Have A Yule That's Cool
It's Xmas Eve as I write this and work is just about done, barring this newsletter - but there's a pressing need for one, because it's also... METAMORPHO EVE!
WHAT'S OUT THIS XMAS?
Metamorpho: The Element Man #1, that's what!
What's to say about this that hasn't been said? It's our love letter to swingin' sixties comics in general and Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon in particular - a groovy all-ages romp designed to give every reader a break from their troubles and a warm glow in the cockles of their hearts. Plus there's action, mystery, adventure and chemistry! Who's behind Cy.C.L.O.P.S.? What's going down in the Ra-Realm? Who is the menacing Mister 3, and what's his numerical secret? What mysteries does the new Stagg HQ hide? All this and the riotous return of Agent Urania Blackwell - A.K.A. the one and only Element Gal! It's a solid gone gas as only Steve Lieber could draw it! Only Lee Loughridge could color it! Only Ferran Delgado could letter it! And only I could cash a check for it! Pull up a groove and get fabulous, Metamaniacs - the New Age of Metamorpho begins here!
LET'S CELEBRATE WITH A TOP FIVE!
It is Xmas, after all - and with Xmas comes the dusting off of the Xmas playlist, reinforced with some new tunes. So what are my Top Five Additions To My Xmas Playlist? The answers may shock you!
#5 - "Yorkshire Wassail" - Leigh Ann Hussey & Black Oak Coven
Our wassail-cup is made of the rosemary tree, and so is your beer of the best barley.
I enjoy a bit of paganism as part of the season and I do like to include a carol or two among the more rocking Xmas hits, so this is a nice little combo to sprinkle inamongst the festivities. I particularly like hearing about the butler with his golden ring.
#4 - "Santa's Beard" - They Might Be Giants
I wish he would go! He's breaking up my home!
A fun twist on the classic "I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus" genre - this time the voyeur is a grown man who's appalled at the unsanctioned hotwifing with the man in red. As in the old fave, Santa is not a jolly old elf but an all-too-human man, though he may be a Daddy.
#3 - "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" - Lake Street Dive
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses, I only like hippopotamuses.
A classic of the "I want an unlikely present-slash-companion for Xmas" type song - the big one of those is the Dalek one, but I find that one a little grating, and not just because of the Dalek voice. That one feels a little irony-poisoned, a little too camp for Christmas - this has just the right amount of childlike wonder. You can really believe the little scamp actually thinks they're getting a hippo for Xmas - rules-lawyering by bringing in teacher to confirm that the beast is vegetarian is the perfect finishing touch.
#2 - "Joy" - Tracey Thorn
You loved it as a kid, and now you need it more than you ever did.
A genre of Xmas song Greg Lake fans will know well, though I think this probably goes a little harder than Greg - the Lakester has a somewhat mystical bent to his Xmas downer, which appeals, but offers a lot of cynicism and not so much hope. This doesn't exactly offer hope either, but it does offer strength and love - the enemy is at the door, but every glad emotion we can snatch back from them is a victory, and that's Xmas too.
#1 - "Cool Yule" - Bette Midler
You're gonna flip when old Saint Nick takes a lick on a peppermint stick.
It being Metamorpho Day, I picked a very jazzy item full of bop talk for #1 to lift my spirits - this one's loaded full of cats, grooves, things that are crazy or the most, the word "dig", it's a smorgasbord and frankly what I'll probably need to keep me cheery while I'm peeling spuds, crossing sprouts and basting the turkey tomorrow... well, that and a smoky old fashioned.
HOLY NIGHT, IS THAT THE TIME?
I've got to get my stocking hung by the chimney with care over here! As always, love and strength to those who need it, particularly here at the holiday season, and as is tradition I'll play us out for Xmas with the unbeaten champion of Yuletide songs - the merrie folk of Jethro Tull with "Ring Out, Solstice Bells"!
Praise be to the distant sister Sun.
