macdaddy3598
12-03-2008, 10:13 PM
Album: A Twisted Christmas (2006)
Artist: Twisted Sister
With the holiday season upon us, I felt it appropriate to share the joy that is A Twisted Christmas.
For a standalone holiday album, the boys of Twisted Sister came together in 2006 for an 11 track yuletide of Hair Metal.
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Admittedly, upon listening to this track for 52 seconds of an untuned horn section, Dee Synder taking himself too seriously and an overall horrible arrangement, I was ready to pack up the CD and bring it back into the store. Then, the "engineer" comes in and stops Dee, explaining that THAT'S not Twisted Sister. A smile crossed my face as the drums kick in and the tempo kicked up. A good, fun start to a great album.
2. Oh Come All Ye Faithful - Now take this church-inspired hymn and back it to the melody of We're Not Gonna Take It. It's an inspired classic as soon as you hear the first riff.
3. White Christmas - A White Christmas indeed. You are greeted with a great rhythm guitar with the volume on 11. Sticking with the traditional lyrics and melody, Twisted Sister makes this one of the better songs to sing to, and rock out with when you hit the guitar solo at about 1:20 in.
4. I'll Be Home For Christmas - With Lita Ford! Hey, Ozzy can't keep her all to himself! Dee and Lita are a match made in metal heaven in this great rendition of a Christmas classic. Just hang in there for Lita to join in about 2/3s into the track. You'll be glad you did.
5. Silver Bells - I am partial to this one since it's my favorite Christmas song. Again, Dee keeps to the original melody making this another great singalong while sipping the spiked eggnog.
6. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - One of their weakest tracks. The hook just isn't there, but it may just be an overload of the song since the Jackson 5 brought it to the pop/rock forefront.
7. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - The 24 second heavy metal intro will get any headbanger's head banging, but the feeling isn't really there until the key changes about a minute in. Dee doesn't seem into this song, although the music itself is well arranged and the most heavy on the disc.
8. Deck The Halls - Another fun singalong, keeping to the original. The backing vocals are remenisant of a satanic choir. The music stays simple with a pounding drum beat, but more alternative-inspired guitar work. You will get a little bored during the breakdown of Come All Ye Faithful about a minute and a half in, just as the FA LA LA LAs are kicking into full gear.
9. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder how such a mellow song can be rearranged into shear hair metal. Hang out until the chorus when the key changes, the arrangement is very well done.
10. Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) - We've all heard renditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Well, sad to say, this is nothing special. It takes a couple listens to hear all the items they mention, but the tempo just doesn't keep me interested. A track-skipper for this disc, I hate to say.
11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - A 36 second ditty involving most likely the whole production crew... by the off-key nature of the song.
Overall, 9/10. I tend to listen to this album all the way through every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a light, fun selection of songs that we all know and love.
~ Mac
Artist: Twisted Sister
With the holiday season upon us, I felt it appropriate to share the joy that is A Twisted Christmas.
For a standalone holiday album, the boys of Twisted Sister came together in 2006 for an 11 track yuletide of Hair Metal.
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Admittedly, upon listening to this track for 52 seconds of an untuned horn section, Dee Synder taking himself too seriously and an overall horrible arrangement, I was ready to pack up the CD and bring it back into the store. Then, the "engineer" comes in and stops Dee, explaining that THAT'S not Twisted Sister. A smile crossed my face as the drums kick in and the tempo kicked up. A good, fun start to a great album.
2. Oh Come All Ye Faithful - Now take this church-inspired hymn and back it to the melody of We're Not Gonna Take It. It's an inspired classic as soon as you hear the first riff.
3. White Christmas - A White Christmas indeed. You are greeted with a great rhythm guitar with the volume on 11. Sticking with the traditional lyrics and melody, Twisted Sister makes this one of the better songs to sing to, and rock out with when you hit the guitar solo at about 1:20 in.
4. I'll Be Home For Christmas - With Lita Ford! Hey, Ozzy can't keep her all to himself! Dee and Lita are a match made in metal heaven in this great rendition of a Christmas classic. Just hang in there for Lita to join in about 2/3s into the track. You'll be glad you did.
5. Silver Bells - I am partial to this one since it's my favorite Christmas song. Again, Dee keeps to the original melody making this another great singalong while sipping the spiked eggnog.
6. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - One of their weakest tracks. The hook just isn't there, but it may just be an overload of the song since the Jackson 5 brought it to the pop/rock forefront.
7. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - The 24 second heavy metal intro will get any headbanger's head banging, but the feeling isn't really there until the key changes about a minute in. Dee doesn't seem into this song, although the music itself is well arranged and the most heavy on the disc.
8. Deck The Halls - Another fun singalong, keeping to the original. The backing vocals are remenisant of a satanic choir. The music stays simple with a pounding drum beat, but more alternative-inspired guitar work. You will get a little bored during the breakdown of Come All Ye Faithful about a minute and a half in, just as the FA LA LA LAs are kicking into full gear.
9. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder how such a mellow song can be rearranged into shear hair metal. Hang out until the chorus when the key changes, the arrangement is very well done.
10. Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) - We've all heard renditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Well, sad to say, this is nothing special. It takes a couple listens to hear all the items they mention, but the tempo just doesn't keep me interested. A track-skipper for this disc, I hate to say.
11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - A 36 second ditty involving most likely the whole production crew... by the off-key nature of the song.
Overall, 9/10. I tend to listen to this album all the way through every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a light, fun selection of songs that we all know and love.
~ Mac
