Review Summary: Oh come all ye Wiggles.
The original Wiggles’ Christmas specials were something special. Fantastically festive, and dancing with glee, they decorated their Wiggly tree for Christmas around the corner. Whether decorations, costumes, telling a story to children, or music, The Wiggles explored the spirit of Yuletide with the excitement and whimsy that the season calls for. The original era of The Wiggles included some of their best music, and most of it was their Christmas music. Like a combination of The Beatles and The Beach Boys, the retro sound here may transport you to a much merrier time, the good old days.
Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas is a difficult album to critique because the nostalgia level is impossible to overcome. It wouldn’t take much for this album to become part of a core memory, it’s almost guaranteed. The music is that catchy, that friendly and melodic with soothing singing it sinks in like a leather couch. I want to listen to it, I want to hear the nuance whether it be: horns, a pop beat, Christmassy instruments, the lovely twang of an acoustic that’s played impressively well (see Feliz Navidad). While the songwriting is simple and repetitive - it’s Christmas songs for children - the way they infuse magic in each track makes the experience worth revisiting.
I may not have ever watched The Wiggles as a kid, but I feel nostalgic from this album regardless. The OG Wiggles were loved for a reason; the singing, dancing, and tunes still can’t be beat. Modern music may understand tricks of production better, but these simple tunes warm the heart. Every Christmas album release from the original Wiggles was great, but perhaps the most important is their older material. It was when The Wiggles were at their peak in my opinion, and modern Christmas music from The Wiggles pales in comparison. The spirit of Christmas is handily captured in the original Wiggles era, and this album is no exception.
