A couple of things to keep in mind here: 2011 is, for the purpose of these lists, defined as 11/1/10-10/31/11 (with special exception being made for one disc, “Strange Dees, Indeed”, officially released on 11/1). I went out to 52 top songs for 2011 because I had to. In fact, […]
For the 3rd consecutive year, I had the privilege of penning the year-end top 10 kid’s CDs article for Time Out New York Kids Magazine. This year, another fantastic one for the genre, I pitched the idea of expanding the piece to include more of the year’s best – and […]
THE DEEDLE DEEDLE DEES “STRANGE DEES, INDEED” A vaudevillian Twilight Zone of a CD that’s at times barbershop quartet smooth, Elmo’s World silly & interactive, and just plain odd. “Strange Dees, Indeed” is undeniably the Brooklyn band’s most sonically consistent work (hat tip to Dean Jones wonderful production) but don’t […]
PAPA CROW “THINGS THAT ROAR” You may already know the tale of Bon Iver’s debut album “For Emma, Long Ago”. As the story goes, the bearded singer/songwriter Justin Vernon holed himself up in a northern Wisconsin cabin during a harsh winter to reflect and record what would eventually become one […]
TODD MCHATTON “GALACTIC CHAMPIONS OF JOY” I sloppily made out with “Sundays at the Rocket Park”, McHatton’s last album, during a torrid affair in 2010 but I want to elope in the middle of the night in Vegas with “Galactic Champions of Joy”. I’m filled with that level of poor-decision-making […]
DAN ZANES “LITTLE NUT TREE” “Wonder Wheel” is the quintessential Dan Zanes song; as jubilant as a campfire sing-along, as memorable as an up-too-late Friday night with great friends, and loaded with imagery so specific in its 1st person experience yet also with an open slot for your own memories […]
RECESS MONKEY “FLYING!” [warning: the first 276 words of this lengthy review will make it seem as though I do not like this album. this is not true. please read through to the end.] This is not Recess Monkey’s best album. Thank. Freaking. God. The Seattle trio’s 6th CD does, […]
Chris Ballew is back with another set of stripped down toddler tunes under his playful Caspar Babypants monikor. The aptly titled “Sing Along!” has loaded with star power (Weird Al, members of Pearly Jam, Frances England, Recess Monkey, Rachel Loshak) but should it be loaded into your family CD player?
