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Mini Viva - 'I Wish'

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Fraser McAlpine | 10:43 UK time, Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Mini Viva

Pop music is becoming more and more of a cut-throat arena for performers. Now that downloads have destroyed the CD single market AND the idea that an album is anything more than a convenient way to lump a bunch of songs together in a folder, and everyone follows their immediate instinct to buy the song which is earworming around their head, the pressure is on to make songs which GRAB the attention and NEVER LET GO.

And, moments of genuine astonishing inspiration being as short in supply as they ever were (ie. very) this leaves Johnny Pop Star with a limited number of options when it comes to making their potential chart smash stand out from the crowd.

They can make their song louder, weirder, more shrill, more NEEDY than everyone else's, or they can make it BETTER. One's relatively easy, the other's much harder.

(. Never hire a video editor with ADHD.)

Mini Viva have so far attempted both options in their career, and they're only two singles in. 'I Left My Heart In Toyko' was a great bratty calling card, a way to tap you, the listener, in the face repeatedly, demanding a little attention and maybe your pocket money in return for a massive sugar rush.

This song exists in an entirely different league, but I worry that it will struggle to get the same attention as its demanding little sister. It's a more mellow affair, thoughtful and melodic where '...Tokyo' was fizzy and shouty. But, given the chance, it leaves a deeper impression, boasting a mournful chorus worthy of Girls Aloud at their most vulnerable (it's by Xenomania, in case you're wondering).

The trouble is, it's Christmas. And while Jesus had supportive words for the meek, and it's his birthday and everything, it is fair to say that this time of year can provide too many distractions and demands to really devote more than a couple of listens to worthy-but-mellow new pop songs. Especially worthy-but-mellow new pop songs which do not contain sleighbells or lyrics about snow.

So, in this season of goodwill to all, why not spare a thought for those songs which are less demanding of your attention than, say, those supported by a massive TV show/people rebelling against a massive TV show? Why not invest in something which more modest? Why not give the most precious gift of all - your attention - to a shy, but very pretty little ditty who just wants to give you a festive snuggle?

Isn't that what Christmas is all about?*

Four starsDownload: Out now
CD Released: December 14th

´óÏó´«Ã½ Music page

(Fraser McAlpine)

*NOTE: That is not what Christmas is all about.

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