(71021-51018-2-8). Reception On the subject of fans' reactions, Carlin wrote: "Imagination bore many distressing signs. The real Brian Wilson would never homogenize his music to sound exactly like every other song on the radio, they complained." In an article for Rolling Stone, Jason Fine said the album showed "little evidence of Brian's creative spark. Though he contributes some of his finest vocals — especially on two ballads, 'Cry' and 'Lay Down Burden' — the album's saccharine soft rock doesn't hint at the subtle magic of a classic Brian Wilson production." Barney Hoskyns reviewed the album for Spin and wrote: "the man's penchant for writing these days in cheery major keys, coupled with the record's horribly sterile sound, turns songs such as 'Sunshine' and 'Your Imagination' into nothing more than goofy retreads of early Beach Boys hits." John Mulvey of NME opined of the record: "if there is one character flaw that has blighted [Wilson']s music over the past 25-odd years, it has been his capacity to be easily led, his need to work with others resulting in a touching but misplaced faith in a host of lesser musical talents who frequently aren't fit to wipe his arse, let alone collaborate with him." Music critic Robert Christgau declared: "Submitting to adult-contempo tycoon Joe Thomas ... [Wilson is] just what you'd fear: a middle-aged pop pro who's proud he's no longer nuts and knows even less about the world than when he was." In 2000, Wilson said of Imagination, "I don't like the sound. I don't like my voice on it." When Andy Paley was asked to compare his collaborations with Brian to Thomas', Paley responded: "I think that the music is very, very different. Let’s put it this way... what he and I did is not an album. First of all, it’s way more stuff than you can put on an album, it’s probably more like four albums. It was something we enjoyed doing." Track listing Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic. Brian Wilson – drums, keyboards, organ, piano, lead vocals, background vocals Additional Musicians References Brian Wilson albums 1998 albums Giant Records (Warner) albums Albums produced by Brian Wilson Albums produced by Joe Thomas (producer)