Songs of Advent 1

As is customary around these times, the next few weeks here will be home to a step through some of my favourite songs of the year. They’re in no particular order, except for the 24th, which will talk about the best thing I’ve heard all year (and it’s probably not going to be much of a surprise, really. A clue: see the entry after this one). Entries may have downloads, they may not; it all depends, really.

So, let's begin!

Lily Allen — LDN

Tommy McCook & The Supersonics — Reggae Merengue

Despite there being lots of reasons to dislike Allen (celebrity nepotism, fawning press, another use of 'MySpace' to discover an artist who, surprise!, was already signed to EMI), I just can't do it. Not when she calls out the NME for dropping her and Beth Gossip from the cover for Muse, slags off part of her own album which was foisted on her by the record label, and well, for songs like LDN. Based around a horn sample from the linked track above, LDN's cheery sounds belies the rather depressing lyric of a trip through modern London. It's rather spiffy. The single lacks the rather sad image of the video with Lily wandering around a grey London in her red dress, but it's still rather splendid.

And yes, I can forgive her for the "Tesco" / "al fresco" line. But only just.

currently playing:

Let Them Eat "Love Me Do"

A few days late, but I like to think that they took Mick Hucknall and Cliff Richard’s whining into account before deciding not to extend the 50-year copyright on sound recordings. However, given America’s success with knocking out the last legs of allofmp3.com this week, I’d wait until the Government announces its intentions before smiling at the idea of public domain Beatles recordings…

currently playing: Bow Wow Wow – C30, C60, C90, Go

A Quick Torchwood Recap

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood1.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Dr. Date-Rape, please indulge in a bit of misdirection that does nothing but show you're a really bad doctor!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood2.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>What, we're not supposed to play football in the office? You bitch!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood3.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>I think I preferred it when I came across pig aliens.</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood4.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>I'm edgy in a sex pistols t-shirt. Plus. Boobs. BBC3 is classy.</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood5.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Hey, I remember Earshot!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood6.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>We're making lots of references to sex! We're so hip!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood7.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>I'm really sad. Poor me. Perhaps I'll make a cup of tea.</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood8.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>GIRLS! KIsSING! OMG!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood9.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>No, really, I remember Earshot.</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood11.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Just call me Jonathan!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood10.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Let's stay here while your dad loads the gun, sweetie!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood12.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>My God! I'm even more annoying this week!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood13.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Jack, despite being the computer nerd, I've completely forgotten how to use Google. God knows why the alien tentacle thing I've just had sex with is making allusions to Greek myth, but please help!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood14.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>And then Darla and I were in China during the Boxer Rebellion with Spike - oh...</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood15.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Hey, don't be so judgmental. At least my mouth looks normal.</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood16.jpg" width="384" height="288">

Earshot! Earshot! Earshot!

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood17.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>That's impossible! Mouths don't look that normally? I've been living a lie!</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood18.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>What is it? I'm brooding. Do you know have many years Wayne had to do this before he became Batman?</p>

<img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood19.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Tosh! I'm setting up a plan which I'll forget I even mentioned in ten seconds time!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood22.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Wait, that makes it three rogue members now? Out of five? God, I suck at being a boss.</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood21.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>Remember that bit about how we scavenge technology to protect The Crown? You do? Damn.</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood23.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>I'm still really upset!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood24.jpg" width="384" height="288">

<p>No time for love, Doctor Jones! You interrupted my brooding!</p>

    <img src="http://snappishproductions.com/blog/images/torchwood22.jpg" width="384" height="288">
	
        <p>STEVEN MOFFAT! COME BACK!<p>	
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currently playing: Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart

Ladies And Gentlemen, He's A Charmer...

I give you Mick Hucknall. Please, take him.

(spreading around the Internet again after his rant this Thursday in The Guardian, where we're all supposed to feel sorry for Universal and EMI that Elvis and Beatles recordings may fall into the public domain. The horror).

currently playing: Left Banke – I Haven't Got The Nerve

Is This Frequency Your Universe?

You may remember me mentioning Johnny Boy once or twice on these pages, mostly to the effect of believing that they’re a fine grouping that plays splendid songs in a popular manner. It turns out that said band will be turning out for the Stay Beautiful Christmas Party; lashings of ginger beer possibly on hand for all.

Would anybody like to join me on the second day of Advent in Camden Town?

Closed Since I Was Born

Zombie Mall!

currently playing: Low – Those Girls (Song For Nico)

But Come On! Dick Cheney Shot A Man In The Face!

Fox News to develop rival to The Daily Show. As you can imagine, it sounds like a complete trainwreck. In fact, you have to wonder whether the co-creator of 24 (which might also explain why I’ve never really got on with that show) has ever watched TDS:

"The way I look at it, almost every comedy show or satire show I see uses the same talking points against George W Bush and Dick Cheney. The other side hasn't been skewered in a fair and balanced way," he said.

It's not a partisan show. It exists to mock. And it does, from the right, to the left, to the people that make human-flavoured tofu and truck drivers demanding their right to throw urine-filled cups out of their lorries. The Fox equivalent sounds like it's just going to be a shrill copy that'll spend most of its time calling Nancy Pelosi the Wicked Witch of The East.

currently playing: The Arcade Fire – Crown Of Love

And They Have Guns. Remember?

I think what Torchwood really needs is somebody on the scripting team whose only job is to State The Obvious. “Why don’t they just, well, shoot them? Aren’t they supposed to be a ruthless, secret organisation?” “What’s up with the big TORCHWOOD logos on the car anyway?” “Why not send in the INVINCIBLE character?”

Just a thought.

Secondly, The Au Pairs are terrific. You probably already know that, but I think it bears repeating.

currently playing: The Au Pairs — Sex Without Stress

The GOP: The Gift That Keeps Giving

"I want to say this about my state: When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years, either."

Trent Lott: new Republican Minority Whip!

currently playing:

It's A Nintendo Christmas!

I Read The Article In Forbes.

Almost time to break out Die Hard for Christmas again!

currently playing: The Art of Noise – Close (To The Edit)