BRIAN WILSON's Xmas Album

Original released on CD Arista 82876.71809.2

(US 2005, October 18)

"What I Really Want For Christmas" consists mostly of Brian and Wondermints' renditions of US perspective Xmas classics. Even though they are sometimes wonderfully arranged (especially the a cappella "Auld Lang Syne" sounds almost heavenly), I wouldn't care much for such a package. However, there are exceptions among the material – songs composed by Brian Wilson himself. Of those five, "The Man With All the Toys" and "Little Saint Nick" are new versions of Beach Boy originals, with lyrics by Mike Love. The new stuff includes the superb "What I Really Want for Christmas" and "Christmasey." I have the idea that "On Christmas Day" is also 'new', but it isn't that special; it is mostly Brian repeating the Xmas clichés, and one surely remembers Brian has composed both of his masterpieces ("Smile" and "Pet Sounds") with help from an 'outsider' lyricist (Van Dyke Parks and Tony Asher). This time the project has brought the famous Jimmy Webb and Bernie Taupin together with Brian, and the result is a complete success. (in RateYourMusic)