Product Review: Recess Monkey In Tents CD (Geared for Ages 3-8)
The Hysterically Upbeat Circus-Themed Album “In Tents!”
Have you noticed a really great children’s CD trend on Momma’s Bacon lately? When I think of summer, I think of ‘pool’ music and bringing large speakers outside to blast during cookouts and activities and children’s music has gotten very heavy rotation lately to keep up with our activities. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t listen to music and now with my own child, I’ve kept the more adult versions of my music favorites on the shelves for after hours while touting child and parent friendly music for daytime hours. As a music junkie, the children’s genre was completely foreign to me. My husband had me half-convinced that Brooke only needed to listen to his favorite bands like Bauhaus, Smiths and the English Beat and this would be a perfectly acceptable music lesson for a growing child (after all, wasn’t he cool?). I think the first time our daughter happily sang a song she loved and it was called The Potty Song, he had to sigh deeply and rethink his stance on appropriate children’s music she really wanted to hear. We don’t have to love all the silly nonsense that some musicians try to pander to our children – but can we find a happy medium of musical quality mixed with lyrics appropriate for kids that won’t make parents want to scratch out their ear drums? Yes, of course, we can!
If you read my review on the Boogie Music Dance Kit, you have already gotten a little flavor of the three-person elementary school teacher band from Seattle entitled Recess Monkey. This lovely and musically fun band has just released (June 19, 2012) a brand new eighth album entitled In Tents and I am here to tell that we really think it is fantastic! It is the epitome of a childhood summer to me and what I would have called a ‘pool’ album as a child. Adorably called what Seattle deems as “kindie” music (*ahem* ‘kid indie’ music), that title does fit the bill and I tap my toes and sing the lyrics along with Brooke. This album is especially sweet since it talks about lots of cool and magical events we experienced (or wished to experience) as kids from going to the circus, playing games to discovering magic in everyday events. I was especially drawn to the song “Odditorium” that speaks about all the bizarre and random things our family members embarrassingly do. Although I am speaking from my own childhood, I imagine Brooke will have plenty to relate to coming from this Momma’s Bacon family! This is a super CD with wonderful family-friendly hits that is worth checking out if you haven’t done so. I suppose I am of a mind that kids can’t truly appreciate The Cure, Love and Rockets or Siouxsie and the Banshees until their teen years and, in many ways, I am happy to leave the heartache and sentimental moody teen musical years where they belong – far, far away from her early childhood! Sorry, Bob, I want Recess Monkey for our daytime spins!
Must see! Check out the FREE Fun Video ‘Popcorn’ from In Tents here!
In Tents Song Listing:
- In Tents
- Popcorn
- Sit and Spin
- Human Cannonball
- Odditorium
- Bouncy House
- Carousel
- Twins
- I Could See (Magically)
- House of Cards
- Edwina Mae
- The Dancin’ Bear
- Lemonade
- Crystal Ball
- Show on the Road
Recess Monkey Tour! Don’t forget to check out the SHOW section of their website with their complete summer tour. You know, as schoolteachers, they have to get ready to go back to school by the time September rolls around, so catch them LIVE while you can!
Recess Monkey In Tents CD (Geared for Ages 3-8)
List Price: $14.99 ($10.00 through Recess Monkey Wares!)
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