Not many music fans would deny that Brian Wilson is a genius - a flawed, troubled one it's true, but a genius all the same. Unfortunately, all the talent in the world can't do much to redeem this tragically twee album, a sickly schmaltz-fest that vainly tries to recapture the atmosphere of the 1960s when holiday records were all the rage. Most of the tracks here are traditional carols and hymns, given jazzy new arrangements and sung by Wilson in a tone that suggests he's far from sure whether the whole thing is a good idea. There's also two new festive songs, collaborations with Jimmy Webb and Bernie Taupin, which are pleasant enough if not exactly cutting edge. It's great that the chief talent behind one of the greatest bands in history is back making albums again. But the best gift to get him this Christmas would be a full-time songwriter.
