Well, it’s that time again.

Time to brush off my all-time favorite holiday album, “Mambo Santa Mambo,” and see how this year’s crop of new seasonal newbies fare against the reigning champ.

So let’s start handing out the candy canes – or the lumps of coal.

“Bootsy Collins, “Chistmas is 4 Ever” (Shout Factory!): A funky collection that’s already in contention as a potential new all-time favorite. Especially cool: The opening disclaimer: “I’m sure there’s going to be more than one unpleasant surprise before we’re done.” Highly caffeinated versions of “Chestnutz (AKA the Christmas Song),” “Merry Christmas Baby” and others offer lots of surprises, none unpleasant. Five candy canes.

Twisted Sister, “A Twisted Christmas” (Razor & Tie): “We never play things nice and easy, we play things nice and twisted,” says Dee Snider in the opening “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Alas, the Twisted concept sounds like more fun than it is on that headbanger and others including “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silver Bells” and “Deck the Halls.” For hardcore fans only. Two lumps of coal.

Soundtrack, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” (Razor & Tie): This soundtrack to the theatrical adaptation of the classic film is grand, exuberant and relentlessly peppy. These singers belt it out to the back row in a wonderful old-school holiday collection. Four candy canes.

Soundtrack, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Walt Disney): Probably logical to file this under Halloween, but Santa’s involved in this story, so let’s show some latitude. The new reissue includes a bonus disc with the film’s signature songs performed by Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple, Fall Out Boy, She Wants Revenge and Panic! At the Disco. Cool, even if it will scare the carolers. Four candy canes.

John Fluker, “J is for Joy” (Retribution): Singer-keyboardist Fluker’s R&B style leans heavily toward the Smooth Jazz crowd on this collection of traditional songs (and one original). About half of the material is instrumental. J also is for Just Too Mellow. One lump of coal.

Rachael Ray, “How Cool Is That Christmas” (Epic): A Ray holiday album would have more kitsch value if the chirpy TV cook were doing the singing. As it is, it’s a solid assortment of songs from Elvis Presley (“Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)”), Billie Holiday (“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” Buster Poindexter (“Zat You, Santa Claus?”) and others. The lone novelty song, Lou Monte’s “Dominick the Donkey,” is happy family fun that will take five spins to drive you insane. Two candy canes.

Sarah McLachlan, “Wintersong” (Arista): If you don’t have a donkey song, earnest is always a reliable way to go for the holidays. That’s the road for McLachlan, who covers John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” to open her first seasonal collection. It won’t make you laugh, but it’s soothing and lovely. Three candy canes.

Ali Lohan, “Lohan Holiday” (YMC Records): On the other end of the spectrum from the London Festival Orchestra, it’s Christmas at the Lohans! On the road-to-insanity scale, “Lohan Holiday” gives “Dominick the Donkey” a run for his money. Four lumps of coal.