In My Dreams

Like Rage Against the Machine two years before them, the Military Wives upset the X-Factor applecart by snatching the Christmas number one slot ahead of 2011 winners Little Mix, selling over half-a-million copies in the process. Buoyed by its massive success, the Devon-based choir, who shot to fame after appearing in the BBC's fourth series of Gareth Malone's The Choir, now attempt to prolong their unexpected 15 minutes of fame with a full-length album, In My Dreams. Like male vocal trio the Soldiers' ventures into the pop world, it appears churlish to criticize a record with such obvious good intentions. But while their chart-topping single "Wherever You Are," an emotive love poem composed from letters its members had written to their partners in Afghanistan, managed to tug at the heart-strings without descending into schmaltz; the same can't be said for the rest of the record. Best-known for his choral work at last year's Royal Wedding, Paul Mealor's second original composition, the title track, is an elegant, rousing hymn which is spoiled by the overwrought vocals of X-Factor finalist and acting serviceman Jonjo Kerr; Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" and wedding favorite "Up Where We Belong" are treated to sickly sweet orchestral arrangements; while their choral rendition of U2's "With or Without You" pales in comparison next to Scala & Kolacny Bros' similar reworking. A gentle acoustic version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" and a touching solo performance of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" suggest things could have been different. But while In My Dreams is one of those albums that will sell by the bucket-load for Mother's Day, it's unlikely to be played again once the novelty has worn off. ~ Jon O'Brien