Listen to me: Chan, the critic, gives his slant on this week's new releases

Chan Tran

Christina Aguilera: "My Kind of Christmas" (RCA)

Christmas albums have become as commonplace these days as teenybopper singers. So "My Kind of Christmas" should not surprise music listeners as, sadly, holiday songs are no longer protected from such atrocities.

Aguilera, who released Spanish re-workings of her songs on the "Mi Reflejo" album last month, apparently wants to fill up the local Wal-Mart with yet another worthless release.

The idea of people buying new Christmas albums is blasphemous considering the Carpenters, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and the Peanuts gang have carved the most significant contributions to holiday-themed albums. Aguilera is most likely attempting to bring a hip appeal and R&B swing to the holiday classics, but there is a fine line between modest re-workings of songs and the diva stance she takes for this release. That fact makes me fume.

"My Kind of Christmas," features a by-the-books list of songs such as "Oh Holy Night," "Merry Christmas Baby," "Silent Night" and "The Christmas Song" performed in the usual vocal bravado that is so common with teenage artists.

That is not to say she has not received help for the album. Billy Preston, who really needs to get his own career into gear rather than do guest appearances on albums by half-talented artists who have nothing to do but call up their agents for the next paycheck, makes a guest spot on "Oh Holy Night."

Etta James was rumored to be on the album, but canceled due to scheduling conflicts leaving the album without at least one redeeming factor. An unreleased version of "The Christmas Song" is included as a bonus. Talk about unimportant discoveries.

In a strategic move to cash in on the Latino craze, "Silent Night" is performed in Spanish. One wonders if she will release "Mi Reflejo Part 2: Mi Tipo De Navidad."

PJ Harvey: "Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea" (Island)

Polly Jean Harvey is scary. Not in her appearance or her music, but rather the mythical drama she brings to lyrics dealing with love, sex and religion.

Over the course of five albums, she emerged as one of the most uncompromising female alternative rock artists of the ë90s. Since her first album "Dry," Harvey has continued down a powerful and bruise-filled road to unfound salvation. "Rid of Me," her sophomore release, was brute, extreme and most of all demanding.

In fact, "Rid" was so painful on the ears that it marked the decline in her popularity. Critics favored her subtle approach to blood-filled lyrics especially on "To Bring You My Love," which is perhaps her most popular release.

"Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea," as the title states, was written last year in New York and the United Kingdom, and features a heavier rock sound than her last album "Is This Desire?"

Thom Yorke from Radiohead, in what is perhaps his millionth guest appearance this year, duets on "This Mess We're In" and does background vocals for two additional tracks.

As long as she continues to sell the drama, I will be a buyer.

Hootie & the Blowfish: "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered" (Atlantic)

The band forgot to add the word "overplayed" to the title of this album.

Hootie & the Blowfish, has pulled together a collection of covers that appeared on the many b-sides, soundtracks and compilation appearances the band have done over the years to further torture music listeners.

Fans picked the final five tracks of "Scattered" during an online voting period, a frustrating example of a musically poor band that knows how to please its listeners. Unfortunately, such a move is bad for unsuspecting music lovers who have to endure Hootie's cover of Led Zeppelin's "Hey, Hey What Can I Do" and the Smith's "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want." Hopefully for the last time in music history, Hootie's name will be mentioned in the company of such legendary bands.

The remaining 10 tracks, which were chosen by the band features Tom Waits' brilliant "I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You," and Roy Orbison's haunting "Dream Baby."

At least we don't have to endure original Hootie materials for the time being.

Sammy Hagar: "Ten 13" (Cabo Wabo/Beyond)

Hagar has the distinction of being the best vocalist for Van Halen in its long-winded history. But the fact doesn't mean much in light of his ridiculous solo career.

After ruining Gary Glitters' arena-romp song "Rock And Roll, Part 2" by incorporating it in "Mas Tequila" on his last album, "Red Voodoo," Hagar returns for further hard rock embarrassment.