Five Basic Parts of Christmas Songs.

So in my Christmas music listening (which is a little lighter than normal around this time of year, I'm trying to hold off listening to it 24/7 until around Thanksgiving like normal people), it's occurred to me what I find to make a really good Christmas song. It's like a formula made up of five different parts, but it seems to never fail. Or rarely fail.

1. Bells.
Any variety of them, but sleigh bells seems to be the most popular and fun. It's unclear to me why bells add such a Christmas-y sound, but they do.

2. Children choirs.
Really, any choir would do, but children choirs also seem to be the most popular and fun. They go great with bells.

3. Strings.
Strings are very Christmas-y. I've noticed that Christmas music from artists of all genres have used strings in Christmas music. It's most common in sacred songs, to add a more reverent feel, I suppose. They also go great with bells and children choirs.

4. Snow.
Now, this isn't really per my recommendation, as much as it just seems to be a trend. If you mention snow, it automatically qualifies as a Christmas song. Case in point? My Favorite Things. Not a Christmas song, but constantly played around Christmas because of the line about snow.

5. Nostalgia.
Anything referring to Christmases of past, or remembering the good times throughout the year, nostalgia is like a ninja of Christmas music. It's always there, even if you don't always realize it. ... the ninja metaphor may be weak, but you know it's true. Christmas songs you've heard throughout your life leads to nostalgia, even if the song doesn't mention nostalgia.

This formula is very versatile and will work with any two. The only trick? Don't overdo it. But if you add the right amount of each, you'll have your very own Christmas masterpiece, even if it has nothing at all to do with Christmas!

A Review of Kristin Chenoweth's "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas"

It's very true that I'm a huge fan of Kristin Chenoweth in everything she does. Be it broadway, tv, movies, or recording, I'll probably love it. However, I'm a bigger fan of Christmas music and I'm quite picky about it. I don't like arrangements that veer too much away from the versions that absolutely scream "CHRISTMAS!!" to me. So even though I love Kristin and Christmas music, I was still a little apprehensive about this album. Come to find out, I had no reason to be.

A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas is absolutely fantastic. It's traditional and reverent as well as fun and modern. It blends the well-known (I'll Be Home For Christmas) with the more obscure (Home On Christmas Day), the religious (What Child Is This?) with the secular (Christmas Island), and the favorites (Silver Bells) with those that I don't really consider Christmas songs, but she makes them work wonderfully here (Sing). The array of styles displayed is quite impressive, with jazz and country thrown in with more traditional arrangements.

I have to say that the best part of this album, however, is that it plays like an album. There are some Christmas albums out there that just seem like the songs were recorded, and then thrown together haphazardly together on an album. This album is completely different. The song selection seems well thought out and put together and it has the right mix of fast and slow songs in the right places.

A major highlight for me is the song Sleep Well Little Children/What A Wonderful World, which is very surprising to me, since I usually don't like songs that are played at Christmas, but really aren't Christmas songs (like My Favorite Things... ick). However, Kristin mixes it up with a medley that really makes it feel like a Christmas song. The arrangement is beautiful and pristine and just a joy to listen to.

Some other highlights for me are Come On Ring Those Bells, Do You Hear What I Hear?, and the medley of Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World. The first of the three, Come On Ring Those Bells, is a song I haven't heard in years but have certain sentimental affection towards. Kristin posesses a distinct country twang here, which is something I wasn't completely wild about at first, but she makes it work. Do You Hear What I Hear?, with it's traditional arrangement complete with horns and a little twinkling sound has Kristin's voice soaring while sounding as clear and as beautiful as ever. The song is completely enchanting, especially with the refrain of "Gloria" from Angels We Have Heard On High playing right before the last verse. The last of these three, Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World is a fun, jazzy duet with John Pizzarelli. It blends the two songs marvellously, and even has some cute banter between the two at the end. It makes me want to go play in the snow, which is always a good thing. It just makes me infinitely happy.

One of the biggest surprises for me was the song Sing. Yes, the one from Sesame Street. It incorporates a more Christmassy second verse, complete with children's choir. Somehow it gets you in the Christmas mood despite it not really being a Christmas song. I also enjoy her using all of the pieces of songs that are rarely used now. It was a pleasant surprise to hear the introductions to I'll Be Home For Christmas, Christmas Island, and Silver Bells. For some reason, people don't sing those much anymore and I really like them!

My only complaint about the album is that there are two bonus tracks on iTunes that weren't included with the actual album. They absolutely should have been since they flow effortlessly with the rest of the album. The Lord's Prayer is particularly gorgeous and moving.

I truly believe this is one of the best Christmas albums to come out in the past few years, if not ever. It absolutely deserves to become a classic that you put in year after year. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to be put in the Christmas spirit, or that just enjoy Christmas music. It's beautiful.

Christmas Albums I Have In My Posession.

Someone asked me which Christmas albums I own, so I thought I'd compile a list. There's a lot of songs I have that I don't have on complete albums (like BNL's Barenaked For The Holidays, where I only have two songs), and some that came as singles (both of The Killers' thus far). I'll make a list of all of those later.

Acoustic Hearts of Winter - Aly & AJ
Beautiful Star: The Christmas Collection - Rhonda Vincent
Bluegrass & White Snow - Patty Loveless
Brad Paisley Christmas - Brad Paisley
Brand New Year - SHeDAISY
Charlie Brown Christmas, A - Vince Guaraldi
Christmas - The Andrews Sisters
Christmas - Jaci Velasquez
Christmas Album, A - Amy Grant
Christmas Classics - Bing Crosby
Christmas Collection, The - Frank Sinatra
Christmas Collection: An Old Fashioned Christmas - The Carpenters
Christmas Collection: Christmas Portrait - The Carpenters
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Various Artists
Christmas Live - Mannheim Steamroller
Christmas Song, The - Nat King Cole
Christmas Songs - Diana Krall
Christmas Story, A - Point of Grace
Christmas Together, A - John Denver & The Muppets
Christmas Wish - Stacie Orrico
Christmas With Conniff - Ray Conniff
Christmas With Dino - Dean Martin
Christmas with the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Christmastime - Michael W. Smith
Classic Christmas, A - Various Artists
Classic Christmas - George Strait
Cool Yule - Bette Midler
Disney Presents A Family Christmas - Various Artists
Doris Day Christmas Album, The - Doris Day
Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest Novelty Christmas Songs - Various Artists
Dream a Dream - Charlotte Church
Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald
Elvis' Christmas Album - Elvis Presley
Enjoy the Ride: Christmas Bonus Disc - Sugarland
Harry for the Holidays - Harry Connick, Jr.
Home For Christmas - Amy Grant
In The Christmas Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
It's A Wonderful Christmas - Michael W. Smith
Joy: A Holiday Collection - Jewel
Let It Snow [EP] - Michael Buble
Lovely Way To Spend Christmas, A - Kristin Chenoweth
Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey
Merry Christmas/The Andy Williams Christmas Album - Andy Williams
Merry Christmas With Love - Clay Aiken
My Kind of Christmas - Christina Aguilera
Noel - Josh Groban
Now That's What I Call Christmas! - Various Artists
Now That's What I Call Christmas! Vol. 2 - Various Artists
Peace: A Celtic Christmas - Sheila Walsh
Season For Romance, The - Lee Ann Womack
Sounds of the Season [EP] - Enya
Sounds of the Season [EP] - Elliott Yamin
Sounds of the Season [EP] - Taylor Swift
Time-Life Treasury of Christmas, Vol. 1, The - Various Artists
Unexpected Gifts: 12 New Sounds of Christmas - Various Artists
Voice of Christmas: The Complete Decca Collection, The - Bing Crosby
When My Heart Finds Christmas - Harry Connick, Jr.
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
White Christmas - Martina McBride
Winter Wonderland - Point of Grace
Wintersong - Sarah McLachlan
WoW Christmas (Volume 1?) - Various Artists



Albums I'd Like To Get/Complete This Year (Will Be Updated As I Get Them):
Joy to the World - Faith Hill
Greatest Christmas Songs - Perry Como
Voice of Christmas, The - Sandi Patty (or any Christmas CD by her, really)
Christmas With You - Anthony Burger
Christmas Festival, A - Boston Pops
Christmas With Peggy Lee - Peggy Lee
Christmas Rocks! - Brian Setzer Orchestra
Greatest Christmas Songs - Julie Andrews
20th Century Masters: The Best of Burl Ives - The Christmas Collection - Burl Ives
Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Classics - Gene Autry
Christmas With Julie Andrews - Julie Andrews
A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra
What A Night! A Christmas Album - Harry Connick, Jr.
Merry Christmas From The Chipmunks - The Chipmunks

Sarah's List of Favorite Things From The Past 3 Months.

No, boredom isn't one of them. But given that it happens to me anyway, I've decided to take advantage of it and post a list of my favorite things that I've come to love within the past three months or so.

1. Psych. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the greatest show about a fake psychic detective EVER. Shawn Spencer and Berton Guster have come to be two of my most beloved television characters. The writing on this show is pretty exceptional, with fast paced, witty dialogue that caters perfectly to my sense of humor.

2. Juno. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't go to the movies. Ever. At least not when I have to pay full price for them (dollar theaters make the world go round). In fact, the last movie I saw in what most would consider an actual theater is the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean. In July of 2006. But I had to make an exception for Juno. It just looked too amazing and cute to not go see, and I feel as if I got my money's worth. While I have a few minor complaints (Juno's music taste should really have matched up more to the soundtrack. Not the Stooges), I thought it was just an amazing feel good movie.

3. The Icicles. The official happy band of the world. It's just a fact. I really do think that if everyone listened to at least one song by them every day, the world would be a much happier place. Most people would probably recognize their song "La Ti Da" from Target's "Long Live Happy" campaign, but they have so much more than that. Every song (even those that are on the slower side) is catchy as hale. I really strongly recommend the songs "I Wanna Know", "Crazy" and "Porch Swing".

4. Jon & Kate Plus 8. The greatest show on TLC (with the exception of What Not To Wear). Jon and Kate have eight kids! A set of twin girls, and a set of sextuplets (3 boys, 3 girls). While the kids can get a little whiny at times, Jon and Kate's commentary with their sense of humors and playing off of each other is well worth the time. The kids are adorable, too.

5. 80's Music. Especially the cheesy kind. "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany never fails to make me bounce, and The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" is the best song to sing loud and obnoxiously. For some reason, I've recently hit a major phase with this stuff and I'm loving everything from Elton John to The Go-Go's to Dire Straits to Debbie Gibson. It's just perfect.

So there you go. Five of my favorite things. Hopefully they'll become some of your favorites too!

A List of Things That Annoy The Snot Out Of Me.

Because, really, we all need a moment of negative reflection in our lives.

Item No.1:
When your hard drive craps out leaving you (mostly) without a computer for about a month and a half. Of course this is also paired with going to your grandparents who can't get wireless internet because Arkansas is a stupid state. But still, the point is that you now have to reinstall and find everything you once held dear. You have to recustomize your Firefox with codes and skins and options. IT'S A LOT OF WORK. But on the plus side, I do have all of my keys on my keyboard back.

Item No.2:
This goes back to Christmas, but I couldn't rant about it then because of item no.1, so I'm going to rant about it now. ICICLE LIGHTS. They're not cool anymore, mmkay? Really, they're just plain annoying, sans special cases where it actually works. If you just have icicle lights up with a random inflatable abominable snowman (speaking of, the people with that didn't put it up this year. Sadness!), it WILL NOT WORK. It just looks tacky. Especially blue ones. Really, we all need the gigantic multicolored lights. Those are awesome and never go out of style.

Item No.3:
When people are relatively new to a fanbase, go through old videos, and then decide to use quotes from them at every possible moment. Okay, yes, that video of a inebriated Dave Keuning saying "he rocked his own socks off" was hilarious, but that doesn't mean you can say "they rock my socks!" or "they rocked their own socks off" everytime you see something associated with the band. It just doesn't.

Item No.4:
The writer's strike. I support the writers. Really, I do, but I'm tired of there not being anything on TV. I want my Pushing Daisies, The Office, and Heroes back. The only good thing about this strike is Conan's beard. It's dazzling, really.

Item No.5:
Facebook won't send me my confimation email. Uhm? What did I ever do to you? I just wanted to feel ~in the loop~. My myspace feels inadequate now, even though that's where most of my friends are. Still. YEAH FOR SLOW HOMESCHOOLERS.

Item No.6:
Before I went out of town, I put down $50 for a darling little Belkin equivalent to an iTrip. It works well. Except around Atlanta. I don't get it. I keep getting static where I'll be using it most. Going from the outskirts of Atlanta to Little Rock, Ar? Perfect sound! Atlanta? CRAPSHOOT.

Item No.7:
Snow melts. Why? This is one of the most unfair facts of life. I demand it be changed. I don't want snow for four hours and then it go away. I want it to still be there when I get up the next morning. At least stay for 24 hours.

Item No.8:
Shiny fabrics. Especially on fat people. It's not flattering. It just brings attention to the stuff you don't want people to pay attention to. And this is coming from a fat person. So please, just make them go away. Also, it's too much. It's like a neon sign flashing "LOOK AT ME! MY CLOTHES ARE UGLY!". Shiny belt? Cute. Shiny shirt? Not so much.

Item No.9:
The fact that I haven't played the Wii yet. I feel inadequate as a human being right now. I want one. I just want to touch one. Mostly, I want one before Mario Kart Wii comes out.

Item No.10:
My 12 year old cousin has "Low" by T-Pain or whatever as his ringtone. Uh, what? I didn't get a cell phone 'til I was 16. He also has his 30gb Video iPod with stuff such as Soulja Boy and... other rap songs I don't know. It's kind of obnoxious. Actually, I feel bad because I'm not there to teach them what good music actually is.

So there we have it. Ten things that really get my goat yet probably shouldn't. Oh the boring life I lead.


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Now playing: The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
via FoxyTunes