Brian Wilson

What I Really Want for Christmas (Arista)

The older Brian Wilson gets, the more childlike he becomes. Sometimes endearing, on his first holiday album, Wilson’s naïveté and charm are downright corny. Originals “The Man With All the Toys” and the Coca-Cola-endorsed “Little Saint Nick” highlight a disc full of simply arranged traditionals smocked with Wilson’s familiar harmonies. Santa-believers might relish, but the rest should stick with Bing.

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This article appears in December 23 • 2005.

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