Mark Tremonti – Christmas Classics New & Old

14th December 2023 0 By George Simpson

As far as side projects go, Mark Tremonti‘s part time delving into the world of easy listening crooning certainly left the collective flabbers of fans of his work with Alter Bridge, Tremonti and Creed well and truly ghasted. Having released an album of Frank Sinatra covers in 2022, here he follows it up with this seasonal offering. It’ll get even the hardest metal heart spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear, as Buddy the Elf would say.

Let’s be honest, we’ve seen and heard him doing backing vocals for years, but who knew there was a voice like this lurking somewhere between the music and Myles Kennedy‘s vocals. Indeed, he sounds like a seasoned crooner, totally at home in these surroundings. As well as allowing him to indulge himself musically, there’s also a more important reason for doing this. All proceeds from both albums go to his own Taking A Chance For Charity organisation that helps people with developmental disabilities. It’s a cause very close to his heart. He launched it after his daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

The album itself is a total 180 degree turn from his day job. There’s not a hint of the shredding guitarist we all know him as. However, he is backed by a full orchestra here, and in the process has created a warm, timeless sounding Christmas album. As a result you can’t help but picture yourself relaxing in front of a roaring fire whilst listening to it. Of course, this isn’t going to be of interest to everyone on Planet Metal, but you have to applaud him for taking the leap into the unknown with these albums.

In addition to nine Christmas classics, the album also features a brand new track Christmas Morning. Of course, each of the familiar seasonal bangers are given faithful renditions. As a result, there’s nothing surprising on offer here musically. It’s very much in the Sinatra/Nat King Cole tradition, though without ever being as nauseating as Buble. However, as a reviewer, it leaves you in a bit of a quandry, as you don’t need me to tell you how it sounds, or which is the stand out track is etc. Unless you’ve just landed from Planet Zogg, you’re going to be very familiar with these songs.

In the case of Christmas Morning, you scratch your head wondering if you’ve heard somewhere before. Obviously, it’s unlikely to become a seasonal cash cow that will make thousands of pounds/dollars each year, but it’s a pleasant listen. Bearing all hallmarks of a traditional seasonal offering, it certainly doesn’t appear out of place here.

Let’s be honest, this is not going to be the type of music most of us listen to regularly. It’s still a very worthy one-spin-a-year type album though, to get you in the festive spirit. This is an album that comes from the heart of him on both a musical and personal level. So, grab yourself a wee dram of your choice, put a roaring fire YouTube clip on the telly, sit back, and give it a listen. After all, it’s Christmas, the album is for a good cause, and its infinitely more bearable than Buble!!

Score: 8/10