New Kids: Delivering Christmas Package : NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK “Merry, Merry Christ mas.” Columbia ** 1/2: POP STARS ***** Great Balls of Fire **** Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door *** Good Vibrations ** Maybe Baby * Ain’t That a Shame

Most music fans over 18 probably wouldn’t be caught dead listening to anything by these idols of the early-teen set. But this collection of old and new Christmas tunes might win over some skeptics. It’s not great, but it’s much better than you’d expect.

It’s hard to ruin a Christmas album. Any singer with a shred of talent can handle foolproof holiday standards. But New Kids do it the hard way, with only three standards--”The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas” and “Little Drummer Boy.” The core of the album is the new material, co-written by producer-arranger Maurice Starr, which ranges from the rowdy “Funky Funky Xmas” to the catchy, cozy ballad “Merry Merry Christmas.”

This album deserves high marks for the vocals, particularly Jordan Knight’s soaring falsetto, and Starr’s sleek production. Conspicuously absent on most of the songs is the amateurish quality of the vocals on the Kids’ first two albums.

Their sound is still recycled soul--borrowed from groups like the Stylistics and Contours--that’s been spruced up with pop harmonies. But the sound has been considerably upgraded. Maybe these Kids are growing up.