Just as irony is being pronounced dead, along comes the boozy holiday compilation Christmas with the Rat Pack, suggesting that rumours of its demise may be premature. Given the culture's simmering lounge mania, this collection (with its cheesy homage/rip-off Oceans 11 art direction) may be belated--but hey, punctuality was never these swingin' cats' bag, Jack.
The novelty of having three of the 20th century's most notorious sinners belt, whoop and sing the praises of sleigh bells, roasting chestnuts and the virgin birth would be enough to recommend this dizzy 21-track delight, but there's actually some rewarding pop archaeology here as well.