I think it's clear that I am, at best, a wary observer of Nick Jr.'s Fresh Beat Band. After all, even though I'm not a huge fan of the term, I'd much rather cover the "kindie" artists that are taking exciting chances on making, performing, and distributing their music than spend time on color-outfitted artists. Which is why my ratio of Recess Monkey to Fresh Beat Band mentions is about 9:1 (not an exaggeration).
But I will give credit where credit is due, and this new song of theirs, "Here We Go," is pretty darn catchy. Not to mention less than two minutes long. And if you want to teach the full lyrics to your kiddo (or, they to you, because they've probably already memorized it), Nick Jr.'s got you covered. Anyway, here's a video for the song, featuring enough confetti to require a bath.
The Fresh Beat Band - "Here We Go" [Nick Jr.]
Monday Morning Smile: "All Is Not Lost" - OK Go
Speaking of Pilobolus, OK Go's latest video is a collaboration between the band and the dance troupe for OK Go's new song "All Is Not Lost." It takes just a little while to figure out what's going on, and then it becomes increasingly hypnotic. You and your kids can even play with an interactive version of the video.
Also, I'm thinking of just renaming these "Monday Morning Smile" videos for OK Go since I seem to use them a lot for this purpose.
OK Go - "All Is Not Lost" [YouTube]
The Ketchup Report, Vol. 11
It's time for another roundup of all things ketchup related... OK, not really, it's just a variety of stuff that caught my eye (and ear) since, well, the last Ketchup Report. This one is an all-video edition. Except for these words right here. And the ones below.
First off, this is how you do a promo for a kindie album. A very effective teaser for Alastair Moock's forthcoming album These Are My Friends featuring Moock and Annad Nyack. If there was a tagline for the teaser, it might be "It's just crazy enough to work!"
Video: "Everybody's Got a Name" - Matt Clark
This new video from Matt Clark for his song "Everybody's Got a Name" is fine and all -- it's got simple animation by Jessica Cornelius, simple tune, two Uncle Craigs and a cat called Puddin' Tain.
But it still doesn't resolve the ultimate question -- what's the name of the guy at the grocery store!?!
Matt Clark - "Everybody's Got a Name" [YouTube]
Share: "I'm a Vampire" - Roy Handy & the Moonshot
You know how last year, it was pretty clear even in summer that Justin Roberts' "Trick or Treat" would be the Halloween song of 2010?
This year, I've got a really good feeling about Roy Handy and the Moonshot's new song, "I'm a Vampire." It's catchy, it's funny, and is, well, seasonally appropriate. And, no, it has nothing to do with True Blood or Twilight or any of those things. It's just got an excellent Old '97s-like riff.
Hopefully by the time October rolls around and the song's all over the airwaves (and your stereo), the promised RH&MS EP will be ready. In the meantime, download the song for free below.
(And here's a video...)Video: "Party Day" - The Laurie Berkner Band (World Premiere)
The Laurie Berkner Band have a new DVD coming out later this month. It's called Party Day! and it features 12 all-new videos of longtime Berkner favorites (see: "This Hat") and new ones (see: "Where Is The Cake?"). It also comes with a 5-song EP, which includes a new acoustic version of fan favorite "My Family."
Today, I'm proud to have for you the world premiere of Berkner's "Party Day" video. The video for this "title track" features a ladybug, banana slug, a beetle, and an ant, along with Laurie and the band and the kids dancing around in some silly hats. (Trust me, the hats make a little more sense in the context of the DVD.) It's a fun little song and video, not to mention representative of the DVD's top-notch production quality.
Party Day! is released on July 26th.
