This Review is brought to you by This Rant:
Generally, when a band’s press release describes the CD as “music for kids that won’t drive adults crazy” I have one immediate reaction:
I imagine that the label/band haven’t a clue about the current state of kid’s/family music into which they have entered. If they did, they’d realize that their CD, however good it may be, is far from the first to not drive parents crazy.
Zanes, Roberts, Rymer, They Might Be Giants, Recess Monkey, Ralph’s World, Trout Fishing in America, Bill Harley, Randy Kaplan, 23 Skidoo. These names (and a lot more) need to mean something to other kid’s acts and musicians entered this kiddie genre.
Sure, there are some god-awful children’s records being released (and ignored by OWTK) and always will be, but please, please do not make the “finally a kid’s record that won’t drive you crazy” claim. Such a statement shows both a gross misjudgement of the genre and is insulting to the bands already blazing the trail of all-ages, whole-family musical endeavors.
Now we return to your regularly scheduled CD review…
The Baby Grands’ debut collection of tasty rock-n-roll morsels is indeed perfect for listeners of all ages and will certainly not drive anyone crazy. It’s a well conceived, mature set of tunes that could share a bunk bed with both Terrible Twos CDs at kindie rock summer camp.
There are a couple of real gems on The Baby Grands’ debut. “Hittin‘ The Road”, the opening track, is an ode to 4 wheel family adventures from coast to coast. Not that I mind, I’m particularly keen on the topic (especially having just completed a 10 day journey ourselves), but is every kid’s act recording a road trip song these days? It’s the only thing high gas prices aren’t putting a stop too…are Staycation songs next?
One reason you might be inclined to stay close to home could be your family pet. If your clan is fond of man’s best friend, you might wanna grab a tissue for the musically upbeat but awfully sentimental “Wet Nosed Friend”. It’s a dance-y tune, for sure, but with lyrics like this: “You grow up so fast / ’cause you aged in dog years / my mom told us this / while I covered your ears / ’cause I don’t want you to worry about a thing” there’s bound to be a tear or two heading south from your eyes if you’ve ever had and lost a canine friend.
Speaking of danceable numbers…Ricky Martin both introduced and ruined the word Loco for me yet I sing along with glee to the fantastic “Sugar Makes Me Loco”. I still cringe every single time that word leaves my mouth but The Baby Grands deft song about a sugar-crazed kid finally getting some goodies from his unknowing Grandmom eases my vernacular pain. It’s a hilarious song, one certain to get you and your family up off the couch and shakin‘ it around the house.
Not every song hits it’s mark but the misses are few and far between, making this a highly enjoyable debut CD from a promising new kiddie rock band.
Sample tracks on the band’s MySpace page.
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