Bob Dylan devotees will be let down by his newest album “Christmas in the Heart,” released Oct. 13. Fans enjoying his hoarse vocals and story-like lyrics will find that this holiday album restricts those beloved Dylan qualities.
“I’ll be Home for Christmas,” makes a strong case. If you expect to hear sleigh bells, or feel the oncoming chill of winter, you’re fresh out of luck. What’s heard is Dylan’s constricted creativity sounding as if it were smothered by a pillow and is crying to be let out. It never does.
The only redeeming quality of Dylan’s Christmas catastrophe, is the instrumentals. “Here Comes Santa Claus,” is an enjoyable and traditional holiday piece in no need of Dylan’s help. Or lack thereof.
Fortunately for Dylan, very devoted fans or holiday cover album junkies – will appreciate this uncomfortable but one-of-a-kind compilation.
