Christmas Song :: Joshua's Reviews

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When I heard that Mannheim Steamroller was releasing a new album with "all new music" I was excited... since I'm a fan of the original early releases, and also it's been some time since Chip Davis has released new Christmas music.

[ + ] "All new music"

After popping the CD into my computer to import it into iTunes I noticed that the album comes in at a pitiful length of 42.5 minutes. What is wrong with musicians these days? CDs can hold up to 80 minutes of music, at the very least give us an hour of enjoyment.

[ - x2 ] Under 60 mins, and under 45 mins

Once I had imported the album into iTunes, it dutifully downloaded the correct album artwork and I went off to listen to the music on my iPod. I queued up the album and couldn't believe my ears. What was this repetitive garbage? The first track "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" was a major let down. I felt that the song has been beaten and dragged on and on for the just over 3.5 min song. It didn't end there. Almost all of the tracks contain repetitive melodies that quickly become extremely annoying.

[ - ] Annoying repetitiveness throughout most of the album

Track number 10: "Traditions of Christmas" is only 36 seconds long!!! It sounds as if it was music from a music box. I can't can't believe they would include a track that is only 36 seconds long.

[ - ] Included a 36 second track

Vocals. Yes I said vocals:

"The Christmas Song," Johnny Mathis
"Above the Northern Lights," Gene Nery
"Frosty the Snowman," a synthesized style voice
"Christmas Lullaby," Olivia Newton-John

[ - x2 ] Incorporated a synthesized style voice to "Frosty the Snowman" that repetitively repeats "Frosty" with a lame echo effect

"Masters in this Hall" was the only track that I felt had the traditional "Mannheim Steamroller" feel from their previous albums: emotion and musical depth... music you want to turn up. The only other track on the album that, in my opinion, had any value was 12. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for it's use of saxophone and a downbeat relaxed feel.

Exclusive bonus track only available at iTunes?

WHAT!?!? Hello... Mannheim Steamroller? Include the "Bonus Track(s)" on the CD, so people buy the CD. Don't make the "Bonus Track(s)" a download only music store exclusive.

Lets see... I could download the 128 bit encoded, DRM encrusted, version of the album with a "bonus track" for $9.99, or I can spend a little more ~ $12.99 for a the CD version and get a better quality version. Which one do you think I'm going to go for? That's right the CD.

If you think I'm going to buy the album twice, you are sadly mistaken.

[ - ] Exclusive "Bonus Track(s)" NOT on the CD but only available if you purchase the complete album from a "digital download only music store"

This album is so pathetic that I've deleted all but two songs "Masters in this Hall" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from my iTunes music library. I can't believe I wasted 42.5 minutes listening to this album.

I'm barely willing to even give this album any star rating, but here goes: 1 out of 5 stars. I'm not even going to bother linking to where visitors can purchase it.

What a joke.

Chip, I fear the Steamroller is out-of-steam.