Making a list? Checking it twice? Here are some guidelines to keep befuddled spouses, parents of teenagers and others on the right track.

** 1/2 LEANN RIMES, “Blue,” Curb. The country teenage prodigy displays Patsy Cline-like purity and unbridled power and freshness. But many of the songs require a level of experience that’s clearly beyond her years.

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Albums and other items in the Gift Guide are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).