Family Force 5 - Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant

Producer: Joe Baldridge
Record Label:  Tooth & Nail Records
Website:  http://www.myspace.com/familyforce5

It seems to be all the rage this year for popular indie and alternative rock bands to release Christmas albums or EPs.  Already this year we’ve seen acts like Seabird, House of Heroes, and Downhere release highly praised and visible Christmas recordings.  Family Force 5 is the next group to release their highly anticipated Holiday record - Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant.  Christmas Pageant picks up where Dance or Die left off - as it’s a very danceable, high energy release.  The album kicks off with “Carol of the Bells” with its dirty south feel before hopping right into “Little Drummer Boy.”  All of these songs get a vibrant facelift like only Family Force 5 can give them.  Vocals recorded through a voice box or falsetto renditions are prevalent here - and only a band like Family Force 5 can pull off such sounds for an entire recording.  “It’s Christmas Day” has a fresh, pop sound, while “Wonderful Christmas Time” sounds extremely similar to the original Paul McCartney version.  “Christmas Time Is Here” has a nice driving beat - but it really loses some of the original’s charm in this setting.  “Do You Hear What I Hear” can get a bit repetitive, but that’s a minor complaint.  The record has two original tunes - “The Baby” and “It’s Christmas Day.”  “The Baby” is signature Family Force 5 with crunching guitars and a real driving melody.  “It’s Christmas Day” is a bit more subdued than the rest of the record.  “My Favorite Things” get s a complete make over compared to the Julie Andrews original.  The syncopated melody and fresh guitar backdrop help take the song to a completely new level.  Overall, Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant is a definite unique entry into this year’s holiday releases.  It’s the perfect release for people who find they don’t like most of what comes down the pike in terms of Christmas music.  Christmas Pageant is a fun Christmas release that people will surely love.