After going over-the-top for their first two videos ("Do The Elephant" and "Spanimals"), New York's Jimmies do what all artists do for their third release -- go power-ballad.
OK, it's not really a power ballad (there is no poofed hair), but "Taddy" is one of the few sweet and tender songs off Make Your Own Someday, and now it has a video to match, one in which the band members sit around and don't even lip-synch a word.
But it's awesome in its own way.
The Jimmies - "Taddy"
By the way, is there a word for tweaking your video to make the YouTube "pull-clip" (such as the "Taddy" above) be particularly enticing (or relevant)?
The Biscuit Brothers, Where They Belong. On YouTube.
Now, don't get me wrong -- Austin's Biscuit Brothers are most thoroughly enjoyed on your local PBS station or on DVD. But it's been a bit of a pain trying to describe the show with, you know, just words.
Relief for the word-challenged Biscuit-appreciating music writer is at hand, however, because the Brothers finally have themselves their own YouTube channel.
That's right, they have nine videos from the show posted on the site, ready for your viewing pleasure.
And I'm going to tell you which ones to watch first.
So, I'd start with the immortal "Chickens Playing Bongos," which has several things going for it, including the almost-always hysterical Tiny Scarecrow, lots of different instruments to learn, and chickens playing bongos. Sadly, the chickens are unseen, but otherwise it's a fun little vignette...
But there are eight more videos... Which ones should you watch first?
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.
KidVid Tournament 2008: Final - Mr. Richard vs. They Might Be Giants
Here we go, everyone, the final of KidVid Tournament 2008. This contest pits "Cheese" from Mr. Richard's Polka Dot Puzzle (video directed by Banks Helfrich) against "The Seven Days of the Week (Never Go To Work)," from They Might Be Giants' Here Come the 123s CD/DVD (video directed by David Cowles and Sean McBride).
As always, vote once per family only, please, in the comments below. Votes are due by 9 PM West Coast (midnight East Coast) tonight (Tuesday). And, remember, vote nicely.
Mr. Richard - "Cheese"
They Might Be Giants - "Seven Days of the Week (Never Go To Work)"
Barenaked Ladies Are Not Just Peckish, But Bookish As Well
For those of you who were kinda taken by the cover art for Snacktime, Barenaked Ladies' first kids' album (due out May 6), well, now you can get a whole bunch more of that. Instead of just preordering the CD alone, you can preorder the CD and an accompanying book. Yes, you can also get a book featuring a collection of stories based upon the album, with illustrations from bandmember Kevin Hearn (who also did the album cover).
I'll have a review of the album soon enough, but I think longtime readers of the website will probably find the preorder price ($10 for the CD alone, $15 for the book/CD combo, both shipped) tempting.
But in case you need to hear more...
KidVid Tournament 2008: Renee & Jeremy vs. They Might Be Giants
While yesterday's matchup was a live-action affair, the 2nd semifinal in KidVid 2008 is an all-animation competition. Renee & Jeremy offer "It's A Big World," a soft lullaby from their It's A Big World disk (review). They Might Be Giants counter with "The Seven Days of the Week (Never Go To Work)," a zippy anti-work/pro-trumpet practice tune from Here Come the 123s (review).
You know the rules by now. One vote per family -- one per family, folks! -- in the comments below, due by 9 PM tonight (Thursday). As always, vote nice, y'all.
Renee & Jeremy - "It's A Big World"
They Might Be Giants - "Seven Days of the Week (Never Go To Work)"
