Last month the Virginia-based band Rocknoceros released a single called "Ohio." I liked it.
So now they have a new single -- it's called "Texas" and if the state's BBQ doesn't hit you in the solar plexus, perhaps Williebob's guitar work will. Really, the whole song is pretty nifty and I suggest you check it out via YouTube, which is where the younguns these days find out about their music. (If you like it, you can download "Texas" here.)
Rocknoceros - "Texas" [YouTube]
I was pleased to hear that Alastair Moock had turned the devastating news that his Clio had been leukemia into a fundraising project to record an album of songs to share with kids and families "traveling similar paths," as Moock puts it.
The result -- Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids -- is now available. It features a bunch of guest artists (hi, Elizabeth Mitchell, hi, Rani Arbo!) and songs that are much more upbeat than you might expect given the topic matter.
The whole album is now available [Ed: the album has been pulled from public view for the moment]. The first couple tracks are fairly cancer-specific, but after those tracks, it's accessible to listeners regardless of medical situation (if any). You should definitely take a listen [when, er, it becomes public again].
It's been about two since my last Spotify update for new music (see January playlist here), so time to publish a new playlist. As always, it's limited in that if an artist hasn't chosen to post a song on Spotify, I can't put it on the list, nor can I feature songs from as-yet-unreleased albums. But next month's playlist is only, er, a month away.
Check out the list here or go right here if you're in Spotify.
**** New Music March 2013 (March Kindie Playlist) ****
The Not-Its! – Busy
Moona Luna – No Me Digas
Cat Doorman – Peaceful
Bill Harley & Keith Munslow – Everybody's a Baby 'bout Something
Marcy Marxer – Things Are Coming My Way
Alphabet Rockers – Shape Rap (Remix)
Jambo – Hootenanny
The Golden Records Orchestra – The Noise Song
nick cope – Crazy Crazy Dinner Lady
Like Totally! – Things That FlyThe Non-Toxic Band – Have I Got a Tail for You
Wayne Potash – Allis Chalmers
You wouldn't know it by reading this space, but there's been some holiday kids music released this Christmas/Hanukkah/winter-holiday-of-your-choosing season. Not as much as in years past, but enough stuff worth your time checking out (and my time writing up).
I'll be reviewing some albums in a subsequent post, but here are a few tracks to stuff in your kids' stockings.
Free Downloads
The Not-Its change gears and offer up a tender, acoustic... aw, who am I kidding? There are loud guitars, natch. It's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," not "Tip-Toein' Around the Christmas Tree."
OK, for those of you who really did need a slower, wintry song, try Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band's "Snow Day."
Bari Koral offers up her take on the familiar gingerbread man tale with a zippy "Gingerbread Man."
Brady Rymer is spending his holiday season "Untanglin' the Christmas Lights," though the song seems way too happy for that frustration. Available here for the price of an e-mail.
It's not quite a Christmas (or Hanukkah or even Halloween or Arbor Day) song, but it feels appropriate for the season. SteveSongs gifts you "Our World" -- just click on this link to start the download process.
Streams
My favorite kindie Christmas song this year? Groovy David's "Sorry Santa!" has a funky groove and horns. Horns, people! (Hanukkah 2013 is, like, only 11 months away, so save "The Great Dreidel Tournament" 'til then.)
Randy Kaplan delivers a nicely understated version of the classic "Frosty the Snowman." With the harmonica, it's got a touch of Dylan. (Again, Hannukah 2013 playlist early addition? "Oh Hannukah")
Todd McHatton's Christmas Songs started out as a mini-EP, then over the years became a full EP, and now at 11 songs, I think it's graduated to full album status. McHatton added another song this year, "I Think I'm a Christmas Bunny." Download the whole thing for just $1.99, and as an extra stocking stuffer download "Ooh Shiny" (appropriate for a season of gifts and ornaments) for free.
Other Stuff
The great Gustafer Yellowgold (opening for The Polyphonic Spree's 10th Anniversary Holiday Extravaganza in six cities this holiday season) has been running videos from his Year in the Day DVD all year -- check out the ever-awesome "Fa and a La":
It's a little brief, but feel to check out the Spotify Holiday Kindie Playlist 2012 (or listen here in Spotify directly)
Finally, it was a one-time-only download last year, but you can always stream Kris Kindie, a fun collection of holiday music curated by me in a mad rush last December.
Happy holidays, y'all!
Not too much kids music from New Zealand crosses my desk.
OK, no kids music from New Zealand has ever crossed my desk, at least virtually.
So let's hear it for the digital revolution, which has made it possible for a Yankee like me to listen to a song about the hairiest person in the world, followed by a semi-classical piece featuring only the word "Meep," followed by a Mantovani-esque tribute to a cat that doesn't reciprocate its owner's love in a particularly gentle manner. Yay for digital!
As a result, those of us stateside can easily give In Your Ear, the 2011 debut album from New Zealand's fleaBITE, a spin. The concept is that it's a band of fleas, but aside from a couple songs, the concept is not as developed as it was with the Wee Hairy Beasties. But it's delightfully absurd (and sometimes, on songs like "Time Goes By" and "Far Away," beautiful). If it sounds like the silliness of New Zealan's Fatcat & Fishface, that's because F&F's producer started this project as well. Give the album a listen, and decide how eager you'll be to hear their forthcoming album Circus of Fleas to be released this spring (that's this fall for those of us in the Northern hemisphere).
First I let you hear a live version of "Clap Your Hands." Then I told you about the fresh new extended version of (and briefly had a download and stream of) "Alphabet of Nations."
Zooglobble
Zooglobble helps you find kindie music -- news, videos, mp3s, reviews -- for your whole family.
DIY for the kindie world.
