THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE

If you want to listen to Christmas music, but want music with a litlte more energy, Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the way to go, and this is THE album for you. It is superior to their two previous Christmas albums, and includes one of their most popular songs, Wizards in Winter.

There is not a whole lot to say about this album that doesn't also apply to their first two Christmas albums. Unlike Beethoven's Last Night, the story is not really the highlight here. I do like this story better than their other two Christmas stories, however.

In this album,, the music is unrelentingly catchy. There are high moments, of course, but unlike their previous two albums, there aren't as many songs that seem overfull of exposition. Instead, we get songs like "The Lost Christmas Eve", which advances the story while still creating nice atmosphere and sounding musically interesting.

The ultimate highlight of this album, however, is the instrumentals. This one has the best instrumnentals of all three of their Christmas albums. This includes the aforementioned Wizards in Winter, Queen of the Winter Night, Wish Liszt (Toy Show Madness). The other instrumentals on this one are also great.

This album also include some humour, most notably in "What is Christmas?". In the middle of this song, the singer, lamenting how he hates snow, comments, "I don't even like the sound of it. Now, what was I talking about? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh yeah, I remember." It is just ridiculously cheesy, especially the laugh (which sounds somewhat evil), but in a way that comes across as funny instead of overwrought.

Definitely the highlight of their Christmas trilogy, and the best Christmas album I have heard so far. It does follow the same formula as their previous two, but Trans-Siberian Orchestra has mastered it here, and their Christmas music has never sounded better.

Four stars to any who like to get in the Christmas mood, and a solid three stars for all others (as the music, especially instrumentals, is great).