Tag: Lichtblick

Lichtblick – In der Weihnachtsbäckerei

“Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse it had lip-smacking noises in the middle eight.”

Tim: Care to see what’s coming out of Germany this festive period?

Tom: What, again? I wasn’t impressed last time, and now you’re bringing the B-side?

Tom: It’s terrible! For different reasons!

Tim: The second track released by this lovely group, it’s a cover of a 1987 track by Rolf Zuckowski, the title of which translates as ‘In The Winter Bakery’, inspired by Rolf’s phone call to his wife where he found out his kids were baking biscuits for him when he arrived home after a gig. And isn’t that just the most heartwarming tale of all?

Tom: Or sickening.

Tim: Or sickening, whichever.

Tom: I mean, I realise it’s a schlager cover of a kids’ song, so maybe I should just shut my mouth, but I reckon this what schlager sounds like to people who don’t like schlager. Does that make sense? Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse it had lip-smacking noises in the middle eight.

Tim: Here’s a promise for you, Tom: how annoying you may find this, you’d find it at least 700% more annoying if the lyrics were in English, because MY GOD are they twee. However. It’s Christmas. FAMILY TIME. And so we should celebrate every part of it. Right?

Tom: We’re half way through “Can We Get Tom Feeling Festive”, Tim, and so far it’s not going well.

Lichtblick – Dear Mr Santa

“If you’re translating that right, it’s basically ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ with less consent.”

Tim: Care to see what’s coming out of Germany this festive period?

Tom: “Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby”. Maybe there’s no equivalent in German, and that’s a bit like English speakers saying “schadenfreude”.

Tim: “I don’t want a white Christmas, I don’t care for presents, all I want is for you to bring him back.” Taken literally that might lead to a slightly disturbing situation (“Ho ho ho!” “Santa! Have you brought me my presents?” “No, I’m afraid I’m here to kidnap you and give you to that girl you broke up with.”) but let’s face it, it’s almost a tradition for Christmas song lyrics to make no sense if you think about them for more than half a second, so never mind.

Tom: If you’re translating that right, it’s basically “All I Want For Christmas Is You” with less consent. But sure, let’s ignore the lyrics.

Tim: Instead, the music, which brought a smile to my face within a couple of seconds of pressing play. It is joyful and tinkly and infectious, and I was joyously singing along to the chorus the second time it came around (the English bits, anyway).

Tom: I’ll give it credit for precisely one thing: that unnecessary, cheesy electric guitar riff in the background. That did make me smile. Apart from that, I can’t say I’m impressed.

Tim: That six note descending bit that hits just before each verse is absolutely wonderful and makes me smile every time it comes around, and all in all I love it: it’s cheesy German pop, done festive. And as far as I’m concerned that’s a recipe for perfection.

Tom: Can I hum the chorus after one listen? Yes. Do I want to? No. No I don’t.

Lichtblick – Tausend und eine Nacht

“Those synths in the pre-chorus are right out of the early 2000s.”

Tim: Finishing up the week, we’re still female, still electro (technically), but I think you’ll have a bit more time for this, A Thousand and One Nights…

Tim: Better?

Tom: Ahahaha. That is not electropop. I mean, yes, it is pop, and it is made with electronics, but you’re right to finish the week off on this one, I’m much happier.

Tim: Oh, I’m very glad to hear that. It’s the debut single from the four of them, who are (according to the YouTube description, at least) the first schlager girl group in Germany. I’m having trouble believing that’s true, but if this is what we’re getting then I’m all for it – their name, after all, does translate as Ray of Hope.

Tom: See, this is still a bit forgettable. If I was blind to music genres, I’d rate this the same as the previous few days’ attempts — but blimey, those synths in the pre-chorus are right out of the early 2000s, and they hit every nostalgia button. I can’t not like it.

Tim: Would I have liked a key change? Yes, of course I would, because that build up into the final chorus was pleading for one. Otherwise: VERY PROMISING.