'Grinch' soundtrack a grab bag

The soundtrack to Theodor Geisel's classic holiday yarn turned hit motion picture unfolds much like the reviews to the live action incarnation have, rather mixed.\nThe album ranges from brilliant (Ben Folds' "Lonely Christmas Eve") to repugnant ('N Sync's vapid "You Don't Have to be Alone" or Faith Hill's irritating "Where Are You Christmas"). \nDuring the remainder of the whopping 22-track album various types of music are represented. Barenaked Ladies and Smash Mouth register nicely with pop-fueled, alt-rock Christmas jingles respectively titled "Green Christmas" and "Better Do it Right." \nE of The Eels scores the most decidedly dead-pan Christmas tune of all time with the very early Beck-sounding "Christmas is Going to the Dogs." Busta Rhymes and Mr. Grinch himself, Jim Carrey, collaborate in a festive hip hop joint entitled "Grinch 2000." \nAside from the pop entries, the soundtrack also contains the film's score, composed and conducted by James Horner. The orchestrations are rather pretty and draw parallels between numerous other Yuletide staples. \nBut it might have been wise for Horner to incorporate some elements of the music contained within the classic Chuck Jones animated film. Perhaps Horner and the film's director Ron Howard were trying to differentiate themselves from the cartoon.\nLike numerous other soundtracks, this disc contains snippets of dialogue. All play very well here, especially an excerpt entitled "Grinch Schedule," in which Carrey hilariously allots time for wallowing in self-pity and staring into the abyss.\nAlthough it's a rather mixed bag, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas soundtrack ultimately satisfies. Fans of Folds, Rhymes, or The Eels should certainly check the disc out. Fans of 'N Sync or Hill should also check the album out and follow that up with a psychiatric evaluation. \nJust kidding.