Sugarplums and sourballs

Jessica Simpson’s done it. So has Clay Aiken. Even -- gulp! -- the King of Kitsch, John Waters.

All three have bought into the pop-music version of the lottery with new Christmas albums, in hope of lucking into the kind of evergreen album that will yield years of joy for listeners of all ages -- as well as annual royalty bonanzas for their creators.

For most performers, it’s enough to add his or her voice to familiar favorites. But among the dozens of new collections that arrive each year, some capitalize on the opportunity -- through fresh arrangements, lesser-known works or new compositions -- to say something new about the season.

Calendar’s annual holiday music survey assesses both on a scale of four stars (excellent), three stars (good), two stars (fair) and one star (poor), helping readers and last-minute shoppers decide which might belong in that special someone’s stocking and which are better relegated to the fireplace.

*** 1/2 Ray Charles, “Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas” (Madacy). The soul great’s death in June, a hit biographical film and a new slew of Grammy nominations has helped turn 2004 into the Year of Ray in some ways, so the reissue of this 1985 performance is timely. It’s also a model of inspired music-making that mixes warhorses given new life by a great singer and less-familiar material given juiced-up energy by the joyous accompaniment of the Voices of Jubilation gospel choir. Bonus videos capture his performances of “The Christmas Song” and “Oh Happy Day.”

*** 1/2 Various artists, “Maybe This Christmas Tree” (Nettwerk). The third in the “Maybe This Christmas ... “ line reaffirms it as one of the most consistently rewarding series of benefit albums that typically show up each holiday season. Some proceeds go to Toys for Tots, and the benefit for the listener is inventive arrangements, compositions and performances by the Polyphonic Spree, the Raveonettes, Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion and seven other alt-rock acts.

*** Chris Isaak, “Christmas” (Reprise). The master of moody romanticism contributes five originals, among 16 tracks here, to the ever-growing canon of holiday songs. A couple are fresh enough to have a shot at becoming staples in that repertoire: “Christmas on TV,” a swinging honky-tonk lament, and “Brightest Star,” a profession of faith that adroitly avoids syrupy sentimentality.

*** Dwight Twilley, “Have a Twilley Christmas” (DMI). Tulsa pop-rocker’s EP consists of a half-dozen bouncy, quirky, chugging and thoroughly hummable originals that will slide down your digital chimney via download from Apple’s iTunes and other online music stores.

*** Various artists, “Music From The O.C.: Mix 3 -- Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah” (Warner Sunset). Young, hip, beautiful and pretty much unreal. That’s the Orange County as displayed on Fox’s hit prime-time soap, “The O.C.” Fortunately, the performances ring a lot truer on this companion compilation featuring Jimmy Eat World, Ben Kweller, Eels, Leona Naess, Ron Sexsmith and other acts, none of which happens to hail from the real O.C.

*** James Taylor, “A Christmas Album” (Hallmark). Who better than Sweet Baby James to soothe the frazzled nerves of frantic shoppers hunting for cards, wrapping and ribbon in the Hallmark stores that are stocking this album, an effort that’s as effortless as the title? The gospel number “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is treated like a bookend to “Fire and Rain,” and a couple of more recent holiday numbers help freshen the mix.

*** Various artists, “A John Waters Christmas” (New Line). The man who gave us “Pink Flamingos” and “Cry-Baby” puts his twisted talents to use culling recordings such as “Here Comes Fatty Claus” and “Santa! Don’t Pass Me By,” which most of us have never heard, forgotten we’d heard, or wish we’d forgotten. This collection of oddities from Tiny Tim, the Chipmunks, Fat Daddy, Rudolph & Gang and many no-hit wonders is this year’s ideal cynical, wickedly funny antidote to holiday sweets.

*** Various artists, “Christmas With the Kranks” soundtrack (Hollywood). One of the edgier entries this year, with a roots-rock and punk slant thanks to slashing holiday tunes from the Ramones, Davie Allan, the Raveonettes, the Charms and the Brian Setzer Orchestra, all leading into Elvis’ holiday-angst classic, “Blue Christmas.”

** 1/2 Trans-Siberian Orchestra, “The Lost Christmas Eve” (Lava). This hard-rock conglomeration led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Paul O’Neill has turned its vision of Christmas as the ultimate rock opera into a cottage industry of bestselling albums and top-grossing holiday tours (the orchestra plays the Universal Amphitheatre on Thursday). The third installment, available individually or as part of a four-disc box set with the three studio albums plus a bonus DVD, revolves around an angel sent to Earth to find a human who best represents the spirit and message of Jesus. Although the pounding keyboards, wheedling electric guitars, surging synths and belted lyrics can be overwrought, especially after two previous outings, somehow you’ve got to admire the sheer audacity of it all.

** 1/2 The Reality TV Singers, “Christmas in the Fishbowl.” Another of the growing number of online-only releases, this is the choice for the “Survivor” on your list. Trying to extend their 15 minutes of fame are participants from “Survivor: All-Stars,” “Paradise Hotel,” “American Idol” and other unscripted TV series. Some of it is delightfully self-deprecating, such as “Survivor” Rob Cesternino’s reworking of “The 12 Days of Christmas” as “The 12 Minutes of Fame.” Too many of the others try to take themselves seriously. Available as a download from www.thefishbowl.com.

** 1/2 Joe Nichols, “A Traditional Christmas” (Universal South). This country singer applies a twang that’s equal parts Merle Haggard, Randy Travis and George Strait to 10 of the most tried-and-true holiday songs. Country fans should enjoy the ride, but the musical scenery’s pretty unremarkable.

** Clay Aiken, “Merry Christmas With Love” (RCA). “American Idol” singers and Christmas music go together like hot cocoa and marshmallows, and Aiken delivers the fluffiest, sweetest, whitest musical marshmallow imaginable. It’s all soothing vocalizing, minimal thought required or inspired.

** Jessica Simpson, “Rejoyce the Christmas Album” (Columbia). It’s the time of year to be charitable, so let’s be thankful this pop sweetheart minimizes the nasal quality that can give her vocals a fingernails-on-the-chalkboard quality. She valiantly attempts to inject some R&B; punch into some numbers, breathy sultriness into others. It also yields one sobering prospect: Next Christmas, Ashlee.