If the acronym GTA IV means anything to you, then today is a very special day. A few folks have probably called in sick already because they waited outside their local Gamestop until midnight to pick up the latest in the much-maligned video game franchise. Then, of course, said parties went home and engaged in virtual bedlam all night. There’s a reason parents fear this game. Still, it gets an A+ rating in today’s Times.

The new version of “Grand Theft” isn’t just a boost for the gaming world, however. With this edition, the game’s creators are partnering with Amazon.com to help zap some life into music sales.

As with previous GTA titles, music plays a central role in the chaos, as the CGI character swerves in various automobiles and car jacks different vehicles. Just like real life, what’s playing on the radio is significant. For the gamer, in fact, it’s a selling point.

Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to do killer business — somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 million its first week.

That’s a phenomenal sum that a handful of record labels and artists are hoping will spill over into music sales. With every new GTA release you get the double whammy of lewd fun and good music. As Will Smith once famously rapped, “Parents just don’t understand.”

Those gamers with enough foresight and disposable cash don’t settle for the $59.99 version of the game. No, they pony up for the special edition  at $89.99 that includes the coveted soundtrack. Rockstar Games, the pioneers behind the franchise, have stocked this latest version with some rockin’ tunes.

The bonus CD features only some of the songs that you’ll hear during the entire game. For rap enthusiasts, there are tracks by Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, newcomer Qadir and a fairly vapid track by Nas called “War is Necessary.” Despite the title, it’s far from a political song and more a rehash of the Illmatic era. What sounds more inspired from the rap genre is a cut by Belarus rapper Seryoga, “Liberty City: The Invasion.”

The soundtrack swings in different directions and moods, including the uptempo ’80s electro disco gem “On a journey” by Electrik Funk, the nouveau dance punk of the Rapture and the Afro-pop scion Femi Kuti. Classic rocker Joe Walsh is also featured and the CD concludes with the ambient beauty of Global Communication.

Those who don’t have the CD or a Play Station 3 or an XBOX to take advantage of the digital music service included with the game can check out Amazon.com’s list of GTAIV songs, where you can sample snippets of the soundtrack.

And if you do have the game and are going to spend rest of the week playing it…..Happy car jacking!

–Camilo Smith