Artist: Johnny & Jason
Album: Be Alive
Description: "Fuzzed-out" rock for your indie-loving preschooler from the Portland duo. Also, for your Wiggles-loving preschooler. (Review)
Source: Bandcamp
Color This Album - Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more
Artist: Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more (Heckabad Records)
Album: Color This Album
Description: The spiritual sequel to the classic Bloodshot Records kiddie compilation The Bottle Let Me Down, this collection of tracks from eastern Northern California features some of the finest Americana-for-kids you'll hear this year. If you stream just one song, make it "Take You Into My Arms." But don't stream just one song. (Review)
Source: Bandcamp
"Bubble Wrap" - Baron Von Rumblebuss
Artist: Baron Von Rumblebuss
Song: "Bubble Wrap"
Album: N/A
Description: It's been a little while since we've heard new music from the North Carolina-based power-popper, so glad to hear that Tray Batson hasn't lost his touch. It didn't arrive via "ups" man, but digital will do just fine. (Except for the bubble wrap popping -- gotta have the real thing for that.)
Source: Reverbnation
"Doggy in the Diner" - Jesse Olsen Bay
Artist: Jesse Olsen Bay
Song: "Doggy in the Diner"
Album: N/A
Description: A delightful little single from the Bay Area-based, er, Bay. Animals in places they probably shouldn't be, doing things they probably shouldn't be doing, with lo-fi ("mason jar percussion") accompaniment. (The "explicit" version is 99% a joke, by the way -- it earns it for using the word "cigarette.") It's a name your price download, if you'd like...
Source: Bandcamp
The Deep Woods - Red Yarn
Artist: Red Yarn
Album: The Deep Woods
Description: I liked the Portland musician/puppeteer's 21st century take on folk music that way predates the 21st century a whole bunch, so, yeah, I kinda think you and your family should give it a spin.
Source: Bandcamp
Marsh Mud Madness - Roger Day
Artist: Roger Day
Album: Marsh Mud Madness
Description: This album started out as a DVD -- OK, it actually started out as a glimmer in somebody's eye, then a live show, and then a DVD, but now it's an album. They're songs inspired by a visit to the University of Georgia Marine Institute. They're pretty educational in nature, and so I'm not sure there are going to be too many families spinning the entire album on repeat (except maybe those families headed by two marine biologists), but it'll do well in classroom settings and (for some songs) scattered through mixtapes.
Source: Bandcamp
Can You Canoe? - The Okee Dokee Brothers
Artist: The Okee Dokee Brothers
Album: Can You Canoe?
Description: Grammy winner. Winner of the Fids and Kamily Award for best kids music album of 2012. Do you need further reasons to listen if you haven't already? Really, just go.
Source: Soundcloud
Up & At 'Em! - Andrew and Polly
Artist: Andrew & Polly
Album: Up & At 'Em!
Description: Sparkly and playful acoustic pop for your 3-year-old. This is their 2010 album, which will likely whet your family's appetite for their forthcoming follow-up. "When You're a Dog" won the 2012 ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children's Music Award.
Source: Bandcamp
