Category: altrock

Snow Way: hoping

While on the topic of weather manipulation, let us mention the maudlin machination moaned by Deanna Loveland, “If I Could Make It Snow.” Lite country ballideering with Celine highlights.

The Vamps are heartbroken and snow’s the trigger. “Hoping for Snow” is just twisting the knife in this pop folk tinkler. Whoa whoa whoa baby.

Sarah Close has looped in her universe with a parody of her own minor UK hit ‘Call Me Out’ into “Snow It Down.” I applaud self parody, but this solipsism is only saved by her deservedly diva talent. Siren pop.

Surrounding Cities ice pop music over a garage cinder block with “Hoping for Snow.” It’s hopeful, with an emo twist. (Nice guitar solo.)

Elto2 goes crazy on her uke (not really) with her homegrown folk rock “Hoping for Snow.” Shyly talented.

kb467 posts a ‘traditional’ Christmas song “Hoping for Snow.” Much more Christmas in this ’60s throwback altpop.

Parodies’ Paradise: 2005 “Photograph”

Nickelback’s song was the first single from their fifth studio album, All the Right Reasons… made multiple US and UK top 10 charts, peaking at #1 in several of them, including Billboard‘s US Mainstream Rock, US Pop 100, US Adult Top 40, UK’s Rock and Metal charts too (is this uncategorizable?).

Welcome back the hard working Holderness Family with the hot topic bad Xmas family pix in their “Santa Song.”

Parodies’ Paradise: 2000 “With Arms Wide Open”

From Creed’s second studio album, Human Clay this song topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart (most airplay of a track from an album) for four weeks in July 2000… topped the Billboard‘s Adult Top 40 chart for eight weeks… hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue date… the music video topped VH1’s top ten countdown in 2000… won Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song… also nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Tobuscus self censors a ****** funny “Creed Parody of ‘With Arms Wide Open.'” One of my favorites.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1991 “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Seattle’s grunge inventors Nirvana dropped this opening track and lead single from their second album… it propelled Nevermind to the top of the charts… marked as the point where alternative rock entered the mainstream… their biggest hit… reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100… high on music industry charts all around the world in 1991 and 1992… topped the Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics’ poll… won two MTV Video Music Awards for its music video… dubbed an “anthem for apathetic kids” of Generation X… one of the greatest songs in the history of rock music.

Chris Townsend does his annual bit with “Christmas Parody of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.'” Spirited.

Selahattin Yilmaz has posted a fragment of a nice parody, “Smells Like Christmas Spirit.” More would be better.

Jars of Clay makes the TD with “Smells Like Rudolph.” I’m here to introduce previously unmentioned pariodies, yet i’ve mentioned this one before. It’s so good i have to break rules and mention it again. Bangin’ cool.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1989 “Love Shack”

B-52s had their biggest hit and first million-copy seller with this song…  their first song to reach the Billboard Top 40 charts…  peaking at number 3… also reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart… and number 1 for eight weeks in Australia… number 1 for 4 weeks in New Zealand… number 1 in the Republic of Ireland… number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart… named as one of the 365 Songs of the Century in 2001… named the Best Single of 1989 by Rolling Stone… ranked #246 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Bob Rivers gets on board with “Toy Sack.”

As do The Mistletones with–ahem–“Toy Sack.” They’re lyrically diffie, i swear (mostly).

Parodies’ Paradise: 1984 “One Night in Bangkok”

From Murray Head’s Chess album came a single which topped the charts in many countries, including South Africa, West Germany, Switzerland and Australia… peaked at no. 3 in both Canada and the United States… no. 12 in Head’s native United Kingdom.

Look out public–here’s ApologetiX’s “One Night in Betlehem.”

Tripping Bells: Aftermath

Holy broken homes, Batman, the war on drugs has taken its toll on some families.

Steven Battelle has a pretty little emo plaint about coming to grips with political narcotics-related takeovers following Mrs. Claus on the run from N. Pole nastiness in a clever little video for his song “A Christmas Cartel.” I think the lesson here is deal with it, bitch.

Tripping Bells: Mellow Yellow

Flashback! It’s still acid on Christmas to music.

Here comes Inca Jones again with “LSD Under My Christmas Tree.” Psychedelia! Melts in your mind, not in your thoughts.

After more than three minutes Melissa Reaves steps up and belts out “A Mayberry on Acid Christmas Song.” This gospel revival shaking and rolling feels more like an acid trip than it discusses one.

The Vestibules give us the skinny on the actual trip in “Christmas on Acid.” This is some Chuck Jones cartoon fun. Oh yeah and just say no.

Tripping Bells: Pot [BLUE ALERT]

Why try pot when the weather outside is frightful? Well, according to Garfunkle and Oates, it helps with your social interactions. But, as with many after-school specials, problems have a snowball effect and your skull-fucking leads to a “Scary F**ked Up Christmas,” not the least of your problems being Doug Benson as a paranoid Papa Noel hiding in the bed. Hyperactive folk.