Video: "Poor Dust Bunnies" - Caspar Babypants

When your fans turn out fan videos like these, then you've got it made. Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew) has got it made. Here's a very simple, but cute, video for "Poor Dust Bunnies" (off of Here I Am!) from a fan by the name of Greg DeLiso. Caspar Babypants - "Poor Dust Bunnies" (fan video) [YouTube]

Announcing the Top Kids Music Albums of All Time Poll

TopKidsAlbumsLogo.jpgHow many "Best Of" album lists are there (answer: about a kajillion) and how many of them are for albums recorded for kids and families (answer: none)? I mean, sure, there's the assorted list here and there, but where's the definitive list of the best kids music albums from the genre's rich history, based on the expertise of dozens, if not hundreds (thousands?) of reviewers, librarians, parents? Right here. Well, OK, it's not here yet. That's where you come in. I'm announcing my Top Kids Music Albums of All Time Poll, and I need (or at least would like) your participation. The rules are fairly simple (I think): 1) By October 7, at 8:59 PM West Coast time (11:59 PM East Coast time) -- e-mail me (zooglobble AT earthlink DOT net) your list of the top 10 kids music albums of all time. Put "top kids music poll" (or something like that) in the subject line. Don't give me your list in the comments below. 2) Rank your 10 albums from most favorite (which will get 10 points) to least most favorite (which will get 1 point). If you give me 11 (or more), I'll just ignore anything after the first 10. If you give me less than 10, then you won't get all 10 points for your top choice (in other words, if you just submit 2 albums, the top one will get just 2 points). Oh, and I don't like ties -- I will simply give a higher score to the album listed first. Update: If you can write "Top" or something like that next to your top (10-point) choice, that'll just make me confident that I have the order correct. 3) Feel free to leave comments with your poll submission. I may choose to incorporate those comments into the poll results, with your attribution if you so desire. Your ballot will remain private (unless you want to publish it elsewhere) and not be published or forwarded on. 4) Artists: Don't solicit votes for your albums. It's tacky. If you have any questions, please feel to shoot me a line. Finally, full credit for the idea goes to Elizabeth Bird at Fuse #8, who put together a fabulous Top 100 Picture Books of All Time Poll this past spring. I'm looking forward to getting swamped with entries!

Video: "Science Is Real" - They Might Be Giants

If any video or song from They Might Be Giants' excellent new CD/DVD set Here Comes Science will generate controversy, it's the leadoff track "Science Is Real." "I like those stories / about angels, unicorns, and elves / Now, I like those stories / As much as anybody else / But when I'm seeking knowledge / Either simple or abstract / The facts are with science / Science is real," the Johns sing, and I suppose there are going to be a few people in the angel camp who are displeased. (I guess they can join the displeased unicorn and elvish factions.) Now, I don't actually think of this song as being anti-religion (I personally subscribe to a faith that has room for science), but there may be folks who disagree. Listen, watch, and decide for yourself (which is, uh, one of the implicit themes of the whole album). They Might Be Giants - "Science Is Real" [YouTube]

Itty-Bitty Review: Hello Night - Kesang Marstrand

HelloNight.jpgUnlike any other lullaby album you'll hear this year, Hello Night is the creation of New York-based singer-songwriter Kesang Marstrand. It's buoyed by Marstrand's simple songs, spare accompaniment, and her delicate, beautiful voice. Especially her voice, which is clear and just about perfect for an album like this. Many of the songs -- all original -- on the album take inspiration from the natural world, from the opening tracks "Dandelion" and "Carry On Crickets" to songs like "Cocooned In My Blanket," in which the snuggled child thinks of becoming a butterfly. (I also particularly liked the placement of "All the Little Children," about all the adventures the not-yet-sleeping child could have with the singer, at the end of the album.) If you listen to the 37-minute album repeatedly in the light of day (an occupational hazard of reviewing music), you may tire of the relatively narrow range of song styling and guitar accompaniment. (One of the most welcome tracks is "Rest," which unlike the other songs, features Marstrand accompanying herself on kalimba instead of guitar.) But that's not a huge concern with lullaby albums, designed as they are to be listened to in the background (or subconsciously after falling asleep), for which radical changes in style are not to be wished for. The album is obviously most appropriate for kids age 0 through 4 and their weary caregivers. You can listen to samples here and here. Families who have found a spot in their record collection for the mellow music of Frances England and Renee & Jeremy should give Hello Night a spin. It's an album you could spend many nights with. Recommended.

How Long Does It Take To Go Cross-Country By Tricycle?

I've followed the Tricycle Music Fest at the public libraries of Charlotte and Mecklenburg Country, which brought some pretty big-name acts to that North Carolina neck of the woods -- They Might Be Giants, Gustafer Yellowgold, Father Goose, Lunch Money, Frances England, and so on. So it was with some sadness that I noted this past summer that the event was taking a hiatus. But never fear, Tricycle fans -- San Francisco is filling the gap. That's right, Tricycle Music Fest West is coming to San Francisco in October, Charlotte tricycle and all. No big national names, but for an area with so many great bands/musicians, you could put on a pretty good show with just local acts, and the Fest has. A big October 10 show and the main library will feature Charity and the JAMband, Frances England, and the Hipwaders, along with the Time-Outs, and the Devil-ettes and Pip-Squeak-A-Go-Go. Charity, Frances, and the Time-Outs will also be playing shows at local branches. Yay libraries! Yay music at libraries! Yay tricycles at libraries! (OK, I'm still working on that last one.)