** THE WILSONS

(Mercury)

It's not easy being a Brian Wilson fan these days. You're tantalized by continual reports that he's back in the studio, writing new songs that blow "Good Vibrations" away; but all you ever get to hear are fiascoes like the Beach Boys' recent country album. Or disappointments like this one, which is billed as a collaboration with his two daughters (whose band Wilson Phillips have quietly fizzled). Brian appears on four tracks, but he does only back-up vocals on the first three, including a horrendous version of the Beach Boys gem " 'Til I Die." His remaining contribution, "Everything I Need," is not only the first original Brian song to be released in a decade but his first collaboration in 30 years with Pet Sounds co-writer Tony Asher. Brian pulls out his old orchestral tricks, giving daughter Wendy a gorgeous melody to work with. It's a little too sweet to be a Pet Sounds-level classic; still, it comes close enough to prove he's still got some kind of knack.

The non-Brian tracks get off to a promising start with "Good About You," which casts the sisters as a latter-day Go-Go's. But then the Wilson Phillips-style stickiness takes over -- even when they try using drum machines and singing about teenage runaways. It's a more grown-up sound for the Wilson girls, but growing up isn't everything. Just ask Debbie Gibson.

-- Brett Milano