The gypsy characteristics of the Dannas for The Addams Family extend to all of its themes at some point, including the original Vic Mizzy television theme for the concept, which the composers apply here much more than Shaiman ever did. It gets whirlwind treatment in "Welcome to the Addams Family" with a lovely fiddle solo before the organ lets rip with it in "Make Yourself at Home" (the best performance) and "Give My Creatures Life!" A folksy version awaits the melody in "An Addams Family Reunion." Some of these only use the theme's catchy opening bass riffs and snapping fingers, but the Dannas really excel when they apply the whole theme. They supplement this idea with three themes of their own and one supporting motif. The first major theme is arguably the main one for the picture, introduced ominously right off the bat in "It's Creepy, It's Kooky" and taking on a fluffy personality in "What a Lovely Morning" and "Scented Embalming Fluid." A heroic rendition of this idea in "Wednesday Crashes the Party" is followed by a lovely piano solo for the melody in "My Little Raven" and an upbeat followup in "Give Us a Chance to Make It Right." The theme's redemption late in "Pugsley Coronation" leads to a robust conclusion in "Get Out!" that comes closest to the famous Shaiman tango material. More impressive is the monster theme from the Dannas, heard first on brass at 0:57 into "An Army of Freaks" and reprised in similarly muscular fashion at 0:40 into "A Town Overrun" and 0:05 into "Addamses Not Wanted Here." It also stews late in "Margaux Inflames the Townsfolk," kicks it up a gear in "Give My Creatures Life!," and provides suspense or frantic action in "Mommy's Crafting Room," late in "Margaux Attacks," and in "If They're Freaks, Then So Are All of You." A melancholy theme for the Addams' daughter, Wednesday, is highlighted in "Wednesday's Wish" and "Wednesday and Parker." The town itself receives a rather obnoxious folk motif in "The Addams Visit Assimilation" and "Assimilation Junior High." Put together, these themes create a more cohesive whole than expected, but the work still suffers from an extraordinary whiplash effect in its shifting parody modes. You could assemble ten minutes or so of really good music here, including most of the organ and brass passages along with the gorgeous vocals of "Tea and Seance" and tender heart of "My Little Raven." Expect to hear a lot of early Danny Elfman in this work. The gypsy and folk instrumentation is mildly obnoxious, and although the album does include the Mizzy song adaptation heard over the end credits, it is missing other notable songs heard on screen. It's a solid souvenir from this film, but seek out Shaiman's music from the live-action entries for a better concept listening experience.  ***   @Amazon.com: CD or Download