This latest comedy from the Farrelly brothers ('Dumb And Dumber' - their previous movie, not their nicknames!), starring Cameron Diaz as the object of Ben Stiller's undying lust, has spawned a new range of hair-gels and this whiny, winning soundtrack. Although its 14 nerd-rock anthems could grace any of a multitude of "unlikely geek wins the princess' heart" teen movies that Hollywood tosses out yearly, they somehow combine better here in this cool and coherent collection.

Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him" is a bit obvious but has aged well, and including the wimpy, although relevant, 'Mary's Prayer' by Danny Wilson in this company, is pushing it. But they roped in rock's coolest nerd, Jonathan Richman, to write the title-track and two other typically whimsical songs ('True Love Is Not Nice' and 'Let Her Go Into The Darkness'), and added the Dandy Warhols' 'Everyday Day Should Be A Holiday' and the Propellerheads' 'History Repeating' featuring Shirley Bassey, so all is forgiven. There's also good support from Lloyd Cole, Ben Lee, Ivy, Zuba, and The Lemonheads ('If I Could Talk I'd Tell You').

Any album that features both Evan Dando and Jonathan Richman and ends with the Foundation's '60's pop classic 'Build Me Up Buttercup' should not be sneered at. It could just be the ideal background music for your first big date with that seemingly unattainable object of your affections; and even if you're already married, don't worry, this will still evoke some bittersweet memories. There's really something special about this soundtrack. Have a Mary Christmas!

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

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