Released to coincide with their globe-trotting DVD adventure of the same name,
It's Always Christmas with You is the ninth yuletide album from the hugely popular children's entertainers
the Wiggles. Impressively, the Australian four-piece are still coming up with new ways of blending their classic rock & roll-inspired sound with stories that perfectly encapsulate the festive spirit for their army of young fans, with only "Miracle in a Manger," the duet between Dorothy the Dinosaur and '70s crooner
John Paul Young previously available (2009's Dorothy Meets Santa Claus). "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High," both of which feature Irish choir
Anuna, are newly recorded versions of those which appeared on 2000's Yule Be Wiggling and 1996's
Wiggly Wiggly Christmas, respectively, sit alongside the likes of the medieval singalong of "We Three Kings," the toe-tapping rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock," and the barbershop quartet treatment of "O Holy Night" (the latter of which features
NSync's
Joey Fatone on a rare lead vocal). There are six brand new compositions destined to become future family favorites. The title track is an infectious slice of bubblegum pop featuring a few ad-libs from Santa himself, who also appears on the retro jazz-pop of "It's a Long Way from the North Pole." "The Turkey Jumps Right Out of the Pie" is a playful, pirate-esque sea shanty, while it would take a miserly Scrooge not to be enchanted by Jeff's solo, "I Just Can't Sleep on Christmas Eve." Remaining one of the few children's music acts that doesn't make parents want to pull their hair out,
It's Always Christmas with You is yet another charming addition to
the Wiggles' prolific seasonal back catalog. ~ Jon O'Brien