Edge of Christmas

A middle-of-the-road rock and pop assortment, The Edge of Christmas repackages chestnuts such as Bing and Bowie crooning "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" and Dave Edmunds's version of Chuck Berry's classic "Run Run Rudolph." In between there are marginal readings of "Please Come Home for Christmas" from Pat Benatar, "Winter Wonderland" by the Cocteau Twins, and Queen's "Thank God It's Christmas." The real treasures are the Pretenders' "2,000 Miles," a wistful, tender lament about being away from loved ones during the holidays, and the Waitresses' zesty minor classic "Christmas Wrapping." The scruffiest gem is the Pogues' "Fairytale in New York," with animated vocals traded by Shane MacGowan and Irish folk-rocker Kirsty MacColl. Listening to it is like watching a vitriolic pageant with crooked bells on. --Martin Keller