Customer Reviews

The Christmas Attic

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I'm definitely a fan of the "rock opera"....whether it be The Who's "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia"...or "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Hair" ! So...although I discovered the "Trans Siberian Orchestra" only this holiday season...I immediately became comfortable and hooked when I bought and listened to "Christmas Eve And Other Stories".As a result...I promptly ordered "The Christmas Attic" and "The Lost Christmas Eve" ! I haven't listened to "Lost" yet....but "The Christmas Attic" is absolutely INCREDIBLE ! I LOVE traditional holiday music...but TSO's work is a Christmas adventure...musically and lyrically...it's Christmas music...but it's fresh and different ! If you like metal AND broadway musicals without the "corniness" some had...order any or all of TSO's Christmas CD's...you'll feel a new kind of holiday spirit and they'll become a part of your holiday enjoyment Christmas after Christmas. Turn on the Christmas lights...mix a holiday drink and enjoy "The Christmas Attic" ! Happy Holidays everyone !

I thought this cd was great. the music is traditional and beautiful. These days Christmas songs are all about snowmen and insignificant romances. These songs don't seem so secular. I can't believe that one reviewer said that the songs were too religious for him/her. Why do you celebrate Christmas anyway? There is a point. It's too bad that people shy away from Christmas songs that actually have meaning- that may even mention Christ. Christmas songs should be religious. Anyway, this cd is worth buying along with other Trans-Siberian Orchestra cd's.

When I saw TSO on the Conan O'Brien show (1998), I was immediately swept up in emotion and energy of the musical fusion between neo-classical metal and familar Christmas overtones. The next day I ran out and bought both TSO albums! The music rings in the holiday season with beautiful orchestrations, melodies, vocals, and layered harmonies, while providing a natural adrenaline rush that can induce speeding (if driving). Although I am partial to the instrumentals, the clever alchemy of rock, strings, and vision makes it difficult to pick any favorite tracks since all continue to play over and over in my head long after the CD is turned off. Both TSO albums are great musical additions that do not limit themselves to once a year Christmas play ... but rather to year round play. Savatage lives on in TSO!

Again Trans Siberina Orchestra amaze us with this album called The Christmas Attic, like "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" this album does have the same structure:A summary of the story, and a bit of the whole story before every song wich will help you to understand better. But talking about the music, they have made some changes, this album sounds different than the previous; this one have different styles inside it like blues and rock. Is not better than CE&OS but sure is good. I recommend you to hear some samples before buy it, or download some song (not the whole album) from a P2P program and if you like it then BUY it.

REMEMBER: This album is from a band called Trans Siberian Orchestra wich is a side project of a Power Metal Band called Savatage so if you like power metal it's sure you love this piece of art BUT if you don't like power metal maybe you won't like this album 'cause they put their unique style in the whole album. Of course you don't need to be a metallian to hear this album, my mother like it and she is 52 years old.
So my final quote is: If you like power metal BUY IT, else Try Amazon's music sampler to hear song samples from this album.

For those of you who do not know this, TSO is actually a band called Savatage that has been out since the early 80's. This is indeed an awesome album, their first album "Christmas Eve and Other Stories was rated in the top 5 of all time for christmas albums.

If you like this style, I strongly urge you to check out these albums by Savatage, Dead Winter Dead (a concept about the war in Sarejevo), Streets (a rock opera), The Wake of Magellan (this album helped out a man to reach his family), Gutter Ballet. All albums I give a 5 star rating to. They have many more, but those are in the vain of thier project Tran-Siberian Orcestra.

Let me remind you that TSO, is a side project by Savatage. You can purchase their CD's at this site.

What a blessing to find a little rock & roll mixed with a classical venue. If you like traditional Christmas music this is not for you. But if you appretiate all forms of musical expression, enjoy the true message of the Christams season, like favorite Christmas tunes and love the riffs of rock instrumentation, you'll say, "It's about time!"

Worth 100 times the price in entertainment and listening value. You'll listen that many times too!

In my younger days I used to love buying concept albums. Jethro Tull, Yes, The Who, ELP, Genesis etc. I have always loved all kinds of music, including Christmas music. This is a superb combination of rock opera and Christmas music. It harks the Xmas standards and creates new music that definately hits the holiday spirit. I stumbled on this one and i am very happy I did.

There is no point trying to compare this to Mannheim Steamroller etc.

Admittedly not quite as dynamic as their first album, however, it rapidly grows on you. Another masterpiece by Paul O'Neill. From his early days in Savatage to the inception of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, his genius only gets better and better. A definite follow up need for your CD collection. In combination with "Christmas Eve and Other Stories", one doesn't need any other Christmas music... other Christmas music doesn't really exist when these two albums are around.

If you're into traditional Christmas music this is not for you! This is the first music that has risen goosebumps in I don't know how long. Exciting, wonderful mix of rock and orchestra ... think of ELO with a Christmas theme and you got it. Definitely worth every penny.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra continues to make wonderful music. With the success of Christmas Eve And Other Stories, you'd think it would be hard for TSO to top it, but they have. From the inspiring words of "World That She Sees" to the soothing violins on "Christmas Canon", this album is a must-have for anyone who loves Christmas music. Listening to this album, it is clear that TSO could take any Christmas song out there and make it sound even better. These are not all traditional Christmas songs either. There are a few original songs like "The Snow Came Down" as well as the vocals of the magnificent Joe Cerisano on "Dream Child". TSO doesn't just do rock and roll. Anyone who likes jazz music can appreciate the song "Three Kings And I (What Really Happened)" or just soothing R&B with the song "Music Box Blues", both sung by the incredibly talented Daryl Pediford. "Angel's Share" will give you a good idea of just how powerful this group is. "Boughs Of Holly" is just Deck The Halls taken to a whole new level. You can't go wrong with this album.