If anticipation for a new album is represented by "E," awesomeness of most recent album is "A," and the amount of time since that most recent album is "T," then E = A * T.
And for me there is no "E" higher in the kids music world right now than for the next Lunch Money album. Their first album, Silly Reflection (review), is a classic, filled with tiny songwriting gems.
The album was released in late 2004, so when their new album is released on January 17, 2009, - the date they will appear on the band's website and first sell them at a show, according to the band - it will be a looong 4+ years between releases (and an entirely different kids' music landscape).
Molly Ledford told me their tentative name for the album, saying it "captures the kind of kid-generated fun we are trying to salute in our songs," (and I agree, it does) but says the name's "not official."
So here's where I -- or rather, you -- can provide Molly and the band some (unsolicited) help. And win a copy of their first album in the bargain.
In Between Naps: The Cure in Concert
I went to see The Cure last night. I wasn't planning on it, but about 3 hours before the show my neighbor called and said they had an extra ticket. So that's how I found myself in our cavernous 5,000-seat theatre downtown, way in the back, watching the band.
As a suburban teenager of the '80s, the Cure are embedded in my musical memories, and they're impossible to get out. But I'm really only a "Greatest Hits" fan, not hardcore, so while I faintly recognized some of the songs that are nearly 30 years old at this point, I was waiting for more of the mid-to-late-'80s stuff. Oh well.
If you are a fan, I think you'll like the show -- they did seem to play a broad range of stuff and the new songs they played weren't half-bad.
What I wasn't prepared for was just how much the show, well, rocked. I mean, seriously. I'd never reflected on how important the bass and guitar lines were in their songs, but the mix last night brought them front and center and they sounded great. (It also helped me how hear perfectly-crafted of a pure pop song "Lovesong" is.)
The only downside is that ur-Goth (or Goth-father) Robert Smith's vocals weren't out in front, and I've always thought his vocals on record were what made it all work. In fact, by choosing to RAWK, some of the nimbleness, both vocally and sonically, disappeared completely.
It was a good show, but I got to sleep at 12:30 and rose with the sun at 5:00, so it's been difficult not to fall asleep at my computer or in my lunch today.
So click to the jump and find out how I'm addressing my lack of sleep and those of you asking, "But, Stefan, what in the world does this have to do with kids' music?"
Video: "Night Time Party" - Egg
A couple weeks ago, I bemoaned the lack of live-action kids music videos. Soon thereafter I got an e-mail from Jeff Fuller, head honcho of the LA-based band Egg (myspace) saying, essentially, "Hey, what about our video?"
And, sure enough, it's a live-action video with a little bit of plot, a little bit of whimsy, and perhaps in the last minute or so, a little too much mugging for the camera. But as live-action kids music videos go, it's a cute video to go with an appealing roots-rock tune for the kiddos.
(It's OK, I've already got more animated videos lined up...)
This Sounds Like Nothing Else
Remember when I told you about about the new album from Seattle band Central Services Board of Education?
Well, I've been spinning a pre-release version for the past few days. I can't tell you what my final verdict on the album (I need to figure that out myself) but I can tell you this, the new album sounds like nothing else you'll hear in the kids music genre all year. I can't think of another album that will generate the chatter this one will. "Audacious" is a pretty good adjective here. One they'd probably use.
Play Parties for China
I don't often pass along benefit news because if I did, I'd end up doing nothing but that. I thought the following item of sufficient interest, however, to mention here. We'll get back to regularly-scheduled slightly snarky comments soon.
From June 9th to June 23rd participating Gymboree sites across the world will be hosting Kids Helping Kids play parties, with all proceeds going to Mercy Corps to help efforts in China's Sichuan province impacted by the recent earthquake. Besides, you know, playing, each participating site will create an original friendship quilt, personalized by Gymboree children and sent to China offer. Putumayo World Music is helping out, too -- all of the Putumayo music you'll hear featured at the party will be available for purchase with proceeds going to China through Mercy Corps.
Go here to learn about Mercy Corps' efforts in China.
Austin Kiddie Limits: Schedule Set, Let Schedule-Balancing Begin.
A few weeks ago, the Austin City Limits and Austin Kiddie Limits lineup was announced, now comes the hard part -- figuring out what shows you're gonna see at this year's ACL Festival.
Austin Kiddie Limits lineup after the jump. Now updated for a totally revised schedule. Oh, and I hope you're not a big fan of both Beck andRobert Plant and Alison Krauss, 'cuz your Saturday night will now be fraught with confusion...
