Here comes trouble...

Aaaalllllllvvvvvin!!!

The #1 children's act of all time is back! Alvin and the Chipmunks pick up right where they left off, with the soundtrack to the new FOX film.

The group consists of three singing chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group, Simon, the tall bespectacled intellectual, and Theodore, the chubby, impressionable sweetheart. The trio is "managed" by their human "father" and confidant, David Seville who is played by Jason Lee in the film.

The music on the album is prominently featured throughout the film as the Chipmunks navigate the perils of the music industry and fame. In addition to classic versions of their top tunes ("Witch Doctor" and the "Christmas Song"), these new songs update the chipmunks sound and are sure to appeal not only to kids but to mom, dad, grandma and grandpa - who all grew up with Alvin, Simon and Theodore!

The Chipmunks may have been CGI-ized but the helium-distorted, super-high-pitched singing style of Alvin, Simon and Theodore has been preserved. If you have kids or are a kid at heart (with a special fondness for novelty tunes), this is a goldmine. The 'munk classic "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don’t Be Late)" is covered twice: the "DeeTown OG Mix" is a fairly faithful version, while the "DeeTown Rock Mix" goes the emo-lite route; another nugget, "Witch Doctor," also gets dusted up, with the addition of a so-so rap. Nice bonus: The 1958 versions of these two songs are included as well, for old times' sake. Newer tracks are just as zany. The CD starts off with a take on David Powter's hit "Bad Day," which sounds completely insane done Chipmunk-style; "Funky Town" is downright hair-rising. The DeeTown Syndicate not only produced it all but also contributes several songs of its own that waffle between corny hip-hop ("How We Roll") and contempo Disney Channel style ("Coast 2 Coast"). It's all really nutty and really fun. --Elisabeth Vincentelli