EW's GRADE
F

Details Lead Performance: Mannheim Steamroller; Genre: Holiday

If you wondered what it'd feel like to be brainwashed for the holidays, check out the fourth Xmas album, The Christmas Angel — A Family Story from Moog-hugger Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller. His incoherent attempt at a New Age Nutcracker sandwiches excerpts from an original narrative poem between mock-ELP synth jigs that recycle old Mannheim mush. Co-narrating with Olivia Newton-John, Davis sounds like the world's creepiest youth-group leader, sharing the story of an angelic tree ornament that enters into interdimensional battle with an evil gorgon. Yes, Virginia, there is a hell. F

Originally posted Dec 04, 1998 Published in issue #461 Dec 04, 1998 Order article reprints

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