SONG FOR MADONNA

An ode to Madonna's overpublicized upcoming nuptials, with apologies to Javits and Springer and to Eartha Kitt.

Santa baby just slip my Guy right under the tree (Ritchie)

I've been an awful good girl, Santa baby

So hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby appropriating music and trends

Just means

I'm an "innovator," Santa baby

So hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of how they'll say I'm chic!

Think of how the press will rush to Scotland quick!

Married in the castle walls

Michael Douglas will be sick!

Santa honey I'm popping out these babies, it's so Trendy

Getting burgled is too, Santa baby

So hurry down the chimney tonight.

At least the couple hasn't sold the photo rights to O.K magazine. Yet.

RETROSPECTIVE

Was it a good year for music? I think so, actually. There were some amazing hip-hop albums released-Outkast's Stankonia and Jurassic 5's Quality Control come immediately to mind, while Eminem is undoubtedly talented as hell. In the soul/R&B section, D'Angelo's second album was competent, but the stunner was Jill Scott. Dance music did well by compilations, and even managed a few good albums (Groove Armada's Vertigo, David Holmes' Bow Down to the Exit Sign) in what is generally a singles-driven culture. As for pop-well, some records were set by various assortments of platinum-bleached boy and girl wonders. But Aimee Mann's work on the Magnolia soundtrack was impressive, and despite the fun I poked at her, I'll say that Madonna's Music is really an infectious album.

Meanwhile, British indie-rock mined a spectacularly rich vein of introspection, with great albums by Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay, Travis and, of course, Radiohead.

But whatever happened to good ol' American rock? At the Drive In, Grandaddy and Queens of the Stone Age all had solid releases, but they hardly got any airplay. Meanwhile, the less compelling sounds of Creed, Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach hogged the headlines and sales racks. (Oh, and Bon Jovi returned. Apparently that mattered to some people.)

Underappreciated album of 2000? In my book, Shelby Lynne's I Am Shelby Lynne.

MUSIC-GEEK DEBATE OF THE YEAR

Did the album die in 2000, to be replaced by your MP3 playlist?

IT RUNS THROUGH IT

Christmas song of the season: Robert Downey Jr.'s version of Joni Mitchell's "River," the highlight of his incredible season on "Ally McBeal." Problem is, you'll have to suffer the ignominy of having the A Very Ally Christmas album on your shelf if you want to hear it.

SAY THEIR NAME SAY THEIR NAME

Continuing a good streak for Harvard bands at T.T. The Bear's, Ensimismada perform at the venue this week on Dec 17, 11:30 p.m. (Pictured to the right is band member Zeke Reich '03.) And for those in New York City over winter break, the band will play at the legendary CBGB's club (315 Bowery St.) on Dec. 26 and at the Sidewalk Cafe (94 Avenue A) on Dec. 27. (Damn, and there I was thinking I was being cool by spending part of winter break in Iceland.) Visit www.ensimismada.com for more details or to hear their songs.

In other campus-music news, funksters FinkFankFunk take over the Adams House Lower Common Room today at 10pm. Otherwise, there's not much in the way of music news. Mike Rutherford says Genesis are now probably-slash-certainly "over." Ooh, big deal. Speaking of Genesis, or at least ex-Genesis members, can someone explain why rappers love Phil Collins? See Tupac's "Staring Thru My Rearview" and Eminem's "Stan."

EMERITUS

"Better stop dreaming of the quiet life 'cos it's the one we'll never know"-The Jam, "A Town Called Malice"

This will be my final column as music editor-although my In the Mix column will remain a feature of the music page for the next few months, I'm no longer in charge of selecting what gets covered or what gets written about. Back to being an ordinary schmoe who owns way too many records and CDs. Those of you who need to contact the Crimson regarding music matters can e-mail Thalia Field at music@thecrimson.com.

And although it's been said, many times, many ways, merry Christmas-or whichever one of this season's holidays you celebrate. Back in 2001. (Cue strains of Strauss.)

Comments, Disagreements?

E-mail dsng@fas.harvard.edu or visit www.dsng.net