The giant orchestra/choir/rock band best known for its song "Light & Day" appeared to have faded away, awaiting their cameo on VH1's eventual "I Love the Aughts" special. But they've lunged back into the spotlight in a big way for 2012, with a tour, plans for a live album and documentary, a Halloween concert of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" songs, and a studio album to come next year. Meanwhile, they've also made a stronger bid for the Christmas audience with this 2012 album, following on from their 2011 single "It's Christmas," an archival release we featured here last year. Sorry to say, the single didn't make the playlist for the new album; this is 11 standards bracketed with a couple of short original instrumentals, "A Working Elf's Theme" and "Holidaydream." The total package is more pop than pop-rock, which might be why the single didn't make the cut. "Winter Wonderland" follows "Working Elf" inauspiciously, as it's a slow, rhythmless drone take on the carol. "Let It Snow" has a similar arrangement. "Silent Night" is a harp and piano instrumental and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is mostly a flute-led instrumental, with the title sung once about 42 seconds from the end. "Silver Bells" appears twice, once in a dirgy 7-minute version and later in a 4-minute reprise that is a little brighter in tone, picking up the tempo about halfway through. "White Christmas" is a duet with a child vocalist, and I'm on record as not finding that as precious as most people. The remaining songs utilize the Spree's classic sound more successfully, including "Carol of the Bells (Little Drummer Boy)," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)," a slightly Eastern-sounding "Do You Hear What I Hear," and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," the latter song being a good homage to the original. My verdict is that it's a mixed bag, best for fans of the band and folks who like a little retro '60s (non-rock division) in their holiday. "It's Christmas" remains their best holiday entry so far, at least until Vol. 2.
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