I'm still in the process of, well, processing the debut album from Me 3, a new band from San Franciscan musician Jason Kleinberg. So a review will come later, but because I think it's going to generate a lot of talk, I figured I'd start the ball rolling.
His website used to say something like, "for fans of Dan Zanes," which I think captured the spirit of their music a little bit, but it sounds nothing like DZ. Think slower, Mr. David perhaps, or the oddity of Duplex.
You can listen to three tracks -- "Apple," "Tulip," and "I Don't Know" -- at their Myspace page. (Some more tracks/clips are at their main website.)
And trust me, you're gonna hear more about the band...
Listen To This: "Rise and Shine" - Central Services Board of Education
It's no secret I've been a big fan of Central Services Board of Education ever since I caught wind of them many, many months ago. Their self-titled debut will be formally released late this summer, but I've been spinning the album for awhile now, and I've got to tell you, the opening prologue, "Rise and Shine," is my favorite album-opener in quite some time. It's a rip-roarin' song with sparkling keyboards, horns, and vocal gymnastics -- if you're not awake after hearing this, well, you may have some medical problems of some sort.
What's that, you say? You want to hear this fine track? OK, courtesy of the band, here you go (for a limited time only):
Central Services Board of Education - "Prologue - Rise and Shine" (too late!)
If you're from Seattle, you probably recognize the DJ's voice at the beginning of the track -- it's John Richards, host of KEXP's Morning Show, known locally as "John in the Morning." A canny move by the band, but, hey, Richards' a daddy, too.
Snacktime Leftovers
I couldn't squeeze everything I wanted to into my day of Snacktime stuff. Mostly because the stuff I wanted to talk about hadn't actually been, well, posted yet. (I tried to convince them that Monday was the day to do this, but did they listen to me? No.)
But better late than never. First, if you're on the fence about Snacktime (and you probably shouldn't be after reading my review), go over to AOL's New Releases page and you can stream the entire CD.
Second, my friends at the Land of Nod music store have posted their latest Nodcast Podcast with Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies. It's another fun podcast, with Ed playing acoustic versions of "Raisins" and "A Word For That" and spins a couple other tracks from the record. He also plays a game called (echo voice here) "Is It A Guitar?," lets you compose the Nodcast Podcast theme song, and answers exactly why the band got its name.
Listen To This: "Crayola Doesn't Make A Color For Your Eyes" - Kristen Andreassen
The kids music genre includes, of course, those songs explicitly written for kids. But it also includes those songs re-appropriated for kids, though perhaps not originally intended for that audience.
It was in the latter category that I thought "Crayola Doesn't Make a Color For Your Eyes," from Boston-based artist Kristin Andreassen and her solo album Kiss Me Hello, fell into when I first heard it (or, rather, saw the YouTube video below).
It's a love song, ostensibly, but it's about crayons. What a perfect re-appropriated song!, I thought.
And then I found out it won the "Children's Song of the Year" in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest back in 2006. Other winners in the category include Joe McDermott, Thaddeus Rex, and Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, so clearly it's not some out-of-left-field award. Andreassen wrote the song when she was teaching dance in grade schools.
Oh, well, loss of my preconceived notion is your gain, as you can go to the link above and download the track. Lots of fun.
Or you can just be mesmerized by the live rendition of the patty-cake on the album track. If your kids are anything like Miss Mary Mack, they'll be fascinated by the fact they keep that up for nearly 4 minutes.
A Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift (or Two)
Never called the florist? Didn't have time to buy chocolate? Oh, well, the Internet has provided a couple free mp3s for your listening pleasure.
First up, Charity Kahn from the Bay Area-basedCharity and the JAMband has posted "Moon Hug," a mellow love song just as appropriate for a parental mash note to a child. Kahn says in an e-mail that she's working on a new album and the track is from that upcoming album.
And, across the Bay, the Hipwaders have posted "Valentine" at their Myspace page. It's more of a puppy-love song straight out of the '60s.
Both are available for download today only...
My Favorite Kids and Family Songs of 2007
I realize that 2007 ended almost 6 weeks ago, but I really want to make sure that I note publicly my 20 favorite songs in the kids music genre from the past year. I'm not going to go through the fool's errand of trying to rank songs (it's hard enough ranking entire albums), so I'll just provide you a top 10 list (with the songs in no particular order), along with a list of tracks 11 through 20 (again, in no particular order).
If people wonder why in the world you'd ever play kids music for your kids (let alone the whole family), I think these 20 tracks might change at least a few people's minds...
(Note: I've only posted links to complete songs. All links current as of February 2008.)
Top 10 Songs
The Deedle Deedle Dees - "Major Deegan"
Georgie James - "Grizzly Jive" (listen/download here)
ScribbleMonster - "I Wish I Lived In Michigan" (listen here)
Peter Himmelman - "My Green Kite" (listen/download here or listen here)
Steve Lee - "Grab A Balloon" (listen here)
Soccer Team - "I'll Never Fear Ghosts Again" (off the Play compilation from DeSoto Records)
The Nields - "Anna Kick a Hole in the Sky"
Orange Sherbet with Hot Buttered Rum - "Bit By Bit"
The Hipwaders - "Educated Kid" (listen/download here)
The Barenaked Ladies - "The Other Day I Met a Bear" (listen here)
Songs 11-20
Johnny Bregar - "Airplane"
Asylum Street Spankers - "Be Like You" (listen here)
Gustafer Yellowgold (Morgan Taylor) - "Pinecone Lovely" (watch video here)
Renee & Jeremy - "Night Mantra" (listen here or here or watch here)
Sugar Free Allstars - "Bathtub Boy" (listen here)
Andre 3000 - "Throwdown"
Recess Monkey - "The Pool" (listen here)
The Terrible Twos - "Caroline"
Uncle Rock - "Elephant in the Room"
Jambo - "Lady Bug Boogie"
