Pokemon - Pokemon: Christmas Bash

Pokemon: Christmas Bash capitalizes on the Pokemon fad in the form of Christmas music that should appeal to all children with a fascination for the game and its characters. The album doesn't stick too closely to tradition for the most part, instead breaking away from the expected favorites like "Frosty the Snowman" and "Silent Night" for more Pokemon-centric fare like "Winter Is the Coolest Time of Year" and "I'm Giving Santa a Pikachu This Christmas." Near the album's conclusion, though, there are a few favorites, such as "Jingle Bells," that parents should recognize and enjoy. Unfortunately, Pokemon's appeal doesn't work that well with Christmas music relative to preceding children's fads like the Chipmunks and the Smurfs. Where those characters transitioned into the world of Christmas music rather well, Pokemon just seems a bit too foreign and otherworldly for something as traditional as Christmas. Either way, any kid who's a fanatic will care more about the Pokemon-ness of this album than the actual music itself, and indeed this album puts a greater emphasis on Pokemon-ness than songwriting and therefore should please the diehards. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi