CHRISTMAS ON DEATH ROW Self-titled, various artists The New and "Untouchable" Death Row Records/Interscope THIS DISC GETS three stars for the comedy factor alone--is there any other Christmas compilation on the market with an explicit lyrics/parental warning label? Come on. Christmas on Death Row features a number of syrupy and over-produced rhythm-and-blues versions of standards like "Frosty the Snowman," "Silent Night" and "Silver Bells," strangely sprinkled with grim originals like "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto" and "Party 4 Da Homies." It's the originals that earn that special cover sticker; but all told the compilation has all the saccharine and corny charm anyone could hope to find on a disc mixed just in time for the season of consumer madness. --Lisa Weeks SPIRIT OF THE WEST Two-Headed Discovery "IN THE SHADOW of Moigliani the German punkers lie, each with a dog on a bit of string and filling half the sky," Spirit of the West sings, mounting the 564 steps of the Cologne Cathedral to watch Elvis light a votive in "Wishing Line." Emerging from Celtic roots, SOTW long ago mixed-up their bodhrans, flutes and accordion with wailing electric guitars and keyboards to forge a quirky and powerful sound. Their trademark emotional dualism surfaces in "Unplugged," a joyous banjo reel about assisted suicide, and in "Blood and Honey," with its lovers "spiking pain with pleasure." Produced with clear, vibrant nerve and equal parts wit and passion, Two-Headed finds one of Canada's premiere bands at its best. --Jessie Piper ZZ TOP Rhythmeen RCA Two and 1/2 Stars HALLELUJAH! THE UNDISPUTED saviors of refried Texas boogie-and-booze return tall in the saddle and fully erect for a 54-minute orgasmic rendezvous in musical lovemaking. Schwing! Compared to the slick and flaccid sound of their past two overproduced studio efforts, Rhythmeen is a welcome blast of butt slappin', testosterone-fueled shake-and-bake blues. A full-tilt throwback to the good old days of Tres Hombres and Fandango. Sure, it's the same tired formula--different year--but do you think these three ornery warthogs give a shit? Mr. Gibbons' tubesteak roots rock till the cows come home, and then some. After 25 years, ZZ Top still write juvenile songs about being sharp dressed men ("Hairdresser") out for some tush ("Bang Bang"). 'Nuff said. --Ron Bally

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