20 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!
Buy the 2 disc version of Chemistry here (Amazon UK)
10 years ago this very day, Girls Aloud cemented their status as the greatest girl group of the new millenium by releasing their seminal Chemistry album. People far cleverer and more erudite than I will wax philosophical about what an amazing pop composition Biology is, or how mellifluous Whole Lotta History remains to this very day. These facts (and many others) are very true indeed, but for me I was super delighted that the Girls released a bonus festive CD with the album, affectionately known to fans as Christmastry. I think what was impressive about this was that it wasn't just a couple of extra covers tacked on to bring in a few more sales - no sirree Bob; Festiv Gifts (Xenomania) penned 4 brand new songs whilst glittering up 4 ridonkuslously perky seasonal standards so they sounded like they were always meant to be Girls Aloud songs. Heck, throw in a couple of remixes and it could have been a Christmas album all on it's own. I mean, that deliciously camp cover (above) certainly warranted a place on Woolworth's shelves (it's currently in a tie for campest cover of the 00s, along with Same Difference's Pop). I always felt that the Christmas tracks were overshadowed by the release of such a triumphant main album, but am pretty sure there's an army of devoted fans out there who dig out Christmastry year after year to revel in it's joyful glory...
The album kicks off with a percolating interpretation of Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. An electro-bass ensures that the track throbs along with an effervescent giddiness while the textured vocals in the chorus bring an element of contagious excitement that the song deserves. It's a exhilarating opening that will have you kicking up your kitten heels with gay abandon and shimmying along like it really was Christmas every day :) Similarly there's a charming sincerity to the best version of Jingle Bell Rock since those Mean Girls performed it (and kicked the stereo right into poor Jason's face). There's a crunkier guitar sounding element to this song, giving it more of a live feel - as if the group are with their live band, performing right in your front room. Warning, don't play the guitar solo bit when your drunk Uncle Bill is in the room, unless you want to witness him using his leg as said guitar. Which you don't. White Christmas (a song they sang on the final of Popstars: The Rivals) updates the classic number with a radiant Pet Shop Boys-esque synth groove that bubbles under the sweetly cooed vocals. The mixture of timeless melody and contemporary instrumental works better than expected, with those synth and bass loops allowing the melody and message of the lyrics to shine like the brightest star on the tree. As the song progresses, the instrumental becomes more and more mesmerising, making this an irresistable new version. Their final cover comes in the form of Slade's Merry Xmas Everyone - and, (as the final track on the album), brings everything full circle as it has the same brash exuberance of the opening number. Some of the vocals on this (particularly "What would your daddy do if he saw your mommy kissing Santa Claus") remind me of the work on St Trinians - and that's just as much a gift as these four reinventions of classic Christmas songs.
What's rather marvelous is high the new compositions sit seamlessly alongside these well known, oft-sung standards. I Wanna Kiss You So is an instant pop classic - so full of frivolity and fun that it leaves you beaming from ear to ear, from head to mistle-toe. It's a jubilant celebration of all the exciting stuff that happens around the holiday season - and how crushes you haven't acted on all year round instill a heightened sense of lust in you, meaning it's now or never. The girls convey this brilliantly - and that "bish bash bong, woo" bit is the icing on this very tasty bit of musical Christmas stollen. Not Tonight Santa is a devilishly seductive love letter to frisky Christmas Eve shenanigans ("ooo, you give me something I could never get from Santa Claus" makes the mind boggle with the possibilities). A galloping pace is set by the pogo-ing synths and crunky drums that's as breathtaking as a speedy sleigh ride on a cold winter's night. Clever lyrics and rhyming couplets that would make Des'ree jealous mean you'll be singing this way into New Year. Next up is Count The Days - a more mid-tempo vibe that is set to a lilting guitar and shuffling jingles. It sees our ladies in a more pensive, reflective mood as they long for the company of their loved one. It really does accentuate how, just like good emotions are heightened at this time of year, loneliness feels that little bit more lonely at Christmas. However, when you have songs that have such gorgeous, languorous melody and hopeful lyrics as this, you'll never be all alone while this plays. Like an aural hug when you need it most. The final original song, Christmas Round At Ours, gives you a peek into every British Christmas time ever. You'll be able to recognise elements of your own family within the lyrics while the thrilling and catchy chorus is another indelible smash that you won't be able to get out of your head. All in all, a quite tremendulent collection of songs that have been the soundtrack to many happy memories over the past ten years. Thanks ladies :)
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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