Pump Up My Siberian Sleigh Ride

Yep. That's all I want for Christmas. Well... I could settle for a little less... something. Besides the surprise Christmas presents under the tree, I stumbled upon the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and I have to say, this has GOT to be the best stumble ever in my playlist's history. Like Amazon reviews put it, "If you're looking for something out of the ordinary for the season, The Lost Christmas Eve is for you." Upon doing some research on the band's biography, it turns out that the band was formed in 1996 by Paul O'Neill, who was later joined by friends, writers, composers and collaborators, to create music "that was so melodic it didn't need lyrics. And lyrics that were so poetic that they didn't need music but once you put the two of them together, the sum of the parts would be greater than the whole, and you couldn't imagine them apart." Wow, that IS some serious brain-storming that went into the making of this league of... extraordinary (the very best) singers and musicians and genre-mixing the classical, rock, Broadway and R & B worlds. O'Neill set out to create a Christmas Trilogy - The Lost Christmas Eve being the last volume. Not going into the details about the story behind every album of theirs, this album's about a little angle sent to earth to complete Jesus's unfinished work. Of course, its the new world he lands into, and what more perfect city to start... than New York. I first listened to Siberian Sleigh Ride, and was enraptured. The slow piano start, which fuses into heavy electric guitar and organ would have the same effect on any new-age rock and classical music fans. It reminded me of Aerosmith and a lot of the hard rock (that I thought I couldn't listen to at a stretch, but surprise surprise!). The Wisdom of Snow is another favorite of mine - soft, flowing piano keys that just mellow out your soul... A similar song would be Christmas Bells, Carousels and Time - this one haunting with tinkling bells and a "something-lurks-in-the-shadows" feel to it. Over-all, the perfect Christmas music for all kinds of music lovers. You'll find a song in there that is just right for you - and probably one that suits your Christmas spirit. And if your spirit needs some pumpin', there's Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas for it. Their whacky lyrics, booty-shakin' hip-hop, R&B beats get you up on your feet and whisk out that old accessory that screams "MONKEY BUSINESS!" Uhm, not really, but its the kind of music that would put some spunk in you and make you want to hit the club. Be good though... Santa likes good kids :) Fergie, the female lead singer, is amazing. Her voice IS her attitude... and what an attitude she's got. Very, very... nice, boys. Thats what I'll be listening to these holidays. Spending quality brat-time with loved ones. Have a smashin' New Year's and a Christmas that would drive Santa crazy. If you know what I mean. Sooo.. turn up the radio, blast the stereoOooOo riiiight now ;) Stay safe and have a good time!

Wake Up to Jem's "24"

"In 24 hours they'll be laying flowers on my life, it's over tonight... I'm not messing..."

Who: Jem Griffith
When: Released in March 2005
What: Finally Woken, a solid debut album

This song, 24 by Jem is one of those songs you can listen to when you need some motivation to DO something, right then and there. I'm not big when it comes to lyrics with Jem's songs, but her soulful voice and the earnesty in her voice that truely bounces on one's musical vibe... is amazing. 24 has a 'I'm-free-from-you' feel to it and reminds me of the type of music someone might listen to after a recent break-up. Don't know why... but I just do! But, I've always liked eletric guitars and strings. The same would go for They, but it has a slight church-like tune to it. Falling For You is another good song, which I got to listen and download from a friend. The lyrics of this song actually rang true and that's why I decided to share my interest in this new British artist's songs. The cautiousness and skeptism people have around people they like is put so well in this song, that it reminds you of Dido's White Flag. She DOES sound a lot like Dido, but with a youthful and more sprighty debut album. I haven't heard the rest of the songs on her album, but the tiny clips of what I did on Amazon show promise. She's burning up the charts around the globe and kudos to her for such music. You might like her if you can put together Dido, Evanescence, Beth Orten and Sarah McLachlan.

Back to Bedlam indeed

Who:James Blunt
When: Released May 2005
What: Top-selling debut album of 2005 in the UK

I heard You're Beautiful by James Blunt a few times on one of the MSN radio stations and it was the guitar being played that caught my attention. Of course, I couldn't wait to have it on my playlist and downloaded it - now I can't get enough of it! Its so... pure, heartfelt and comes straight from the heart of a sensitive person, its pure bliss to listen to such a song. Blunt's voice is very similar to Damien Rice, who's debut single sold out the most in 2004. The same seems to be happening to James Blunt's single Back to Bedlam this year. He's extremely talented, CAN sing and it shows in his lyrics, which are inspired from his years as a British army captain, peacekeeper in Kosovo and guard at the Buckingham Palace. No Bravery has a emotional punch to it, with a lot of strong songwriting and producing. Wiseman is another favorite of mine and is by far, the best song sung by him. He IS the "modern musical hero" with a lot of depth and emotion in all his songs. Definitely worth listening to if you liked Damien Rice, Anna Nalick, Keane, Jack Johnson and to an extent, Coldplay.

Cheers!