A recent release reviewed

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Christmas with the Kranks Hollywood Records
***

Relax, it's not Christmas with the Crankies, so put the gun away. The seasonal flick starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis concerns a family who decide to skip Christmas, with - we are assured - hilarious results. The soundtrack, compiled by Little Steven Van Zandt, is a clutch of Christmas songs from straight outta leftfield, opening promisingly with The Ramones' Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight). Gabba-gabba-sleigh. There are fine, festive readings of old songs, including The Christmas Song by The Raveonettes, Frosty the Snowman by The Charms and a version of White Christmas by Tina Sugandh that wouldn't sound out of place on the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence. The Chesterfield Kings' rock-steady Hey Santa Claus doesn't feel very Christmassy, but The Butties' Joy to the World neatly drops The Beatles into the Christmas pudding mix. http://hollywoodrecords.go.com

Kevin Courtney