CD review: Susan Boyle disappoints on 'The Gift'

Susan Boyle, "The Gift" (Columbia)

Like a lot of holiday presents, Susan Boyle's "The Gift" doesn't live up to expectations.

On the second album from the "Britain's Got Talent" sensation, Boyle offers a selection of holiday classics, plus a few others, including Leonard Cohen's now ubiquitous "Hallelujah" and the puzzling choice of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over."

The choice of music isn't the problem here. Surprisingly, it's her voice. While she became a YouTube sensation for displaying heavenly but powerful vocals on "Britain's Got Talent," here, she sounds like a timid child. She coos shakily and rarely uses the full potential of her voice. The arrangements don't help her because they sound like dreary background music: You'll need a pick-me-up after listening to this album all the way through.

In case you make it that far, put on "O Holy Night," the EP by her label mate, Jackie Evancho of "America's Got Talent," to combat the holiday jeer. Though she actually is a child, Jackie has a magical, soaring voice that shows her fellow reality-show contestant how a Christmas album should be done.