Each week, the staff here at The Anchor give their recommendations on an album, book and movie to enjoy. Here are our recommendations for the week of 12/16-12/22
Album (Mr. Codner): A Very Ping Pong Christmas: Funky Treats from Santa’s Bag by Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra (2007)
Label me a Grinch, if you will, but I abhor Christmas music. During the holidays, I keep my AirPods nearby and drive straight home after school, with the radio off, to avoid public spaces where Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You might be playing.
A Very Ping Pong Christmas is my one exception because it’s an absolute banger of an album that just happens to be holiday-themed. Musical polymath Shawn Lee reinvigorates those stale, overplayed classics like Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, and Jingle Bells with head-bopping back beats smothered with juicy riffs from an array of exotic instruments like the sitar, baritone sax, and theremin, alongside standard funk fare including wah-wah pedals, brass, and mind-bending electric guitar solos.
The result is an album that is both traditional and defiant: imminently replayable, shareable, a little weird, and infinitely cool. Unlike every other Christmas album, it won’t annoy you or get stuck in your head. Funky Treats works as both a conversation piece and background music to keep you firmly in the holiday groove.
Give it a listen or purchase the limited-edition vinyl on Bandcamp.
Book (Castalia L.): Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)
Little Women, honestly, speaks for itself. The renowned classic by Louisa May Alcott has become a symbol of female empowerment, friendship, and sisterhood in a way no other book has, both at the time and since. The family dynamics are expertly portrayed amongst not only the four sisters, but in relation to their parents (despite their smaller role). Each sister, in themselves, is unique and easily differentiated from the others. Their distinctive personalities not only display the important diversity of womanhood, but naturally drive the romances, entanglements, and conflicts. Alcott’s engaging storytelling and moral undertones culminate in a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, cementing Little Women as a cornerstone of American literature. And, it’s perfect to read over the holidays with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket, as part of the book takes place over the March family Christmastime celebrations.
Movie (Castalia L.): National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a staple holiday comedy that hilariously and relatably captures the chaos of family gatherings during the festive season. Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by John Hughes, the film stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a father who, despite the many challenges brought upon by his family and others, is determined to create the perfect Christmas experience. The movie is very over-the-top, but therein lies the charm; the ridiculousness of the scenarios mirror the havoc of the holidays for many, especially those with visiting families, and therefore generates an endearing quality. From an insane Christmas light display to a disastrously awkward and peculiar holiday dinner, the comedy, punctuated by Chase’s performance and brilliant cast of quirky supporting characters, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a must-watch for lovers of an entertaining combination of wit, silliness, and nostalgia.
