Rating: 8 / 10 Stars
LUMINARE CHRISTMAS! is: Hayley Stayner (vocals), Neal Middleton (vocals), Amy Geis (vocals), Pino Farina (vocals), Erica Carpenedo (violin), Rob Landes (violin), Brad Lang (bass), Brady Bills (bass/guitar), Dan Peters (guitar), Sarah Tomek (drums), John Blasucci (arranger/keyboards/drum programming)
REVIEW – Get ready to deck the halls and raise your horns—LUMINARE CHRISTMAS! is set to drop their electrifying debut album ‘Mistletoe Madness’ on November 22, 2024 via Frontiers Music Srl. Led by composer, arranger, and keyboardist John Blasucci, the ensemble delivers a symphonic holiday rock experience that fuses cinematic flair, festive nostalgia, and arena-sized energy into one high-octane sleigh ride.
The album kicks off with “The Light That Shines”, a sentimental opener that invites you to close your eyes and get swept up in the glow of the season. The title track “Mistletoe Madness” bursts with contagious energy and catchy hooks—a holiday anthem you’ll be humming long after the decorations come down. Their take on “Oh Holy Night” is soft, stirring, and beautifully restrained, letting the vocal arrangements truly shine.
“Carol of the Bells” floats in on a sea of melodies, building with drama and grace, while “Toy Soldiers” taps directly into childlike wonder with playful rhythms and nostalgic charm. “Like A Child” carries that warmth forward, its emotional pull bringing a joyful tear to your eye. The pace shifts with “A Ray of Hope”, a track that dares you not to dance, bursting with cheerful optimism and rhythmic punch.
“Winter” turns up the volume with a rock-infused storm of strings and guitar, perfect for uniting the crowd. “His Majesty” slows things back down into a powerful, reverent ballad with soaring instrumentation. Closer “You Look Like Christmas” drifts by like snowfall, wrapping the album in shimmering sentiment and gentle vocals.
From Mannheim Steamroller-style arrangements to Trans-Siberian Orchestra theatrics, ‘Mistletoe Madness’ offers something for every holiday music lover. It’s festive, fun, and packed with musical prowess—especially in its violin work, guitar leads, and choral layering. While not every track reinvents the sleigh bell wheel, the album’s spirit, talent, and ambition shine brightly from start to finish.
For more information on LUMINARE CHRISTMAS!, visit:
www.LuminareMusic.com
www.Facebook.com/LuminareChristmas
www.Instagram.com/Luminare_Christmas
www.YouTube.com/@LuminareChristmas
www.Spotify.com/Artist/LuminareChristmas
