Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Dreams of Fireflies (On a Christmas Night)"

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Dreams of Fireflies (On a Christmas Night)
2012, Lava

1. Winter Palace
2. Dreams of Fireflies (On a Christmas Night)
3. I Had a Memory
4. Someday
5. Time You Should Be Sleeping

Dreams of Fireflies serves as sort of a postlude to the TSO Christmas trilogy. There's no surprises here - if you like TSO, you'll like this little EP. Though there isn't much to be had. There's only five songs and no song is over four minutes long. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but depending on how much you pay for it, you might not feel like you're getting your money's worth. However, the music is awesome as usual. The first two tracks are nice heavy, progressive instrumentals. "Someday" and "Time You Should Be Sleeping" are both good ballads. I say if you liked the trilogy, you probably won't regret picking this up. Love that cover art!

Useless Fact: As far as I know there's no actual story for this album.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "The Lost Christmas Eve"

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve
2004, Atlantic

1. Faith Noel
2. The Lost Christmas Eve
3. Christmas Dreams
4. Wizards in Winter
5. Remember
6. Anno Domine
7. Christmas Concerto
8. Queen of the Winter Night
9. Christmas Nights in Blue
10. Christmas Jazz
11. Christmas Jam
12. Siberian Sleigh Ride
13. What is Christmas?
14. For the Sake of Our Brother
15. The Wisdom of Snow
16. Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)
17. Back To a Reason (Part II)
18. Christmas Bells, Carousels, & Time
19. What Child is This?
20. O Come All Ye Faithful
21. Christmas Canon Rock
22. Different Wings
23. Midnight Clear

Another awesome entry in the TSO discography. Thankfully, the vocalist I hated so much on The Christmas Attic is nowhere to be found. I would venture to say this is probably the best disc out of the three. I especially like the beautiful acoustic closer "Different Wings." The artwork is also really good with an enormous booklet detailing the story. The booklet is so big it doesn't fit in the jewel case!

Useless Fact: The band has two non-seasonal albums, Beethoven's Last Night and Night Castle. Neither of which have anything to do with Christmas.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "The Christmas Attic"

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Christmas Attic
1998, Lava

1. The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
2. Boughs of Holly
3. The World That She Sees
4. The World That He Sees
5. Midnight Christmas Eve
6. The March of the Kings/Hark the Herald Angel Sing
7. The Three Kings and I (What Really Happened)
8. Christmas Cannon
9. Joy of Man's Desire/Angels We Have Heard On High
10. Find Our Way Home
11. Appalachian Snowfall
12. The Music Box
13. The Snow Came Down
14. Christmas In the Air
15. Dream Child
16. An Angel's Share
17. Music Box Blues

I quite enjoyed Christmas Eve and Other Stories so I picked this one up the other day because it was five bucks. "Christmas Cannon" gets played on the radio a lot. Apparently, people rush out and buy this CD thinking the whole thing is like that song and are rather disappointed when it turns out to be a rock opera. Since I knew what to expect I had no such trouble. It's a good touching album with only one single problem. One of the vocalists is awful. He sings on the first couple songs. His voice is loud and deep and doesn't seem to mix with the music. It sounds like he's just yelling half the time. I'm almost embarrassed to play those songs for other people. Aside than that, this is a solid Christmas album with some pretty poignant and beautiful songs. The story involves the angel from the last album and his new mission. I don't know what the faith is of the band, but their lyrics are more Christian than some Christian bands I've heard.

Useless Fact: I had a friend who saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. He took the "orchestra" part of the name a bit too seriously. He was shocked and appalled when he got a loud, bombastic rock concert.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Christmas Eve and Other Stories"

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories
1996, Atlantic

1. An Angel Came Down
2. O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night
3. A Star to Follow
4. First Snow
5. The Silent Nutcracker
6. A Mad Russian's Christmas
7. The Prince of Peace
8. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
9. Good King Joy
10. Ornament
11. The First Noel
12. Old City Bar
13. Promises to Keep
14. This Christmas Day
15. An Angel Returned
16. O Holy Night
17. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Oooh.... a little late for this update. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is most famous for doing what amount to Christmas rock operas. This specific album is famous for "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" which is essentially a metal "Carol of the Bells." It's cool. I like this album a lot even though I think some of the vocals are a little melodramatic for me. If you like your Christmas music with a little crunch then TSO is definitely for you.

Useless Fact: This album features a few guys from Savatage. Guitarist Al Petrilli also played for Megadeth years ago.