If I hadn't heard this project last year, I'd say this is the freshest Christmas project I've ever heard (you see, this album released last Christmas but did not receive national distribution-so it was re-released this year with national distribution and promotion). It was fresh then and hasn't gone stale in the year since I heard it either.
The reason I call it fresh is that I've never heard a contemporary orchestral Christmas opera before (if one exists, it has somehow eluded me). If you aren't sure what I'm talking about by contemporary orchestra, I'm referring to a modernized orchestra that boasts electric guitars and basses. If you've seen the end of the movie Mr. Holland's Opus you know what I'm talking about. I guess I could get away with calling this a Christmas rock opera.
To appreciate this, you really have to be in the mood for something totally unlike any other Christmas music you're hearing these days. It covers the musical range from a gentle acoustic guitar-led instrumental to a soft carol by a boys choir to blaring electric guitar riffs across a moving instrumental. Most of the songs are original compositions, often pulling a few musical passages or lyrics from a well-known carol. This should be apparent from titles like "The Silent Nutcracker," "Good King Joy," and "A Star To Follow."
There is a story woven through the project, most of it told in the song "Old City Bar." To understand how the songs tie together, you have to read the story printed in the liner notes. I won't spoil the story for you...
Obviously, if you're looking for traditional music, you'll be hugely annoyed with this project. If you want something a little different (with a song title of "A Mad Russian's Christmas" what else would you expect?), then this might be for you.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Shari LloydTrans-Siberian Orchestra is a side-project of Savatage and producer/songwriter Paul O'Neill. Part of the album is a reworking of Christmas classics into a symphonic prog rock format. The album effectively combines the impact of both an orchestra and a full chorus with the harder edge of a rock 'n' roll band. You'll find everything from the usual rock band instruments to French horns and cellos,…Similar sounding releases
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