By Renee Graham


Whitney Houston
One Wish: The Holiday Album
Arista

There's absolutely nothing on this CD that an overachieving "American Idol" contestant couldn't have done - and that is exactly what's wrong with this album. Despite Houston's gospel chops and extraordinary voice, this is a very pedestrian CD, with Houston leaning too heavily on her least interesting vocal tricks. The trademark whoops and swoops are there - she's practically performing scales through parts of "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

And she even exercises rare restraint on what is often a demanding, unforgiving song, "O Holy Night." (The same can't be said for the bludgeoning production.) But the songs tend to be bland and forgettable, such as the new track "One Wish (For Christmas)" or overdone renditions of classics like "Little Drummer Boy."