CD REVIEW: Trans-Siberian Orchestra takes a wrong turn

By Diana Nollen

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has exceeded its goal of emulating over-the-top music and production values with “Night Castle.”

This new CD, to be showcased in the group's annual November-December tour stopping in Moline, Ill., and Des Moines, is not a feel-good Christmas rock extravaganza.

Instead, it's a dark and epic two-disc set that crashes a concept album into the rock opera realm. It employs vocal soloists and a Greek chorus to tell the story of a 7-year-old girl who sneaks down to the beach after dark to see an amazing sand castle. There, she meets a mysterious figure and they embark on a creepy storybook kind of journey outlined in a 68-page book that replaces traditional liner notes.

The music begins with a foreboding, bombastic mix of chorus and instrumentals spiraling downward, then launches into the tale with songs familiar and new. “Night Enchanted” is just weird, with passages reminiscent of the “Hallelujah Chorus” mixed with soft, angelic soprano harmonies followed by “Childhood Dreams,” which hammers home “childhood” over and over and over and over in a most annoying way.

Other tracks feature raucous rock vocal solos or wild electronica versions of classical works. The whole thing plays out like some sort of wild nightmare ride through a demented amusement park.

While no one would ever call this a holiday CD, one of my favorite tracks was a cover of Emerson, Lake and Palmer's “Nutrocker.” Lest you get all sentimental and start seeing sugarplums dancing a dervish, the next track is the opening chorus to “Carmina Burana,” which should serve as an omen. Too bad it comes near the end.

Listen if you dare.

FAST TAKEInformation: www.trans-siberian.com

Title: “Night Castle”

Artist: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Label: Atlantic Recording Corp.

In Moline: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, I Wireless Center. Tickets: $28.50 to $57.50 at www.livenation.com, www.ticketmaster.com, 1-(800) 745-3000 or I Wireless box office

In Des Moines: 7:30 p.m. Dec 22, Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets: $27 to $57.50 at the Wells Fargo box office, www.iowaeventscenter.com or 1-(866) 55-DAHLS