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Balancing real life with good old-fashioned Saint Nick magic is a challenge for Tim Allen's jolly elf in the spirited
Santa Clause 2--a dichotomy that the mix of vintage and contemporary holiday confections on its soundtrack also tackles.
Brian Setzer struts through a rockabilly take on "Jingle Bells," while
Hilary Duff (a.k.a. Lizzie McGuire) bounces down "Santa Claus Lane" with sugar-dusted pop effervescence and
Shedaisy playfully modernize Kris Kringle on the boogie-woogie honky-tonk "Santa's Got a Brand New Bag." On the legend tip, the
Shirelles' soul slow dance "Blue Holiday,"
Chuck Berry's bluesy rock classic "Run Rudolph Run," and
Louis Armstrong's flavorful scat-jazz "Zat You Santa Claus" conjure picturesque, snow-covered holiday scenes of yore.
Unwritten Law and
Sum 41's particularly joyless rock/faux-rap collaboration aside,
Santa Clause 2 is as frothy and lighthearted as a tall glass of eggnog--in other words, just as fun as a holiday-themed record should be.
--Annie Zaleski