I wouldn't be doing my job as a holiday blogger if I didn't mention the phenomenon that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I've seen their CD's in stores and even know a few fairly-normal people who are into them, but I had never experienced their music. Until tonight.
The music itself did not disappoint; after all, I had gone into this with extremely low expectations. Any group whose named is written in a font with that much flourish is immediately suspect in my book. Band name fonts should, in my opinion, never scroll beyond the rakish lean characterized by the cover art of the Rolling Stones. I think Amy Grant may have more have a slightly-more fancified font than TSO, but she is a super sweet girl, so it's cool.
I couldn't stomach listening to much of their music, but I guess I'd describe it as syntho-pop with a vaguely yuletide aftertaste.
What did disappoint me was when, after doing a bit of research, I found out that the members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra are neither trannies nor Siberian. And there are only three of them, backed by an orchestra. That'd be like me putting three-legged Chinese gymnast on my business cards.
What fills me with awe about this group of lads, though, is what their music inspires people to do. Much space on YouTube is dedicated to the holiday displays set to their music that fans across the country have created. It's not my cup of tea, and I'd hate to live anywhere near such a thing, but you gotta recognize the time and dedication people put into this. Thanks to the YouTube clips, Wikipedia, and the official TSO website, I now know the legend of Carson Williams, the man who, in 2005, started this craze (and who looks EXACTLY like the sort of guy who would dream something like this up).
As good capitalists, the guys in the band and their marketing department have arranged for a Kitsch up Your House with Holiday Lights Set to Our Music Contest this year to inspire folks to celebrate the season in grand style, run up their electric bills, and buy some more TSO music. (Oh, and the Grand Prize includes a trip to Chicago! Yes!) Go the the band's website to get info about the contest. But don't dawdle; entries are due by December 12th.