Various Artists - Rewiggled (Album)
So the indie kids have spoken. They were anticipating the release of “Rewiggled” as much as the reunion and tour of pubs that Peter Combe and the Newspaper Mama band did. Or should that be the iPad-yielding yummy mummies preferring a vodka and orange than washing your face with orange juice? Indeed, “Rewiggled” is all about transforming The Wiggles once simple pop ditties into something a little more – ahem, mature.
You see The Wiggles are almost officially adults celebrating their 20th birthday this year as well as receiving the status of ARIA Hall Of Fame inductees. You could say they’re an institution of sorts, but if you’re expecting backslapping and reverence on this compilation of covers then think again. This set doesn’t take itself too seriously and nor do the artists contributing to it, as they seem to be having fun playing up the elements of camp silliness just as the originals do for the kiddies.
The contributing acts make the songs their own, with many actually sounding like their own compositions, with little to give away who they were written for save the lyrics and the short length of the tracks. Case in point: Jebediah’s “Getting Strong!” which could’ve appeared on their youthful debut, “Slightly Odway” back in ’97. Similarly, “Cowboys and Cowgirls” could’ve been on The Audrey’s “Sometimes the Stars” last year thanks to its ramble-in-the-country vibe. You could also add The Living End and Frenzal Rhomb to this list with “Hot Potato” and “Captain’s Magic Buttons,” respectively, as they each produce music in their trademark punk styles, the former with a more rockabilly flavour while the latter is a more bratty take.
Washington offers “The Monkey Dance,” a surfin’ 60s tune where you can almost imagine the kids shake, rattle and rolling around the ol’ jukebox. Busby Marou’s contribution, “Dressing Up” also conjures up sounds form another period with its rolling Led Zeppelin guitars and harmonica for a tale – you guessed it – about dress ups. And that’s before Oh Mercy convert the “Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car” into a pleasant luxury sedan from the 70s with its epic drums and easy gliding nature akin to an Eagles classic.
On “Rewiggled” 20 Aussie artists of varying ages and genres all share one thing in common. They prove that when given The Wiggles material they can belt out feel good tunes in their own unique style of choice and provide entertainment to the max. The 20 tracks fly by in short bursts of energy, brimming with a cheeky spirit and plenty of enjoyable moments. While the project may have initially seemed strange or dare say it, ambitious, the artists make it all seem so fun and effortless- almost like child’s play. Oh wait...
