The Trans Siberian Orchestra
I just got back from seeing TSO in concert. I love these guys. Their version of Carol of the Bells, entitled “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” is quite possibly my favorite Christmas song ever. For those of you who don’t know, if Beethoven and Mannheim Steamroller had a kid, and that kid grew up listening to hair metal, you’d have TSO. They take older classical songs, mostly Christmas music, and update it to a rock sound. They do other music (their version of Carmina Burana is breathtaking), but it’s mostly a Christmas affair. If you like hair metal, classical music, or Christmas music, you should definitely check these guys out, as they know how to rock, in the good way, not like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force (“I don’t need no in-STRUK-shuns to know how to ROCK!"). They mainly do concept albums (like rock operas) that tell stories, so listen to at least a whole CD before you judge them. I’d recommend their first CD, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and if you like that move on to their other pieces. And let it be said, the CD does not do their live show justice. Pyrotechnics, light shows, ad-libbing, it all comes together to make one hell of a show. Listen to their CDs, and if you dig them, maybe I’ll see you there next Christmas.