bad as my festive "people" experiences from a few years back!) Anyway, back to the safety of armchair shopping, my gaze fell upon the quite exquisite looking Harry Potter Ultimate Collector Editions for films one and two. Only out in the states so far, but I'm there Christmas Day and have "multi regional" capabilities. I'm ever so excited about this development. Nearly as excited as Hogwarts opening at Universal next year. Oh how I adore Christmas cashing in when it's things I like (I note that as predicted last year, Mamma Mia is now out in a 2 disc edition)... On with the post!

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

God bless Kylie Minogue. She really is quite smashing isn't she? Sure, everyone and his dog (including me) had an opinion on what should have been on X, what should have been a single from X and how it would have been more massive - but that's only because people care and just adore her. And fresh from her triumphant US tour (ooo that was a bit press releasy wasn't it!), she has quickly put together a live download package of every single blooming song she performed. And if that wasn't glorious enough, there are 3 new Steve Anderson studio versions of some her funkiest numbers - including Speakerphone 2009, (stream here). It's been wonderfully reswizzled and sounds ultra modern, seductive and sleek. Not only does it sound like it would work wonderfully as a live set piece, it works as a stomping dance number which is bound to get my annual festive bash pumping a week on Saturday :) Plus, I'm absolutely dying to hear Steve's new production of Light Years - from one of my favourite albums of the millenium... You can stream the album on Kylie's youtube from Sunday 12th and buy it from the 14th. Oh and if you are feeling particularly rich, there is a paperback version of the glorious coffee table tome Kylie by William Baker out now (£85!!!!). It's all so Gossip Girl Wealth Level Secret Santa Tastic!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Talking of Gossip Girl (you might think I just throw these posts together randomly and often I do. Just sometimes I'm able to segue quite nicely and make it look planned), Leighton Meester aka ice queen of Manhatten Blair Waldorf has released quite a surprisingly rich and enjoyable version of Christmsa (Baby Please Come Home). I really like the tone of Leighton's voice on the song and the arrangement works really well for her. Surely there must be an opportunity for an all musical gossip girl where she sings this to Chuck "I look like i'd be absolutely filthy in the sack" Bass. That would please me very much indeed. Actually it's such a beloved Christmas fave, that I was worried that she would piss all over it, but no it's come out quite lovely. Phew.

CHRISTMAS PAST:

My god, how often have I written about the Barenaked Ladies singing the simply fantastic Elf's Lament (with Michael Buble)? The answer is every year since 2006, so apologies if you have been reading this blog since then, but you are going to have to put up with it once more. You know what Gregory Maguire did with Wicked - where he totally spun the world of Oz on it's head? Well that is what the Ladies have done in this song - taken our deeply ingrained image of happy little elves beavering (titter) away for the good of the world and given it an "up the union" type slant. Maybe working conditions aren't so great. Maybe the pay isn't as wonderful as it should be. Maybe the job satisfaction is minimal. It's all addressed here, with some grand harmonies, a kicking chorus and an infinitely catchy hook. And despite it being a good old moan (albeit with a slight wink), it certainly is one of the perkiest and upbeat (musically) Christmas songs of recent years. Quite simply marvelous.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE:

Well it's not a Christmas movie at all, but it does have a rather brilliant festive break in the middle of it. Mean Girls is one of those ace films I can watch almost anytime over and over again and be utterly entertained. The clip above alone is worth your time if you haven't seen it before - Lindsay, Claudia Party of 5, the dead one from Veronica Mars and uh, another one basically do a really slutty version of Jingle Bell Rock. In two mins they cram in so many comedy moments - the desperate to be young mom choreographing the whoreathon, the parents faces at the moment of ass slappage, the kicking of the cd player into the jock boyfriend's face - all leading to a lovely heartwarming singalong. Altogether now... "what a bright time, it's the right time..." No? Boo you whores :)