THE CHRISTMAS ATTIC

" In this room where shadows live and ghosts failed learn time forgives, welcome friends, please stay awhile, our story starts with one small child who spends this night in an attic dark where dreams are stored like sleeping hearts."

Hey, Christmas' coming.I had to find something new to listen to along these long and cold december's nights! Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a good choice, in my honest opinion! I'm not speaking about the nice cover of this good 1998 album, but of the concept of this second effort by the band.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra was formed in 1996 by Paul O'Neill who soon approached long time friends Robert Kinkel and Jon Oliva to form the core of the writing team. They started writing not just albums, but rock operas!

Tracks' theme is about the story of an Angel who was asked by Good Lord to return to Earth on the night of Christmas Eve and leave the one thing behind that would most benefit all of mankind. The quest's main point was that the Angel had to do that mission bringing nothing with him from the heavenly world!

Seven main vocalists, many choristers (even child-choristers), strong and melodic electric guitars, important part for keyboards with all its delightful colours. Rock operas, by their nature, often need the voices to change as the characters change whilst rock bands, normally, only have one or two great vocalists to work with.

I admit this is not a sure progressive-rock effort, being part of the "difficultly definable" so called ART ROCK. The unique story on which the album is based on, is a reassuring evidence for any good prog-rock lover! Paul O'Neill realized that putting the songs within the context of a story would give it a third dimension that would make an additional emotional impact possible. After many listenings I have to say this is definitively a good album! One you have to buy for the next Christmas holidays! What I like most are the songs "Boughs of Holly", "The World That He Sees", "The March of the Kings/ Hark the Herald Angel", the classic based tune "Christmas Canon" and "Appalchian Snowfall".

Merry Christmas to you all, dear prog-rock friends!