NICK COPE “WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR T-SHIRT?” The Sound: Sleepy acoustic Brit-pop In the Cafeteria, He Sits With: David Tobocman, Heidi Swedberg, John & Mark Best Moments: The deceptively catchy, pause-then-go rhythm of “As I Lie Here in my Bed” is a feast of nifty minor percussion. It’s also a […]
MISTER G “PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST” Mister G’s debut kindie effort is, much like it’s title, a jubilant sometimes irreverent treat. Bluesy, pop-rock songs with populist themes (ponies, dogs, pizza, bath time), curious characters (“Mr. Chubby Pants”, “Mr. Bigsby’s Brown Tuxedo”), and occasional depth (“The Luckiest Kid in the World”, “Don’t […]
BRETT BAND FOR KIDS Self-Titled CD You gotta love an album that opens with zero pretense. Eschewing any claim of hipness, Brett Band for Kids begins with the precious demand “Hug me / ’cause I love you”. Hipster parents may cringe. For everyone else: prepare to “open up your arms […]
JASON RILEY “FUNKY FOLK” Like a gritty metropolis that bellies up to a pristine shoreline, “Funky Folk” too is about disparate ideas working together in harmony. Jason Riley, an accomplished guitarist in a variety of disciplines, offers as his debut work for children a chill, futuristic calypso-jazz-bluegrass-instrumental folk album that […]
Musical confession time: As of 2 weeks ago, I didn’t know the music of Gomez from that of Guster, or from Godsmack for that matter. I think it’s ’bout time I familiarize myself with the former. Tom Gray of the Southport, England indie rock band Gomez has soundtracked 3 puppet […]
“Your ideal / your image / your definition of a friend” – The Afghan Whigs “What Jail Is Like” That lyric first rattled around inside these ears some 17 years ago. It prompted me to examine who I considered a friend and what, exactly, the idea of a friendship meant […]
CASPAR BABYPANTS “THIS IS FUN! The Sound: Sticky & delicious silver dollar pop pancakes for your ears from Presidents of the United States of America singer Chris Ballew. Best Moments: “Googly Eyes” (video below) succinctly encapsulates the endless possibilities of a kiddie arts & crafts experience. Anyone who can include […]
THE BABY GRANDS “THE BABY GRANDS II” The Sound: Low Country alt rock. In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: The Terrible Twos, Ralph’s World Best Moments: “Pounding Heart” is what The Avett Brothers “Kick Drum Heart” might sound like funneled through Blues Traveler, then customized for a climactic scene in […]
