Album Review: Kim Wilde - Wilde Winter Songbook

As the hits kept coming like a volley of snowballs on Kim Wilde's Aussie tour last month, it was clear she's having just as much fun as she did when Kids In America was conquering the globe 32 years ago. So here's a Christmas album. No wait – come back!

Winter Wonderland is hilarious. Not because of any groaning jokes; it's played with knowing cheese courtesy of her duetting partner (Rick “Never Gonna Give You Up” Astley). The tired tinsel of over-used standards only extends to about a third of the album with six original songs by Kim making the Christmas presence more personal. Hope and One are swaddled in festive cosiness, while a revisiting of 1987 cover, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (this time featuring Nik Kershaw) drops the jokes for a joyful and triumphant singalong. And every bloke who ever fancied Wilde in the '80s should hear her chirrup “I think Santa put me on the naughty list” in Hey Mr. Snowman.

The one shock present to unwrap is a cover of Fleet Foxes' White Winter Hymnal (featuring Wilde's dad and brother) downplaying the valley deep-phonics while still retaining the powdery softness of the original. And bugger me, she actually gets away with it. Christmas albums are rightfully dreaded, like the arrival of Drunk Aunty Beryl at lunchtime. But Wilde Winter Songbook shocks and delights by being slightly tipsy and in great spirits.