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 :)

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...

Despite being only 4 singers left in the competition, all battling for a place in next week's final (really? I would have never have worked that out if ITV didn't keep shouting it at me), this is going to be a mammoth post. So grab yourself some festive log, pull up a chair and get comfy cos coming up you've got Elouise, the top 5 X Factor Christmas songs, the show review and Same Diff get even more amazing!

THE REAL X FACTOR:

Last week I featured one of 2010s most exciting pop artists, Simon Curtis. This week, I'm back to writing about another artist who would have been pretty amazing if she had appeared on this year's X Factor. Elouise has had me enchanted for a fair portion of this year, whether it be her delightful version of One Night Only or the powerhouse originals like Another Day or Pretender (clip at the end of the video above). Her latest recording is I Owe You Nothing - at first I was a little sad that this wasn't a Bros cover, but having listened several times, it's hard not to fall in love with this completely intoxicating string laden torch song. Whether it's the raw emotion poured into the verses, the careful use of flute (?) in the chorus that sets off the song perfectly or Elouise's impassioned vocal, it's a masterpiece of a song that once again bodes well for an album of instant and timeless standards. The production adds many layers to the song (whether it's the use of instruments to create drama, or pulling back to focus on Elouise's voice at precisely the right moment to fuel the song forward) and raises it from Disney ballad (which would be more than super) to anthemic delight. Something very special and wonderful is being created here, and I can't wait to hear more. Please check out her amazing Fireman of my Dreams song also and go visit her at Cafe de Paris on the 12th Dec :)

THE X FACTOR GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST:

I have to make this week's X Factor post fit in with my advent calendar themed month of posts somehow so I thought I'd showcase some of the Christmas tunes that have either been performed on the show (or similar) or spun out of the show.

• 5 - Pop Idol2 Finalists; War is Over ~ It may have been the year that killed off the pop idol format in this country, but I still adore this treacly treat. Yes, it's the early version of an X Factor charity single - inspiring lyrics, people looking smug that they are still in the competition and others aren't, etc. Plus it has my beloved (and robbed) Suzanne! And Andy Scott Lee back when he was sexy and not the needy nobody he is now :/
• 4 - JLS; Last Christmas ~ works perfectly for the boyband that has ever since straddled the line between cheesy and cool without ever teetering dangerously (though some of the album is too close to cheesy for comfort)! Long may they reign...
• 3 - G4; When A Child Is Born ~ In the rewritten X Factor history in my head, these lovely toffs were the winners and Circle of Life was the winner's single. They didn't sing this on the show (that would be the lovely O Holy Night), but it came a year after and is a perfectly harmonised version of my very fave traditional carol. It's all in making the last chorus soaring, and they did it proud.(For more decent versions of this song, see Il Divo, Shayne Ward, and uh, Lee Ryan!)
• 2 - Shayne Ward; Somewhere Over The Rainbow ~ His version of When A Child Is Born was his festive offering and very well done. However, seeing as I've just covered that song, I'll say once again (for the nth time) that this is my favourite X Factor performance ever. His vocal is amazing, it works wonderfully as a hopeful festive plea but enjoyable all year round. Bah to him being left on the pop shelf, bah!
• 1 - Same Difference; All I Want For Christmas ~ Ah my favourite non-winners ever. Just watch the video. Need I say anymore? The most joyous and delicious act ever, embodying pure pop. Bring on the new music in 2010 ~ their new website has just launched and features all new grown up pics by them where they both look AMAZING. The end

THE LIVE SHOW!!

Thank god this is coming to an end! It feels like it has been going on forever. Plus it seems to be a foregone conclusion that Joe has won, which just breaks my pop heart. It is just such a massive step backwards for pop music. Oh well. Optimism for Stacey! It's MJ night tonight and Dermot is all excited and impressed that Janet will be on stage tomorrow. We all are Dermot, dear, but frankly I'd be more impressed if MJ got on stage and did the greatest comeback known to man :(

OLLY:
They show Olly's initial audition which makes everything he's done since seem like just such a disappointment. I'm hoping Olly at least has the grace to look sad at missing his brother's wedding. No such luck. He's dressed for a mormon baptism and doing a version of Can You Feel It that is sub-par to the amazing V version from a few years back (which makes me want to call up Poppostergirl to discuss this)! Simon stands up to clap which is a bit of an overreaction to the song. Louise reels off the same old platitudes he always does, while Dannii alludes to the "crotch"! He licks his lips again while Dermot reads the number. PORN!
JOE:
Sigh. The vt shows that Joe could probably be the biggest theatre star since Ray Quinn. Oh god. He's doing She's Out Of My Life which is just so ridiculously predictable (at least it's not Ben) and an utterly safe choice. Could he have not done Black or White with a guest rap from Jedward? Or In The Closet (ahem)? No. It's this dullard ballad. I actually make a quick phone call during the performance because it seems like the right thing to do, but then also as improper as secretly texting at a funeral. All the judges are going on about it being outstanding. It was not. It was nice. Hideous shirt though. And his bro-hug shoulder bump with Dermot is still not perfected.
STACEY:
Oh god please vote Stacey. It costs less that a packet of cheese and onion heart attack inducers. Oh she's gone all cabaret club sexy! It's The Way You Make Me Feel. You can't tell she's having wisdom teeth problems at all. It's a bit hard to concentrate what with all the good looking boys grabbing their crotches in the background and there is a weird key change. It's not my favourite performance of hers ever, but she's always lovely and endearing and at least that was a performance, not just sitting on steps (the things you use to go up and down, not the pop group)!
DANYL:
Simon believes that Danyl is the best singer, but I'm personally not sure I would buy his album. Still, I had no interest in Alexandra after being so invested in JLS, and I quite like Overcome. He's doing Man In The Mirror (which Stacey should have done). Simon looks mortified. He's right to. Danyl looks absolutely maniacal and bug eyed, and I'm pretty sure he's quite flat for the first part of the song. In fact, I'm pretty sure the key change was only put in to make his voice in key with everything else. He absolutely flips out near the end, totally overstimulated. I actually want to invoke the Mental Incapacity Act! The video behind Danyl is far better suited to earth song than this - utterly bizarre. Simon tells Danyl it was amazing, but then has to choke on his words, which is most amusing...

OLLY:
His parents are on the vt - clearly his dad is too furious about him missing his brother's wedding to even talk! I'm not even sure what Olly is singing - and dear god, in the instrumental breakdown he totally overdoes his "cool guy" dancing and looks a right goon. Simon thinks that song will get him in the final. Yeah, well Simon thinks a lot of things that are never gonna come true. Olly is wearing a shirt I just ordered (before the show!) from asos! I'd pair it with a bow tie, jeans and this amazing navy blue tux jacket I found though...:P
JOE:
I think I'd rather Joe's gran win the X Factor than Joe though they keep showing that Circle of Life clip which weakens my resolve a little. Oh. Another ballad. Cheryl claps really enthusiastically for no reason at a fairly standard note. Oh don't hate me mark (great x factor blog btw), I am quite liking Open Arms and can see this being single number 2 if he wins, probably rush released in April. It is more the song that I like though - oh no, I'm being swayed by song choice! He sings it very well, but as one of my friends here says "he is very good, but the only thing making me watch is hoping he falls off that box he is standing on". Indeed. Simon mentions it is a song no one knows. Um ok, not only is it the second Journey song Joe has sung in the show (he likes to repeat artists), but it's been used twice on American Idol (Clay Aiken, Elliot Yamin) and Mariah took it to number four. Hardly obscure! Once again Simon is off his face tonight. OH! (what's occuring) - the annual "record that tomorrow and it will be number one" quote comes out. DRINK!
STACEY:
Ooo, Stacey's brother is quite attractive :P That is neither here nor there because her version of Somewhere is entirely flawless, powerful and gorgeous. Seriously, it's one of the most spellbinding performances on the x-factor ever. Record that tomorrow and i'll remortgage my house to get it to number one :P Incredible. Whatever happens now, she is my winner.
DANYL:
So Simon's acts have been last four out of the nine weeks with Danyl taking three of those slots. Yes that seems fair. Oh god, he's on the edge of manipulative tears again in the video. Pull yourself together man. He's doing I Have Nothing. Cheryl won't be pleased because it is a boy singing a girls song and that is ridiculous. It's mainly in tune, which - considering all the insistence of his brillo singing - is actually quite rare. His eyebrows are absolutely crazy and freak me out.

Back tomorrow with the results, Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga in the comments section :)

I'm still dangerously obsessed with Diablo by Simon Curtis, so I just thought I'd get that out of the way straight up. It's become my Fame Monster! Time to move onto more festive fare. Aren't Christmas lights pretty? Not particularly energy efficient or environmentally friendly (LED people!) but very pretty all the same. I'm going to have an early night tonight and curl up in bed watching the movie discussed below and frankly I can't wait. Here's today's advent calendar!!

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

I often associate Christmas with sitting around the ol' joanna and having a rollicking good old sing song with friends and family. So after months of impatient waiting, I'm delighted that the ever so charming Julian Velard has finally released his very enjoyable album The Planeteer onto the world. His expertise with knocking out a joyous melody on a keyboard is on a level with Billy Joel and Elton John (let's face it, he bangs those piano keys with the enthusiasm of a fat businessman with only 10 minutes left with his out of town call girl appointment!)is only matched by his ability to craft a wonderfully catchy pop tune. The album contains brilliant tracks like Feels Like Love Again For The First Time (an ode to that wonderfully optimistic feeling one gets when finding someone ace after a heartbreak), Jimmy Dean and Steve McQueen (a particularly strong and enjoyable singalong entry) and new versions of his classic tracks like Joni and Little Demons showcase his penchant for witty, wry lyrics that never fail to strike a chord. A sterling full length set then from Mr Velard, and I sort of wish I was round his for Christmas for a good ol' knees up :) (Not least because not on the album, but above is his aces cover of Last Christmas!)

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Bloody hell, D'luv has fallen in love a bit with this song hasn't he? And one can see why! Aqua's Spin Me Your Christmas is a discotastic bit of aural mince pie that will light up anyone's Christmas tree. It's just feel good pop that happens to have a rather europop seasonal twist to it. And someone's been at the myhrr because it's a proper colourful cavalcade of christmas couture in the video! Love the line "look out for red and white santa on the soda machine, if not for coca cola he would have been green!" So very true (google it christmas santa fans!) Do approach the video with caution and sunglasses though - their teeth are brighter than the new fallen snow when the sun hits it in the early morning. My retinas were severely damaged, but it was oh so worth it!!

CHRISTMAS PAST:

Ah, it was only a year ago that the lovely Lenka gave us The Show and the immortal singalong concert line "i want my money back" (which I always got a bit confused with that Ben Folds Five song where he sings "give me money back, you bitch" - so you can see why I got some glares at her concerts!!) Any"hoo", she whipped out the most cute and lovely little festive number last year (All My Bells Are Ringing), and there is absolutely no reason why it shouldn't be revisted right now - especially if you want another look at the adorable video that goes with it. So yes indeed, take my heart this christmas just wrap it in a ribbon and a bow. Love at Christmas always works for me :) I think you'll find that love, actually is all around :P

CHRISTMAS MOVIE:

There is nothing more magical than a festive film that makes you believe again. Miracle on 34th Street does just that. Sure the remake is as treacley as toffee, but it has warmth, magic and goodness baked right into the production values as it tackles the more cynical in the world who refuse to accept the miracles of the season. So every year, I wrap myself in a nice warm duvet, put a steaming mug of warm cocoa on the nightstand and become an absolute cliche as I sniffle and emote my way through the film. Gosh though I get so warm and fuzzy inside when the world supports Santa. FIZZYPOP BELIEVES!!!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You (NE)
20 ~ The Killers, A White Demon Love Song
19 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake
18 ~ The Saturdays, Ego (NE)
17 ~ Madonna, Revolver
16 ~ Blake Lewis, Heartbreak On Vinyl
15 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
14 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger
13 ~ William Young, Hopes and Fears
12 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
11 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out (LIVE VID)
10 ~ JLS, Close To You
09 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
08 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo (NE)
06 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
05 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
04 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
03 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
02 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
01 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (3 weeks)

Back on Sunday with an x factor mammoth advent calendar special, all the feedback on Saturday's show, and this week's REAL x-factor, Elouise!

My my. Doesn't the above look positively yummers. And I'm not just talking about pop star extraordinnaire, Donal Skehan (ho ho). If you fancy making some absolutely delicious Christmas cupcakes to spice up your life, then you could do far worse than following the latest scrummy recipe over on Donal's Good Mood Food blog. It's the perfect edible accompaniment to today's lovely online advent calendar entry. Tuck in!

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:


Good lord. It's been quiet since Spectacular, then the 8Bit Heart campaign kicks in, Delusional drops, quite rightly sets the blog world alight and it's now all go. And now Simon is releasing a new track today, which isn't the marvelous sounding Super Pyscho Love (see here) but a previously unheard track called Diablo. It's sizzling hot and has amazing lyrics like "You're the Devil, you're a filthy piece of trash. Gotta brush you off my shoulder, gonna let you kiss my a$$. You're a Diablo". How absolutely brilliant does that sound? Keep checking Simon's twitter for the download link, and I'll update with a further review of this future Christmas party hook up classic in the very early morning!!
EDIT: It's dropped and twitter has gone crazy over it. Basically it's a kiss off song to some nasty person who's not down with Simon. God knows why they wouldn't be with this corking piece of pop - it mixes elements of Max Martin, Lady Gaga, and the signature clever Simon lyrics that are just so wry, like "Here's the thing, we started out friends but this is not a Kelly Clarkson song and not how it ends!" If Delusional is the club stomper, then this is a genius moment of massive pop, hugely enjoyable chorus and will have the world singing "el diablo" on repeat for months to come. The game has been raised for 2010 pop and it's Simon Curtis who is setting the bar. Incredible. Imagine a world where this was the X Factor winner's song and we'll all be in a happier place :)

ALSO: Aaron checks it out in tweet form! Mel is spot on!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

God bless The Killers. The Great Big Sled festive release has now become an annual tradition, continued this year (once again in support of World Aids Day) with the mariachi flavoured Happy Birthday Guadalupe. As D'luv points out, it's not quite as glorious as their first offering, but for me it's another alternative festive gem that mixes their audacious swagger with some spoken breakdowns and an catchy enough hook (that almost cancels out the rather forceful message within the lyrics). And the video is quite brillo - not only has Dylan left the Peach Pit (but has his flop show Jeremiah beard back), but the band have created a video that showcases an eerie tale of lost love in a When We Were Young-esque desert filled with angels, spirits and uh, skeletons. It's all quite visually mesmerising. Not a bad effort and one that I suspect will grow on me. Check out my previous Killer festive track reviews below...

• Joseph, Better You Than Me
• Don't Shoot Me Santa Claus
• A Great Big Sled

CHRISTMAS PAST:

Why oh why is the world getting so excited about a George Michael (December)song that he actually gave away, ahem, last Christmas? (I'm sure everyone has already come up with that "joke")! And not only that, but it wasn't really good enough for him first time around because he wanted to give it to the Spice Girls, which would have been far superior to the dullard Headlines. Anyway, I think the excitement stems from the PR emailing everyone under the sun and the rather delightful video that accompanies the song. And it still remains a lovely tune - here is what I wrote last year... "it's more of a gentle grower than an in your face pop classic, but that's fine. I prescribe one listen per day, increasing to two the week before Christmas and by the time it's available to download for free on the 25th you will be loving this very understated, yet moving beautiful piece of work. I've not really kept up with Georgie lately, but I am really appreciating this. Gorgeous piano work, and a haunting vocal really make it work on many levels...." Marv.

More Christmas stuff tomorrow with added movie and tv shows :)

Deck the halls! Hark those herald angels! I saw mommy kissing santa claus (the dirty minx)! Yes, Christmas is finally upon the world (sort of) and I have given you 5 days grace over last year when I did the 30 days of Christmas. That was a little bit ridick - I was like one of those crazy people who put their lights up in September and have Mariah Carey on a loop from October. Unless you did that - then you are not crazy. You are the most lovely exception to this steadfast rule. Anyway, from now until Dec 23rd, as often as possible I plan to put up a Christmas themed post. This will include some of the following categories:

• Christmas Past: A classic christmas song that is still quite marvelous and festive today.
• Christmas Present: A brand new christmas song released this year that is jollying up my holly and my ivy!
• Christmas Future: An instant pop classic, newly released, that will no doubt be the soundtrack to many a drunken hook up at office parties in the future. Delish.
• Christmas Reading: Which of my festive themed novels I am currently ploughing through.
• Christmas Watching: Ah tv does Christmas so well sometimes doesn't it? It fair warms the cockles of my heart. Does a heart have cockles - Ken aren't you doing medicine? IS this true? Anyway, I'll pick out some of my fave Christmas episodes from amazing/rubbish shows!
• Christmas Movie: Ah who doesn't love a good festive film? If you have said "me" meaning you not me, then you will probably not enjoy this blog for the next 24 days but you should probably continue to read it anyway. Thank you.

Then on Dec 23rd, this will culminate in the now annual Fizzypop Christmas Card, so be sure to get your festive photos to me as soon as poss my lovelies. Now on with the show (snow?)!!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Ah Glee. It really does what it says on the tin does it not? It makes one most joyous and happy just watching it (though I really wonder how long it will follow the "Popular" tv show template - will the uncool kids become cool after sectionals?!) As is right and proper for a phenomenon of Glee's size and stature, those crazy kids have put out a very gleeful sounding version of Wham's Last Christmas. It's exactly as you would expect - note perfect, fun, perky, filled with almost literal whistles and bells and utterly enjoyable. While of course not as deliriously brilliant as the Wham original, I'd be quite happy with a festive themed episode and accompanying EP next year please. Here, by the way, are some more Last Christmas covers you may wish to "peruse"...

• Cascada and Whigfield go all keanu reeves - "i'm gonna speed it up!"
• Oh dear god, Crazy Frog just utterly wrecks it...
• Go tween with Hilary (Up the) Duff or Ashley Tisdale...
• Yo, respect to Taylor Swift, but the Wham version is one of the best of all time...
• There's a Boa version if you really must...
• Darren Hayes does it for Rosie O'Donnell!
• Plenty of early millenium pop group versions too - Westlife, Busted, Billie Piper, Atomic Kitten, Human Nature to name but a few!
• And of course it's a festive X Factor fave - JLS being the most recent to attack it!

CHRISTMAS PAST:

It's absolutely impossible for me to kick off December without belting out at least one version of Do They Know It's Christmas and although I adore the 20 year old Band Aid II version (viva Sonia! Viva Kylie and Jason! Viva Bros! Viva Bananarama!), it's often the 25 year old original that gives my vocal chords a work out (ignore the BA20 version, it's tosh). Considering it's grim subject matter, the song is utterly glorious and uplifting and remains a perennial favourite to this day. Plus every year I hear it, it inspires me to do something for charity at this time of year. And the song represents what Christmas is all about - helping others, optimism and hope. Obviously, it's about the birth of Jesus too, but that's just a few of the myriad of feelings Band Aid inspires :) Oh! And what's occuring? DO NOT forget to check out the entirely splendid appearance it made in the wonderful Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special last year. Magnif. Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime indeed.

CHRISTMAS FUTURE:

Grab yourself a mince pie, get yourself an eggnog latte and imagine - just imagine for a second that someone decided to do a cover version of Kylie's exquisite Step Back In Time. Wouldn't that be brilliant? No not really. What would be more brilliant if someone took the template of Step Back In Time, Sweden'd it up a little bit, gave it to a male singer to belt out and created an entirely new but equally addictive ode to 70s music out of it all! Well blow me (please) down with a feather, someone's only gone and done just that. Yes it's Magnus, of Magnus Carlsson fame! Frankly it's not very new at all, but I've only just got round to giving it the time it deserves and it's blooming splendid and bound to sound absolutely brilliant at a festive knees up. Just check out some of the lyrics - "hands up, there's no time to linger, reach out use your index finger, when you bump the bump under the mirror ball tonight"! Outstanding. Just try not to enjoy, I double dog dare you...

OTHERS:

• Christmas reading/movie: Ah Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is quite a wondeful and dignified read isn't it? Totally worthy of flicking through at least once a year - it's a cautionary tale to anyone who thinks that meanness, bitterness and thrift will get you through life. Of course it's also been done into millions of films, tv christmas episodes and cartoons by now but Disney have pulled a corker out of the bag with this year's 3D version. Far too dark (both visually and in subject matter) for kids, it's a wonderful visual of what Dickens England would have looked like and the 3D digital aspect really drawers you into the world. Aces.
• Christmas tv: If I'm going dark, let's start with something not so traditional. Buffy was never a traditional tv show and although Amends was plugged in year 3 as "A Buffy Christmas", it was Hush in year 4 that always seemed more of a Christmas fairy story to me. Completely creepy from start to finish, apart from a few character moments, this is a brilliant standalone story tale that could almost be the follow up to A Nightmare Before Christmas. Worth watching every year alone for Buffy sans voice trying to see if she can stake the gentlemen, but confusing everyone with her rapid hand gestures :)
• Finally (!) be sure to check out Steve Anderson's twitter Christmas Advent Calendar!!

Back soon with more festive faves :)