Everywhere I go, I pray for universal love.

Before we get too far here, I know.

Bring up Aqua, and it's either love or hate for Barbie Girl. 

So let's be crystal clear again, I'm a big fan. While there's plenty of good melodic angst out there, music can, and should be, just plain fun sometimes! 

These Scandinavian popsters ran with the crazy well before we had the Haus of Gaga. Almost anything off their two albums from the late 1990s and early 2000s will make me smile when it pops up on a playlist, and the neon videos are a hoot! All of this should come as no surprise, since I've said all this before.

It's not just the crazy that endeared me, though. For every song about plastic dolls, candy or cartoon heroes, there were also a few killer less-sugary tracks to balance the palate.

With the band back together more permanently it seems, and about to release a third new album, they have a new single out, and Playmate to Jesus, is a pleasant surprise more along the lines of Turn Back Time, We Belong to the Sea or the more-recent My Mamma Said than to anything technicolor.

Playmate to Jesus

But yeah, it's still Aqua and it does head into the planets, so not too serious either!

Their new album Megalomania is out October 3. I can't find a U.S. date is confirmed, but I already have my signed copy preordered straight from Denmark!

Spin me a Christmas, Guadalupe.

Elevator music doesn't put me in any sort of high holiday spirits, so for that matter, schmaltzy Christmas music doesn't do much for me either.

Bah humbug, you say?

Aqua, though, get it. If there was more Danish-Europop jingle bells playing, maybe holiday shopping wouldn't be so, um, annoyingly snoozeworthy?



And before you think I'm down on everything else holiday, lets give The Killers some credit too. Oddly playful as always this time of year, they're out with their annual Christmas tune, supporting (Red)'s fight against AIDS worldwide -- a great cause for any holiday!



Now maybe someday I'll get something better than Adam Sandler or making dreidels out of clay for Hanukkah.

Bah humbug.

Momma just cross-dressed.

Earlier this summer I tried to raise my enthusiasm for the current Aqua reunion, wondering "if it's a failed gimmick from a band cashing in one last time, or whether it's a self-ironic nod from the ultimate plastic band."

Thankfully I can put those concerns behind me with the latest single they're using to launch their new Greatest Hits collection here stateside.

My Mamma Said is a perfect reunion single, mixing the classic Aqua standards (nice harmonies from Lene Nystrøm Rasted plus Rene Dif's playful spoken stylings) with a slightly more grown up song. The video alone seems so much sleeker than their usual technicolor palette.

Worry not however, this is still Aqua.



Rumor has it, this reunion may have some more-permanent legs next year.

Suddenly, I think this cat may have a few lives yet to go!

When boys wore skinny leather ties, oo-oh-oh, like Don Johnson from Miami Vice.

Think bubblegum-popstars Aqua, and -- more than likely -- the first thing that comes to mind is Barbie Girl.

If you just rolled your eyes, then move right along because this post isn't meant for you.

OK, since you're still reading I can assume you can appreciate the joy that was Aqua in the late 1990s. My iPod will occasionally surprise me with a sugary morsel from any of their albums, and it always makes me smile. This is essential absolute upbeat pop with zero pretenses.

So it's with some trepidation that I encourage you to watch their new single off their new greatest hits album. The band did the whole breakup, creative differences thing, and recently started inching back together. They're even touring again right now, even if it's only on their home Danish turf.

Part of me thinks maybe this genie had it's moment out of the bottle, and I should be happy for what I have with Aquarium and Aquarius and move on with my life.

I really, really want to like Back in the 80s. I've been percolating this one for a bit, trying to decide if it's a failed gimmick from a band cashing in one last time, or whether it's a self-ironic nod from the ultimate plastic band that wasn't even around in the 1980's.

You decide:

The Essence of Aqua

Life in plastic, it's fantastic!



To distill Rick Astley, Right Said Fred and others, click HERE.

Today's science lesson comes thanks to good friend in the Bay Area.

And remember kids: Imagination, life is your creation!

Happy boys and happy girls, will be

OK, so I know sweetness like this won't make it to the Rocky Mountain headwaters, but there's great news gurgling for bubblegum-pop fans around the world.

Come on Barbie, Let's go Party.

Aqua's getting back together!

All that's really confirmed is a tour around their Danish stomping grounds.

I can still hope against hope for a new album full of cheerfulness.

Rumor has it, though, that we may at least get some new tracks from the Scandinavian cheese-gods.