Happy Holidays everybody! It’s the day after Christmas, which the Brits have dubbed “Boxing Day” to utter confusion to most Americans.
And I am sitting, in my house, with a stack of awesome music that I got for Christmas (because I didn’t get any movies this year, boo hoo).
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, “Music from the Films of Tim Burton”
I actually got this weeks before Christmas, but I wanted to share it now, on the appropriate group post for Music. It sets up a fairly good selection of Burton films, missing, unfortunately, a selection from Big Fish and Planet of the Apes. The first four songs are Suite versions of the more popular songs from Sweeney Todd. The album almost moves backward in time for Burton’s films, with this start of his latest from 2007. Ultimately, it is a well structured album. The Batman suite is a little too lengthy, but it is saved with a fast pace flourish from Batman Returns. What impresses me is that music from all different films manages to flow together very well, even from The Nightmare Before Christmas/Christmas Eve Montage into the piano music from The Corpse Bride to Sleepy Hollow. For me, the treasure comes from the chosen selections from Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood, which contrasts the haunting use of choirs that Danny Elfman had for Scissorhands with the surreal theremin Howard Shore used in Wood. A brilliant choice for Burton fans.
The Dresden Dolls, “No, Virginia…”
From one listen, I can already say that this album will be loved by fans. It could be a great introduction into the band for Dolls Virgins, but be prepared for the experimental and the weird. This is the B-Side to the 2006 release of “Yes, Virginia…” Both albums are very unique from the other, but there are common themes of the end of innocence, fame, betrayal. I’m listening as I go, which is a little sad to say. The album art is fantastic, especially on the CD where an arm has “I WAS YOUNG I NEEDED THE MONEY” written on it. Must listen: “Night Reconnaissance.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, “The Lost Christmas Eve”
I like it when TSO creates stories with their CDs. I feel like the story in “The Lost Christmas Eve” is stronger than “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” but not quite as strongly crafted as “Beethoven’s Last Night.” These being the three albums of their’s that I own/listened to all the way through. The unfortunate part is that TSO is a spectacle, really. You have to see them in concert, is what I’m always hearing, but I’ve never been. What’s nice about “The Lost Christmas Eve,” besides the heartbreaking story is “Wizards in Winter”. Yeah, that song from the guy who set up his house lights to play along with the music. The grand tradition of Spectacular, Spectacular Trans-Siberian Orchestra continues… Must Listen: “Wizards in Winter” and “Christmas Nights in Blues.”
Creature Feature, “The Greatest Show Unearthed”
More album art gushing: I absolutely love Gris Grimly. I was so excited to see that he did the album art for Creature Feature, who has crafted an excellent first album. This is for the rocker fan in your life who needs a new band that no one’s ever heard of in order to show off to his/her friends. Well, they are an excellent band. Fans of cult horror movies will also find something to enjoy themselves with while listening, with tracks such as “Aim for the Head,” reminescent of Night of the Living Dead and “Look to the Skies,” for Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The Good Gothy Times keep on rolling with “A Gorey Demise,” a tribute to the wonderful Edward Gorey and a fun way to teach the alphabet to the Addams’ family children. Must Listen: “Buried Alive,” “Aim for the Head”
I hope that you all had a very happy holiday and merry blogging away!
