Santa Clause 2

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