August 17, 2005

Road Tunes

Not everyone has the technology to toss The Incredibles on the minivan’s built-in DVD player and fly over miles of highway in blissful silence. For those unfortunate souls, here’s a roundup of recent and classic kids’ CD favorites for your summer travels.

Here Come the ABCs They Might Be Giants: Now that the Johns (Flansburgh and Linnell) have kids of their own, this 80s alt band has been creating music for their smaller fans. They tackle the alphabet in this recent release with ditties like E Eats Everything and The Vowel Family – capturing a nice balance of childish wackiness, adult musicianship and boppy pop. Available online at theymightbegiants.com.

My Daddy Is Scratchy Jamie Broza: Emmy-award-winning singer, songwriter, composer and performer, Jamie Broza, intersperses catchy, well-crafted songs with short, amusing whippersnapper interviews on such topics as dads who sing in public (badly), snacks, wheedling a few more minutes before bed, and of course, the prickly subject of kissing dads who haven't shaved. Available online at barnesandnoble.com.

House Party Dan Zanes: You won't go wrong with any of Dan Zanes' CDs. Former lead singer of the Del Fuegos and originator of the mom-and-dad-dig-this-music-too movement, House Party is the sound of a sprawling musical house party with friends like Bob Wier, Sheryl Crow, Lou Reed and Aimee Mann dropping by to sing. Available online at cdbaby.com.

I Found It! Brady Rymer: This most recent CD by award-winning, independent kid's recording artist and From Good Homes founding member, is a hip descendant of the sing-along spirit of Motown, the party atmosphere of classic rock, and the warmth and heart of Reggae. In other words, it's got something for almost everyone. Available online at rymersongs.com.

Got No Strings Michele Shocked: Eighties activist and female punk/folk rock singer recently released a new CD that features a unique take on, of all things, Disney tunes. Think acoustic country meets smoky blues bar and you'll have a sense for the mood of the album, which was created in collaboration with Disney artist David Willardson. Hear some sassy takes on tunes like To Be a Cat, Spoonful of Sugar and Wish Upon a Star. Available online at michelleshocked.com.

Kidz Bop 8: For your precocious preschooler, the Kidz Bop CD series tunes mom and dad into the latest pop singles. We're up to number eight featuring songs like Since U Been Gone and I Don't Want To Be. Available online at kidzbop.com.

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