The albums on the CD Odyssey are selected randomly. If it’s in the collection, and it hasn’t already been reviewed, it’s eligible. This can generate some unintended consequences. In this case…Christmas in August.
So strap in. Things are about to get weird…
Disc 1851 is…The Muppet Christmas Carol
Artist: Er…a bunch of Muppets?
Year of Release: 1992
What’s up with the Cover? A bunch of Muppets! Also, a glowering “Michael Caine” lurks in the background. Based on his sourpuss expression, this is “Christmas Eve” Scrooge, not “Christmas Morning” Scrooge.
How I Came To Know It: I loved the Muppet Christmas Carol movie but I would never have bought the soundtrack. As it happens, I didn’t. Sheila picked it up for a single dollar in a thrift store. To which I say, “why not?”
How It Stacks Up: I have upwards of 37 soundtracks. I may have the count wrong, as I lose track of the ones that are both soundtracks and also albums by individual artists (e.g. Eddie Vedder’s “Into the Wild,” Queen’s “Flash Gordon”).
Let’s go with 37, of which I put the Muppets Christmas Carol in at…#30.
Ratings: 2 stars
Well…here we are, doing this. If you skip this one, I won’t blame you. But if you stay, I promise to avoid excess analysis of the music. The Muppets didn’t intend for it to entertain you that way, and neither do I.
Let’s start with the movie. Is this the best version of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”? Better than that 1935 one, which is excellent but wrecked by your parents forcing you to watch it? Better than 1988’s “Scrooged” where Carol Kane (as the Ghost of Christmas Present) hits Bill Murray’s Scrooge with a toaster?
Tough competition to be sure, but I’m going to side with the Muppets over both. Not as artsy as the thirties one, and not as edgy as the eighties (and sadly lacking any dancing showgirls), but it’s got heart to spare.
As for it being a musical, this does not usually land with me. I am not a fan of the genre, and all the musical scores/original cast recordings are – similarly – possessions of my better half. Sure there are exceptions. I love two songs from Les Mis (Disc 111): “Red and Black” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” If those songs don’t get you going you should check your pulse. From “Chess” (Disc 156) I love “One Night in Bangkok” (yes, that’s where it’s from) and “Nobody’s Side” (listen to it and then lie to me and tell me you didn’t like it).
However, mostly when I watch musicals I’m either dreading some character bursting into song or hoping the number will end so we can get back to the story. They’re not for me.
But damn it, these Muppets. They go and make me feel the feels with their infuriating and catchy tunes about the power of love. I tried to shake it off and make fun of the situation, but despite myself this soundtrack made my heart grow three sizes. Yeah, yeah – different story. Sort of.
The song “Scrooge” has clever turns of phrase a-plenty, and I enjoyed Kermit and Tiny Tim scatting on “Christmas Scat” more than decorum should allow, but mostly, this record just made me feel good.
There is one “bummer” song, which is “When Love Is Gone” about the lost love of Scrooge’s youth. It feels like Oscar bait, and while schmaltzy enough to secure an Oscar, wasn’t even nominated. Like it would have had a snowball’s chance against either song from “Beauty and the Beast” that year. Fun related fact: “When Love Is Gone” is by a character also named Belle and was removed from later releases of the film for being too much of a bummer.
Also solid, “Marley and Marley” delivered by perennial Muppet curmudgeons Statler and Waldorf, which includes a very catchy ghostly refrain of “whooaaah” at the end of each line.
But I digress dangerously close to that ordinary musical review thing I promised you I would avoid. My apologies.
This record is best enjoyed over the holidays building a puzzle (if your cabin doesn’t have cable) or while watching the movie (if it does). If possible, select the “Belle’s bummer song” version – it is better.
Do I recommend this album in the middle of summer during your morning commute? No. Well…sort of?
Do I think it belongs on a serious music review website? Probably not, but I would remind you I review all the albums, not just the ones that make you feel cool enough to pop your collar and roll a pack of smokes into your t-shirt sleeve.
Most of all, this soundtrack will bring peace, goodwill and joy to all. If you’ve seen the movie, it does the same thing, only double. And lest you think this is me being nostalgic for my childhood, I was well into my adulthood when this came out. You’re never too old, and it’s never the wrong time to be infused with a bit of Christmas spirit.
Now run outside and invite someone to know you better, man! Wish a stranger a Merry Christmas in August! Maybe buy them a goose. Unless that feels weird, which I expect it will.
Look at that – you’ve made it to the end. Next time we return to regularly scheduled music reviews. It’s safe, I swear. I don’t even own “The Muppets Take Manhattan”. Yet.
Best tracks: Scrooge, Marley and Marley, When Love Is Gone, It Feels Like Christmas
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