Website Comments and Review

The news that Brian was following up SMiLE with a Christmas album was seen by many as something as a cop-out. However it was encouraging that Brian was still making new music, and after the emotion of completing SMiLE, seasonal music was certainly the ideal "chill-out."

There are only two "new" songs here, of course, the title track with lyrics by Bernie Taupin, and Christmasey, featuring lyrics from Jimmy Webb.Both of these have strong melodies, indicating that Brian is possibly back into the writing "groove" -even if there isn't the quantity of old, there is some satisfaction that these are two very satisfactory entries to the Christmas canon.

For the rest, we have re-makes of two Beach Boys classics and the remainder is Christmas standards. Noteworthy is the strong spiritual element -far more than the Beach Boys' Christmas Album, and also the use of some very nice production tricks -the nice instumental touches and harmonies do make this a very nice Christmas album.

All in all, it is a seasonal album, and will never be a top-level classic, given the recycling of material used. However, it is very much a "Brian" Christmas album with some original songs, and many original touches, and for this listener, has to be regarded as a success.

RATING: 7.5 out of 10