Video: "Breakfast Club" - Tim Kubart (feat. Carly Ciarrocchi) (World Premiere!)

There are many things Tim Kubart is good at, but right near the top of that list is his ability around a kids music video.  From "Superhero" to "2nd Grade Show", Kubart's videos are engaging and produced with panache.

He's got a brand-new album out this week, the filled-with-hits Home, and one of those hits gets the honor of lead single and video.  The song "Breakfast Club" features an earworm of a melody, handclaps, and a slick guest rap from Kubart's Sprout co-star Carly Ciarrocchi -- it's a winner of a track all by itself.

But the video itself is no slouch, either.  It's not plot-based like those two videos mentioned above, but what it lacks in visual narrative drive, it gains in natural good humor.  As has been the case in his other videos -- and generously, given his visibility on TV -- Kubart plays a supporting role in the video.  The stars are the friends that sing around the breakfast table, and in this case, Kubart notes they're literally his friends and friends of friends.  He was the preschool teacher of some of the kids (though not of actor Kal Penn, who appears in the video with his nephew and family).  As a viewer, it's nice to see the range of kids and families who appear -- some who feel like they're ready for their closeup, and others who just seem bemused by the idea of filming.  (Also: can you spot the cameo appearances by stars of Kubart's previous videos?)

Kubart's got a few gigs lined up in October to celebrate the album's release -- several shows in and around Austin during the Austin City Limits Festival, plus Boston, Philadelphia, NYC, even Dayton, Ohio -- for more details, go here.

But, if you can't see him play live, his videos are always worth your family's time.  I'm pleased as punch to present the world premiere to "Breakfast Club."

Tim Kubart (feat. Carly Ciarrocchi) - "Breakfast Club" [YouTube]

Review: Odds & Ends - Andrew & Polly

Andrew & Polly - Odds & Ends album cover

Andrew & Polly - Odds & Ends album cover

Sometimes album titles don't signify much, but in the case of the brand-new album from Los Angeles-based duo Andrew & Polly, I think it's 100% on point.

Just like the random collection of stuff on the shelf on the album cover art, the tracks here are an assortment of tiny treasures and tracks with less heft.  Unlike many albums, in an interview with them, the duo noted that the album reflects a collection of songs they've written and recorded over time.  Sometimes the results are magical -- "Little Bitta You," a previously-released single, is a zippy and sweet folk-pop song, for example.  And their new song "Grapes" is a strong contender for catchiest kindie track of the year, with a singalong chorus filled with "la la las."

At other points, it does feel like one of those "B-Side" collections that your favorite power-pop band might have released after fifteen years together -- your XTCs, your Fountains of Wayne. There are three covers ("Forever Young," "Here Comes the Sun," and my favorite of the three, "Ghostbusters"), for example plus "Critters," their non-religious take on Bill Staines' classic "All's God's Critters" ("got a place in the choir / some sing low / some sing higher...").

Andrew & Polly have been devoting a lot of attention to their podcast for kids Ear Snacks, and some tracks feel very much like excerpts like that.  "Ghostbusters," with a lot of kid-interaction, was sort of a prototype for the podcast, while "Fruitphabet" is a playful thing, more sound-and-word-play than pop song.  At 28 minutes in length, the album's brevity -- it's barely more than an EP -- is one more thing that makes me think of this as a "B-side" collection.

The album is most appropriate for kids ages 3 through 6, and I should make clear that my middle-aged perspective on what an album "is" (or isn't) won't matter to the kids, who will sometimes groove and other times laugh to the folky, smart, and weird stuff on Odds & Ends.  Ear Snacks is a genuinely original podcast as well.  Andrew & Polly can write such sharp music, that I'm very much looking forward to the next set of songs from the duo, which they say will be a coherent concept album.  In the meantime, there are some tiny treasures on this album, and those will do just fine.  Recommended.

Note: I was given a copy of the album for possible review.

Review: Home - Tim Kubart

Tim Kubart - Home album cover

Tim Kubart - Home album cover

Bless Tim Kubart and his big pop heart.  Whether he's playing his heart out as Tambourine Guy for Postmodern Jukebox or playing with Chica on Sprout's Sunny Side Up Show, the musician and actor dedicates himself to entertaining the viewer and listener to an uncommon degree, even for, well, entertainers.

Kubart's previous albums, a self-titled EP with his band Tim and the Space Cadets and a full-length Anthems for Adventure, contained bits of pop goodness and some tracks that begged to be heard in concert, but on his brand new album Home, out this week, Kubart goes the full pop monty.  You will not hear a kids' music album this year that tries harder to hit pop heights, where you think repeatedly, "Oh, that would be fun to hear on the radio / in concert / on Friday Night Videos."

Luckily, it usually succeeds.  The album title reflects its theme -- songs about life with family and in your home, wherever you and your family call it.  "Breakfast Club" is a song celebrating breakfast, and just typing that, I know, it sounds so basic, but it's so poppy -- handclaps, slinky guitar work, and a nifty rap from Sunny Side Up co-star Carly Ciarrocchi -- that you find yourself singing along to a song, well, celebrating breakfast.  "Showtime" features "Whoas" and "La la las" and a celebration of dressing up a la the Pop Ups' "Costume Party," albeit more uptempo.

On it goes, from the horn-assisted "Sunday Crafternoon," -- I know, that title -- on which Kubart's occasional fellow Postmodern Jukebox musician Drue Davis offers up another rap that by itself makes the song worth it to "Better," which goes all Lumineers on us and features a duet with kindie superstar Laurie Berkner.  I heard echoes of Walk Off the Moon and '80s soundtrack legend Kenny Loggins in "Backyard Swinging," and of Thriller-era Michael Jackson in "Rooms."  If Tim Kubart were female, I'm sure I'd be thinking of female pop juggernauts like Taylor Swift or Carly Rae Jepsen instead.

I can't say that I found the three "Job at the House" interludes -- which sound like commercial jingles for, well, household chores -- very engaging.  And as always been Kubart's wont, his songs (written with longtime musical partner and fellow ex-Jimmies bandmate Matt Puckett) are super-focused on the kids lyrically, with less for the adults to latch onto.  (That's not a criticism, but some families -- i.e., parents -- dig it, and others, less so.)  Having said that, the album opener and closer, "Last Turn Home" and "Moving Day," which both ape fun.'s soaring singalong chorus style, attempt a more emotional approach to the subject of home and where it is and are definitely the two tracks that might appeal equally to a much broader audience on a topical level.

The 37-minute album is most appropriate for listeners 4 through 7, but its modern pop sounds are crafted to have a much broader appeal sonically.  While I've always thought Kubart's music had their share of pop hooks, Home is bursting at the seams with them and is his best effort yet.  As I said, bless Tim Kubart and his big pop heart.  Definitely recommended.

Note: I received a copy of the album for possible review.

Radio Playlist: New Music September 2015

This is the busiest time of the year for releases in the kids music world -- I would've held a couple of these back just to make the list a little shorter... but next month's will probably be just as long.  If you want to catch my list from August you can see that playlist here.

As always, it's limited in that if an artist hasn't chosen to post a song on Spotify, I can't put it on the list, nor can I feature songs from as-yet-unreleased albums.  But I'm always keeping stuff in reserve for the next Spotify playlist.

Check out the list here.

**** New Music September 2015 (September 2015 Kindie Playlist) ****

"Sloop John B. (feat. Jesse Wagner)" - Josh and the Jamtones

"Cardboard Box" - Play Date

"Kitty Wampus" - Duke Otherwise

"Pancakes for Breakfast" - Ginalina

"Olly Ollie Oxen Free" - Pete Sinjin

"20 More Dollars" - Chibi Kodama

"I Like to Potty" - Danimal

"Cakenstein" - Gustafer Yellowgold

"Keely's Song" - Dan Schteingart

"Saying I Love You" - Vivi Melody

"Alligator Noodles" - Rainbow Rock

"Hello, Goodbye, Shalom" - Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights

"George the Duck" - Rap Club

"Everybody Get Movin'" - Mr. Steve & Miss Katie

"Alastair Frump" - Seanster and the Monsters

"You Were Meant To Be" - Renee and Friends (feat. Glen Phillips)

Review: Meshugana - Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights

Joanie Leeds and the NIghtlights Meshugana album cover

Joanie Leeds and the NIghtlights Meshugana album cover

With Christianity still the majority religion in the United States, most of those with a different or no religion still probably get a pretty good idea of the basic contours of the Christian rituals, at least Christmas and Easter, even if only through music.  But what about those other religions?  Where are the songs that might share those rituals with a wider audience?

There are a number of artists who've recorded albums that present Jewish culture and traditions for a kid-centered audience, so Joanie Leeds is hardly the first.  In fact, her latest album, Meshugana, isn't even her first attempt at an album celebrating those Jewish rituals (though it is her first with her band The Nightlights).

It is, however, one of the most successful I've heard as a non-Jewish listener at conveying that culture both 1) with a modern sound, and 2) in a way that might bring those Gentiles like me a little bit closer.  About half of the songs are tied to specific Jewish holidays, but the rest are more applicable year-round.  The album's strongest track, the tender "Hello, Goodbye, Shalom," neatly weaves together the Hebrew word "Shalom" (meaning "hello," "goodbye," and "peace") into a gentle Beatles tribute that succeeds on every level.  "PJ Party" celebrates reading with a soaring sing-along chorus and just a handful of Hebrew words mixed in.  And the title track is about as revved up and mixed-up as you might expect a song about a "crazy person" (the meaning of "meshugana") might be.

As a non-Jewish listener, the songs that are more tied to specific holidays were not as compelling to me, but Leeds definitely tried to keep them accessible -- "Honey and Apples," tied to a ritual for Rosh Hashana, was my favorite of these.  As with the rest of Leeds' work, the songs (all original -- even "Wade in the Water" gets a Passover reworking) are mostly funny, occasionally tender, and feature a range of rock styles from folk-rock to indie-pop, even a hint of country.

The 35-minute album will be most appropriate for kids ages 4 through 9.  You can stream the album here.  For those of you wanting lyrics, yes, the physical copy includes those in the liner notes.

We're not Jewish, so I can't see our family breaking out this CD often, but I could certainly envision spinning selected songs in playlists throughout the year.  And for those families (or classrooms) who want to share a little more about the Jewish culture and faith -- or for those families who want to celebrate their faith with some 21st-century pop sounds -- Meshugana will make for a nice addition to their collections.  Recommended.

Note: I was given a copy of the album for possible review.