Boy band or not, I am reminded every year of the vocal talent of 98 Degrees when I listen to their Christmas album. Yes, a few of the songs are original pop and not especially wonderful (did we really need two versions of This Gift?), but they do pleasant versions of many classics. They're rarely overworked, there's not excessive use of a drumset beat, and the two a capella songs on the album (I'll Be Home for Christmas and Ave Maria) display beautiful harmony. The voices of this group blend so well, and I love that they gave the bass voice a solo for once!
Cheesy as it may be at times, I love getting out this CD every year.
Other top Christmas music:
- Mannheim Steamroller- my dad's music of choice on Christmas morning.
- The Nutcracker Suite- the regular one, and the version by the Brian Setzer Orchestra (after years of ballet and band, I can't resist it)
- Celine Dion- These Are Special Times
- Josh Groban- Noel (as well as O Holy Night, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, and Believe, all of which can fit as Christmas music but just aren't on that CD)
- Sleigh Ride- another one that I like more for having been in band
- Silent Night/ Night of Silence. (Night of Silence is a song meant to be sung with Silent Night, and it gives the original some gorgeous overlapping harmony.)
I'm also anxious to hear Andrea Bocelli's Christmas CD, because- well, it's Andrea Bocelli. He's a bit too classical for my taste usually, but I imagine his voice will be perfect with Christmas music.
Anyway- I'm starting to get way in a Christmasy mood. Any Christmas/ holiday music recommendations for me to look up?
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
in stereo
I bought a "Retro 90's" CD yesterday. We're really old enough that the 90's are "retro"? Seriously, the 90's aren't even two decades away yet.
Anyway, here's the songlist, for anyone who's interested.
There are a couple I don't really know, or don't know well, but for the most part it's been fun. Except that I feel old. I'm not like some people who practically only listen to music groups who are all/partly dead/broken up already.
This is music I listened to growing up. I specifically remember listening to the radio and hitting record on my tape deck when I recognized the intros to some of these songs (after the freaking DJ finally shut up). I made my own mixtapes- and now the only mixtape I've listened to in ages is this one.
I had an old stereo for part of the time growing up which still had an 8-track, and I had two I could listen to. That was mostly old and out of vogue, though, so I mostly had cassettes. Before too long, the CD gained popularity and beat out tapes.
(Fun fact: My first CD was Smash Mouth's Fush Yu Mang, with their first big song "Walkin' on the Sun" (which is actually the first track on my *retro* CD). My brother bought it for me, although I wasn't big on Smash Mouth, because he was. And if he bought it for me for my birthday, he could borrow it and listen to it more than me- which is exactly what happened.)
Anyway, then CD players got better. First, they started to have "non-skip" features, although it was expensive at first. Second, the world of computers became more advanced and CD burners made it possible to make your own mixtape, without that annoying DJ.
The Internet didn't waste much time with legal mp3's, and Napster was quickly a thing. A big thing. Along with LimeWire, Kazaa, and a number of other file-sharing services, until the RIAA cracked down.
And as mp3's and the world of digital media grew, the iPod broke into the world and has continually shrunken in size. While Zunes and other mp3 players have played a part, the iPod has become an icon, and most middle and high school kids today seem to hardly use CD players, much less tape players or anything more ancient.
I know the overhaul of music technology isn't anything new-- anyone who remembers records has seen even more-- but it's still kind of amazing to me. I'm only 21, and just barely, and I've seen the regular and widespread use of three different kinds of music players- and my parents had some 8-tracks and records, still, so even those weren't too far off.
Jeez, what's next? The shows I grew up watching (with stars my age) are on Nick at Nite, some of the music I grew up listening to is on a retro compilation CD, I'm legal to do about anything anyone in this country can do (except run for president), and I've got a year left before I graduate and get a real, full-time job.
I feel olllld. :( Already!
Anyway, here's the songlist, for anyone who's interested.
| 1. Walking on the Sun - Smash Mouth |
| 2. I've Been Thinking About You - Londonbeat |
| 3. Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms |
| 4. Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something |
| 5. What's Up - 4 Non Blondes |
| 6. How Bizarre - OMC |
| 7. Tubthumping - Chumbawamba |
| 8. Closing Time - Semisonic |
| 9. All for You - Sister Hazel |
| 10. Hole Hearted - Extreme |
| 11. Roll to Me - Del Amitri |
| 12. Kiss the Rain - Billie Myers |
| 13. I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf |
| 14. Cat's in the Cradle - Ugly Kid Joe |
| 15. I'll See You in My Dreams - Giant |
| 16. MMM Bop - Hanson |
There are a couple I don't really know, or don't know well, but for the most part it's been fun. Except that I feel old. I'm not like some people who practically only listen to music groups who are all/partly dead/broken up already.
This is music I listened to growing up. I specifically remember listening to the radio and hitting record on my tape deck when I recognized the intros to some of these songs (after the freaking DJ finally shut up). I made my own mixtapes- and now the only mixtape I've listened to in ages is this one.
I had an old stereo for part of the time growing up which still had an 8-track, and I had two I could listen to. That was mostly old and out of vogue, though, so I mostly had cassettes. Before too long, the CD gained popularity and beat out tapes.
(Fun fact: My first CD was Smash Mouth's Fush Yu Mang, with their first big song "Walkin' on the Sun" (which is actually the first track on my *retro* CD). My brother bought it for me, although I wasn't big on Smash Mouth, because he was. And if he bought it for me for my birthday, he could borrow it and listen to it more than me- which is exactly what happened.)
Anyway, then CD players got better. First, they started to have "non-skip" features, although it was expensive at first. Second, the world of computers became more advanced and CD burners made it possible to make your own mixtape, without that annoying DJ.
The Internet didn't waste much time with legal mp3's, and Napster was quickly a thing. A big thing. Along with LimeWire, Kazaa, and a number of other file-sharing services, until the RIAA cracked down.
And as mp3's and the world of digital media grew, the iPod broke into the world and has continually shrunken in size. While Zunes and other mp3 players have played a part, the iPod has become an icon, and most middle and high school kids today seem to hardly use CD players, much less tape players or anything more ancient.
I know the overhaul of music technology isn't anything new-- anyone who remembers records has seen even more-- but it's still kind of amazing to me. I'm only 21, and just barely, and I've seen the regular and widespread use of three different kinds of music players- and my parents had some 8-tracks and records, still, so even those weren't too far off.
Jeez, what's next? The shows I grew up watching (with stars my age) are on Nick at Nite, some of the music I grew up listening to is on a retro compilation CD, I'm legal to do about anything anyone in this country can do (except run for president), and I've got a year left before I graduate and get a real, full-time job.
I feel olllld. :( Already!
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