Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Item: The Christmas Attic
Author: D_Lister

The Christmas Attic

(1998)

Reviewed by D_Lister

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Label Atlantic Records / Lava RecordsDead Zine1998

classical hard rock progressive rock

This is the second album by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and while they bring us another Christmas album, loaded with the same top quality music, and creative twists on some classic Christmas songs, this CD seems to be slightly lacking. Perhaps it's not really, and perhaps I'm just more inclined to the first album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, simply because it came first. That's a definite possibility. Whatever the case may be I know that when I go to listen to a TSO CD 9 times out of 10 I'll pick up Christmas Eve before The Christmas Attic.

Nothing bad can be said about this album. I feel I need to point that out. If you are truly a TSO freak you'll probably really dig it as they offer pretty much another 16 tracks of very much the same music they put together on their first effort. Massive rock opera styled Christmas tunes with some of the best vocal work ever.

The story, while again a very spiritual and touching one, doesn't seem to have the same emotional pull as did the tale of the lost little girl in Christmas Eve. (As with my other review, the story will be printed below). Just like the music however there's nothing wrong with the story that's presented here. It's a wonderful story, I just think it slightly pales in comparison to their first offering.

Bottom line is for me personally I like having The Christmas Attic and do listen to it, sometimes I play both albums back to back for 2 solid hours of incredible Christmas music. However if you were only so-so on their first album you'll probably not dig this one as much.

7/10