Anyone who knows me well knows I am a music junkie. I play music (guitar, bass, a little bit of drums and most recently piano), my favorite video game is Rock Band, and my iTunes currently shows that I have 27,138 songs (or 71.3 days worth of continuous music). So yeah, I like music.
We figured out early on with Cora that our typical musical fare in the car and at home wouldn’t work long term. Many of our favorite artists tend to curse a lot and dwell on topics like drug abuse and depression. I was bound and determined to guide Cora’s musical life from the beginning so that I can try to avoid getting sucked into the Barney trap (and of course, so that my daughter will grow up with good musical taste
). I know that eventually there will likely be Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana style concerts in my future, and I’m — ahem — OK with that. But I refuse to listen to singing purple dinosaurs.
A lot of people talk about how great the Wiggles are — how they aren’t the typical kiddie band, because they were a real band originally and then turned “kiddie” later on. I looked them up on Amazon where they generally get glowing reviews and 4+ stars on every album. I’ve had great luck in trusting Amazon reviews in general, so I plunked down 10 bucks and got a Wiggles album. BIG mistake. Seriously, these guys are annoying. Every song is wiggle this and wiggle that — OK, we get it. I mean I realize that the point is to entertain toddlers, but I don’t understand how adults could enjoy it. It’s absolutely grating.
I have since spent several hours online searching out stuff that would be good for Cora and wouldn’t drive me nuts. So without further ado, here are some of my current favorite albums for (parents of) infants and young toddlers:
by Barenaked Ladies
This is a really fun album by a “normal” grownup band that was never too serious to begin with. The lyrics are playful and often very funny (Crazy ABC’s still makes me laugh). BNL have been around long enough that they are well practiced at crafting catchy pop melodies and that really comes through on this album. All of the songs are great, but I challenge anyone alive to listen to Popcorn (track 10) and not instantly start smiling and singing along.
by Trout Fishing in America
This is actually a live concert album, and was my introduction to TFiA. I subsequently bought one of their studio albums (It’s a Puzzle, which is also quite good) but there is something about the energy of their live set that I really like. In fact, of the songs that are on both albums, I generally enjoy the live versions more, which is not always the case with other concert albums I own. Also, being a concert album, it’s a “greatest hits” song list of sorts, and the songs are (mostly) really good. In particular, Kasi and I both find ourselves singing My Hair Had a Party Last Night and My Pants Fell Down long after the iPod has been turned off. My hands-down favorite song in my entire “kiddie” music collection at this point is the live version of Alien in My Nose — fantastically catchy and energetic music paired with hilarious lyrics. When this song comes on in the car even when I’m by myself, I crank it up and sing along — not bad for a kiddie tune!
by Laurie Berkner
This is a somewhat low-key, mostly acoustic album of super-catchy “singer/songwriter” tunes. The music is good, but it’s the lyrics and melodies that really stand out compared to most other kid’s songs. Laurie Berkner really has a knack for writing tunes that seem simple, but will really stick in your head and encourage singing along. The album opener We Are the Dinosaurs will grab you right from the start with its marching tempo, and is one of my favorites. Some other standout tracks include Doodlebugs, I Love My Rooster (the “cock-a-doodle-doo-dee-doodley-doo” refrain in the chorus is infectious) and Last Night I Had a Dream.
by Justin Roberts
I don’t really love Justin Roberts’ voice to be honest. It’s a bit nasally for my usual taste. With that said, I still love this album on the strength of the music and songwriting, which incorporates a lot of humor. The opening title track Pop Fly is really funny and the chorus is instantly memorable. Big Field Trip is another one with a great chorus that I love singing to when it comes on. And of course, the song Stay-at-Home Dad has a special place in my heart since the lyrics hit so close to home for me
by The Sippy Cups
This album is seriously awesome, and anyone who is at all drawn to the late ’60’s rock/pop/psychedelic vibe will love it. Of course I bought the album on the strength of the album title alone (I mean really, any children’s album that is named in reference to a Jimi Hendrix record simply has to be good) and I was not disappointed. The music and songwriting are infectiously catchy (Drinking From the Sky, Springtime Fantastic, Flower Tower) and you won’t even notice that it’s kiddie music. Little Puffer is a driving train song with a fun beat and a chorus that will stick in your head for a while. My favorite song is probably I Am a Robot, a mellow little pop song very reminiscent of old Pink Floyd. I really can’t praise this album highly enough. Seriously, do yourself a favor — buy it now.
by Dan Zanes
This is just straightforward mellow acoustic rock with a fun vibe to it. The lyrics are not particularly “kid’s lyrics” — they are just nice, easy-listening songs with fun melodies and good music that you could easily imagine hearing on the radio on any given day. My favorites are Catch That Train and the titular feel-good tune Smile Smile Smile, both of which I sing along to every time they rotate onto the iPod.
I have a lot more music stored in the kiddie collection, but these are just some of my favorites. Do you have any other recommendations for me — I mean, for Cora? If so, let me know in the comments!