COLD SPAGHETTI WESTERN is a hybrid pop stew flavored with a little south-of-the-border, olive oil, and fruit salad. The Wiggles musical recipes are simple, bouncy, and sprinkled with friendly between-song conversation. What's missing is a more inspired artfulness that speaks up to even the youngest child's intelligence and musicality.

The songs tuck in good habits such as eating fresh fruit (mentioned in three songs) and brushing teeth every day. They dish up other cultures--Spanish, Italian, a taste of Greek. The Wiggles sing about straightening their hats and polishing their boots, listening to music, animals, food, and partying. In the first cut, "We're the Cowboys," they like to boot scoot all day and sing on the trail. They "love doing things the cowboy way." In "Farewell to the Wiggly Trail," they sing "We rode the trail together/Had some beans and had some fun/We had some fun but now it's time to go/We'll see you at the next Wiggles show." The reason for the CD seems not to be about piquing a child's curiosity about cowboys, music, or cuisine, as much as it is about extending The Wiggles brand.

Their tremendous popularity gives The Wiggles a powerful way to corral the attention of young children. The caliber of production on the CD is high and the group's sincerity in entertaining their audience shines through. If only the cowboys had spent a little more time polishing the songs.