Archies Christmas Party CD

In 2008 Fuel 2000 resurrected the Archies and set them to work recording an album of Christmas classics and a couple newly written holiday songs. Utilizing the original voice of Archie Ron Dante on a few songs but focusing on the vocals of Betty and Veronica (Danielle van Zyl and Kelly-Lynn) in an attempt to capture some of the Hannah Montana magic still going strong in 2008, the record won't make anyone forget the charms of the original Archies. The generic pop/rock arrangements and modern recording techniques certainly don't help, but despite the record's flaws, it does provide an innocuous and relatively pleasant alternative to the usual Xmas musical fare. ~ Tim Sendra

When you check the credits of The Archies Christmas Album featuring Betty & Veronica and see two guys credited with programming, you know this is no attempt to re-create the classic bubblegum sound of the original Archies. Instead, what you get is a super clean and processed sound with lots of synths and heavily distorted guitar bashing out some classic Christmas songs and a couple specially written tracks. The mention of Betty and Veronica in the album's title is also key because, even though the original voice of Archie Ron Dante is on board, almost all the lead vocals are provided by female singers (Danielle van Zyl and Kelly-Lynn). Maybe it's because Dante's vocals aren't all that impressive anymore, though his leads on "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Run Rudolph Run" aren't all that bad. More likely the "brain trust" behind the album is trying to cash in on the Hannah Montana/girl pop craze that was still going strong in 2008. They really can't be blamed for trying to chase that crowd; it's just too bad the vocalists they chose are amateurish and awkward at worst, barely passable at best. It's also a problem that the musical backing is so thin and bland. Those are accusations that could never be leveled at the original incarnation of the Archies. Those old records still sound punchy and alive with plenty of rock in the bubblegum; they are also fondly remembered. None of that holds true for this uninspired, ill-conceived album. When you realize that the brain trust and producer of the album is Ron Dante himself, it only makes matters worse. If this disc were a juicy hamburger, even Jughead would turn up his nose in disgust. ~ Tim Sendra

The Archies: Kelly Lynn , Danielle VanZyl, Ron Dante (vocals); Ted Perlman (guitar, keyboards); George Eisaman, Tim Pierce (guitar); Scott Erickson, Bo Donaldson (keyboards); Rick Thibodeau (bass instrument); Billy Haarbauer (drums).

Programmers: Scott Erickson; Ted Perlman.