02
Dec
2003
· In the pre-digital culture, kitchen-table lyricists and pop-radio junkies devoured hokey magazines that flourished in the day, re-printing popular song lyrics and publicity photos to an information-starved audience.
With pages of ostentatious advertisements that rival those in comic books, the magazines had one ad that never missed an issue - an encouraging plea for the homespun songsmith to send original lyrics to the city lights of Music City USA or New York, and allow a professional ensemble of studio musicians to record the song. For the right price, every Walter Mitty with a loose-leaf pad of ramblings could maybe, possibly, hopefully be a star. From all walks of life, sentimental dreamers with a pen and a certified check waited nervously for the finished product, their very own songs - interpreted at the mercy of the studio musicians in generic styles. Known now as "song poems" by those who collect and search out these surreal American creations, a collection of holiday-themed song poems tops my list of the best Christmas CDs of the season. Entitled Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four?, the Bar None Records release is delicious in absurdity and glee, tingling in the Dada and expectations of these songwriters. So this Christmas, why not open up your home to the music of those who dared to dream? From groovy to lonesome and from benevolent to pensive, each of these 21 tracks is refreshing and nutty, with studio vocalists trying to keep up with stream-of-consciousness rhymes and awkward lyrical phrasings. One highlight, The Sisterhood's Midwestern disco interpretation of "Ole Year Christmas," pops with Talking Heads consumer shout-outs: "World of skeptical buyers! Sanders! Blenders! Menders! Next of kinders!" Some must have daydreamed about the merchandising possibilities of a new character to reach the hearts of children, with "Randy, the Lil' Elf," "Maury the Christmas Mouse," or "Evelyn Christmas." Sorry, fella, I don't think Maury made it. I'm surprised at how devilishly sexy some of the numbers are, like the sly possible meaning of "Christmas Treat, Peppermint," the glossy vamp of "Baby, It's a Cold Night in December," or the lush breath of "The New Year Song." Other highlights reaching for the stars include the Elvis tones of "A New Year's Dawning" with lines such as "Youngsters stop your fawning, and stop that yawning," or the metal picture of "Snowbows," with the unforgettable "If rain can make a rainbow/With colors way up high/Then snow can make a snowbow/You'll see them if you try." And only a Grinch could frown at the hipster "Santa Goes Modern," percolating and finger-snapping cool.
· Keeping it icy cool is another holiday project from Om Records, hOMe For the Holidays. A collection of down-tempo interpretations of classics and new smooth originals, the 11 tracks blend hip-hop beats with acid-jazz loops of Christmas themes. As hypnotic as the label's namesake tone, these runway backdrops and funky swells are as sparkling as the flutter of snowflakes at night. Scratch fanatics and mix masters stand clear; Colossus' "Charlie Brown Cut Up" is wicky, wicky, wicked. Other highlights include the rolling dream of J Boogie's "Under the Christmas Tree" and the acid fantasia of Casey Nefcy's "Psyonics Night," with magical teapots dancing à la Raymond Scott.
· Vinyl purists have three yuletide rarities to feed their turntables this season. The indie Suicide Squeeze label has just released a limited-edition white-wax seven-inch single, a cover of "The First Noel" by Pedro the Lion. On the flip is another cover, Low's "Long Way Around the Sea" from the band's own holiday album. Also on colored wax is Candypants' new "Happiest Time of the Year." Look for this anti-Christmas single on the Sympathy for the Record Industry imprint. And hot off its appearance in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Japan's 5,6,7,8's offer up "Rock & Roll Santa" on the Norton Records label, featuring a B-side cover of Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts the Counting Crows this evening, Alicia Keys on Thursday, Stevie Wonder on Friday, Pink on Monday, and John Mayer on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman serves up G. Love & Special Sauce on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien welcomes Jet this evening overnight, Fountains of Wayne on Thursday overnight, and Marilyn Manson on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features Eve this evening overnight, Dido on Thursday overnight, Rufus Wainwright on Friday overnight, and Counting Crows on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly boasts a special appearance of The Wailers with Erykah Badu on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Pink.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, December 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell: Part 2 (Lost Highway) seven-track EP
Blink-182 - Riding in the Van With Boys (MCA) DVD documenting the band's touring life
Cranes - Forever (Jive) re-issue from 1993
Galactic - Ruckus (Sanctuary) special vinyl LP pressing of this terrific new album
Hoobastank - The Reason (Island)
Judas Priest - Electric Eye (Columbia Legacy) DVD featuring music videos, BBC television performances, and a live concert from 1986
Kelis - Tasty (Star Trak/Arista) with producers Timbaland, Dallas Austin, The Neptunes, and Dame Grease
John Lennon - Inside John Lennon (Passport) DVD
Lesser - Suppressive Acts (Matador) new solo album from the Matros member
Madonna - "Nothing Fails" (Maverick) new CD single
Offspring - Splinter (Columbia) featuring the single "Hit That"
Utah Phillips - I've Got to Know (Daemon) re-issue from 1994
Probot - "Centuries of Sin" (Southern Lord) seven-inch single from Dave Grohl's new metal side project
Rage Against the Machine - Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium (Epic) DVD filmed in 2000, featuring a covers of the MC5's "Kick Out the Jams" and EPMD's "I'm Housin'"
Earl Slick - Zig Zag (Sanctuary) new solo album from David Bowie's longtime guitarist, with guests Robert Smith of The Cure, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Martha Davis of The Motels, and Royston Langdon of Spacehog
Sly & Robbie - "Tons of Dope" (Select Cuts) new dub single covering the Dillinger classic with Dubblestandart
Ruben Studdard - Soulful (RCA) debut from the American Idol winner with producers Fat Joe and R. Kelly
Underworld - Anthology 1992-2002 (V2) hits and re-mixes collection
various artists - Leaders of the New South: Crunk & Disorderly (TVT) with Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, David Banner, and Pastor Troy
Westside Connection - Terrorist Threats (Priority) new from Ice Cube, WC, and Mack 10
· Keeping it icy cool is another holiday project from Om Records, hOMe For the Holidays. A collection of down-tempo interpretations of classics and new smooth originals, the 11 tracks blend hip-hop beats with acid-jazz loops of Christmas themes. As hypnotic as the label's namesake tone, these runway backdrops and funky swells are as sparkling as the flutter of snowflakes at night. Scratch fanatics and mix masters stand clear; Colossus' "Charlie Brown Cut Up" is wicky, wicky, wicked. Other highlights include the rolling dream of J Boogie's "Under the Christmas Tree" and the acid fantasia of Casey Nefcy's "Psyonics Night," with magical teapots dancing à la Raymond Scott.
· Vinyl purists have three yuletide rarities to feed their turntables this season. The indie Suicide Squeeze label has just released a limited-edition white-wax seven-inch single, a cover of "The First Noel" by Pedro the Lion. On the flip is another cover, Low's "Long Way Around the Sea" from the band's own holiday album. Also on colored wax is Candypants' new "Happiest Time of the Year." Look for this anti-Christmas single on the Sympathy for the Record Industry imprint. And hot off its appearance in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Japan's 5,6,7,8's offer up "Rock & Roll Santa" on the Norton Records label, featuring a B-side cover of Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts the Counting Crows this evening, Alicia Keys on Thursday, Stevie Wonder on Friday, Pink on Monday, and John Mayer on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman serves up G. Love & Special Sauce on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien welcomes Jet this evening overnight, Fountains of Wayne on Thursday overnight, and Marilyn Manson on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features Eve this evening overnight, Dido on Thursday overnight, Rufus Wainwright on Friday overnight, and Counting Crows on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly boasts a special appearance of The Wailers with Erykah Badu on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Pink.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, December 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell: Part 2 (Lost Highway) seven-track EP
Blink-182 - Riding in the Van With Boys (MCA) DVD documenting the band's touring life
Cranes - Forever (Jive) re-issue from 1993
Galactic - Ruckus (Sanctuary) special vinyl LP pressing of this terrific new album
Hoobastank - The Reason (Island)
Judas Priest - Electric Eye (Columbia Legacy) DVD featuring music videos, BBC television performances, and a live concert from 1986
Kelis - Tasty (Star Trak/Arista) with producers Timbaland, Dallas Austin, The Neptunes, and Dame Grease
John Lennon - Inside John Lennon (Passport) DVD
Lesser - Suppressive Acts (Matador) new solo album from the Matros member
Madonna - "Nothing Fails" (Maverick) new CD single
Offspring - Splinter (Columbia) featuring the single "Hit That"
Utah Phillips - I've Got to Know (Daemon) re-issue from 1994
Probot - "Centuries of Sin" (Southern Lord) seven-inch single from Dave Grohl's new metal side project
Rage Against the Machine - Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium (Epic) DVD filmed in 2000, featuring a covers of the MC5's "Kick Out the Jams" and EPMD's "I'm Housin'"
Earl Slick - Zig Zag (Sanctuary) new solo album from David Bowie's longtime guitarist, with guests Robert Smith of The Cure, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Martha Davis of The Motels, and Royston Langdon of Spacehog
Sly & Robbie - "Tons of Dope" (Select Cuts) new dub single covering the Dillinger classic with Dubblestandart
Ruben Studdard - Soulful (RCA) debut from the American Idol winner with producers Fat Joe and R. Kelly
Underworld - Anthology 1992-2002 (V2) hits and re-mixes collection
various artists - Leaders of the New South: Crunk & Disorderly (TVT) with Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, David Banner, and Pastor Troy
Westside Connection - Terrorist Threats (Priority) new from Ice Cube, WC, and Mack 10
