These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the June, 2002 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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| If you've ever heard "Boss of Me," the Grammy Award-winning theme song
from the Fox TV show, "Malcolm In The Middle," you're familiar with the
clever and catchy music of the celebrated rock group, They Might Be Giants.
Now the group is entering the arena of children's and family music, and
to my thinking, this is a perfect match. Why? Throughout its 20-year career--which
has included 10 albums, half a dozen TV theme songs, and original music
for advertisers such as Coca Cola and Chrysler--TMBG has pushed musical
boundaries. "We've always tried to hold on to our kid-like impulses, and
our songs have always had a lot of unusual imagery in them, [so] we felt
it was a good time to explore this genre of music," says John Flansburgh,
who created They Might Be Giants with John Linnell.
TMBG's debut children's music release, No! (Idlewild Recordings, 2002), will arrive in stores June 11. As with its other music projects, TMBG enters this genre without a formula, letting its creative ideas drive the composing and arranging. These 17 songs are loaded with intriguing word play and quirky and unusual imagery, and are set to very eclectic musical arrangements. My 6-year-old's favorites include "The House At The Top Of The Tree," "Robot Parade" and the remake of a mid-60s Public Service Announcement that reminds children not to cross the street "In The Middle, In The Middle, In The Middle." I could go on and on about the musical strengths of each song, the abundance of clever and creative songwriting, and why kids will squeal with delight for No! In "Four of Two," a boy has planned to meet a friend at two o'clock. The listener quickly realizes that the big clock on the corner of 5th Avenue and 22nd Street is not working, but the boy keeps waiting. Eventually he gets tired and falls asleep (complete with a vivid dream sequence) but the clock never moves from "four of two." TMBG possess a wonderful gift: the ability to create melodies and musical arrangements that match and enhance the lyrics. This is the art of music-making and when it is done well, it is completely transparent and usually goes unnoticed. In "Four Of Two," the opening lines of the verses are easy going in their speech and rhythm pattern. When the anticipation and anxiousness comes into play, the melody quickens, the chord progression speeds up and the musical aspects fully support the lyrics and the feel of the story. Other standouts on No! include the danceable "Clap Your Hands," the story-like "Lazy Head and Sleepybones," and a couple of very surreal, completely child-like songs, "Violin" and "I Am Not Your Broom." And leave it to TMBG to write a song called "I Am A Grocery Bag." There's also the folk/rock song "Where Do They Make Balloons;" "Fibber Island," a place where kids strum rubber guitars and sew buttons on cars; "John Lee Supertaster," which extols the virtues of a guy whose super-powers make flavors explode in his mouth; and the title song, "No!" which reaffirms "no is no / no is always no / if they say no it means a thousand times no." Probably the coolest thing about No! is that it is one of those new "enhanced" CDs that plays all the songs through your CD player, but also contains illustrated and animated versions of 13 of the songs that can be played on your computer (PC or Mac). The game-like enhancements allow the listener to interact with animated sequences and even direct the action. My son's favorites are "The House At The Top Of The Tree" and "In The Middle." Each animated song has the lyrics on a scrolling sing-along bar at the bottom of the screen. Visit www.giantkid.net to view the animated clips, listen to the songs and see why I think No! is the most creative, musically hip and exciting children's music CD to come out since Gunnar Madsen's "Ants In My Pants." Go Back to Top Another new, enhanced children's music CD that may appeal to the preschooler around your house is Bob The Builder The Album (BBC Worldwide, 2002). This merchandising offshoot of the popular television show spotlights the main characters through song. In addition to the hit "Can We Fix It?" (All together now: "Yes, we can!"), you will hear "Bob's Line Dance," "Blonde Haired Gal In A Hard Hat (Wendy's song)," Spud the Scarecrow's quest for "What Can I Be?" and a cover version of the 60's hit "(I'm So) Dizzy" for the youngest member of Bob's team, Dizzy the Orange Cement Mixer. This CD has an English pop and disco sound with lots of synthesizers and heavy drum tracks. You hear the characters chatter in and out of the songs and you're even treated to a duet spotlighting Bob and Elton John on "Crocodile Rock." The enhanced portion of the CD (for PC and Mac) features two bonus videos, "Mambo No. 5" and "Crocodile Rock." For more information visit www.bobthebuilder.com. Go Back to Top A new CD marketed for children and families, which would make a wonderful enhanced CD, is Latin Playground (Putumayo, 2002). Latin Playground is the third family music release from Putumayo World Music, following in the steps of their critically acclaimed World Playground and its sequel World Playground 2. This compilation features great songs and talented artists from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela. It's part of Putumayo's education division, the aim of which is to "foster music appreciation, promote positive multicultural values and improve children's learning success through the arts." In addition to being chock-full of exciting and authentic Latin music geared to the whole family, the accompanying CD booklet offers informative and entertaining liner notes with lyrics in English and Spanish. Each song is accompanied by information about its country of origin and musical style. I'm a little biased, but I can't think of a better way to bring the world to our children than through its music. More information about Latin Playground and other world music titles can be found at www.putumayo.com. Go Back to Top Please don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts about the children's music you are enjoying, and feel free to comment on this column at any time. My e-mail address is fred@bestchildrensmusic.com or write to me in care of Chicago Parent. Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized children's musician. His new children's music website, www.BestChildrensMusic.com, provides recommendations and information about selecting quality children's music, as well as access to past Chicago Parent reviews. Koch lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and son. Go Back to Top |
