I guess that since technically speaking we could still call the whole H1N1 flu virus thing a near-pandemic, I'm not actually late with this. And, hey, washing your hands never goes out of style.
So, yeah, head on over to David Tobocman's site to pick up the jaunty "Brush Your Teeth" as a free download. Yeah, yeah, I know -- the flu doesn't appear to have spread due to a lack of proper dental hygeine, but the song does have a few hand-washing references. And besides, it's a cute, free song.
Of course, having started down this public health path, there is the painfully obvious (if very, very cool) video selection...
Borrow This Music (and Never Return It)
We're longtime library supporters (primarily usage, though we've been known to pay a late fine or four) here, so here's the first item this week in honor of National Library Week (April 12-18) and National Library Workers Day (April 14). To celebrate and recognize librarians everywhere Jim Cosgrove is releasing a pair of new singles – “Rockin’ The Library” and “Library Ann” (it took me a minute to get the pun there) -- AND offering free downloads of these two songs at his website from now until the end of National Library Week. The librarian in your life, particularly if they serve the children's section, will likely enjoy them, and even the non-librarians (read: your kids) will find them worth a virtual spin. To download, go to Cosgrove's store and enter the coupon code “read” at checkout.
New Music from Charity and the JAMband: "Pancakes"
A few months back, I let you know about San Francisco's Charity and the JAMband decision to start offering monthly free downloads at their website. Well, they're still going, and in case the past few slower-tempo songs were, well, not quite jam-my enough, the April Song of the Month might be up your alley. "Pancakes" is as close as the band gets to a rave-up, telling the story of how pancakes are made from the very beginning. A fun song to listen to while making pancakes, even you're assembling them from Bisquick. (And if you've missed the other songs, go back and get 'em here.)
Free Dan Zanes Greatest Hits Album
You read that right. 7 tracks (listed after the jump) available for free downloading via Amazon - all killer, no filler.
I mean, you probably have a lot of them already, but still. (And if you're missing some, some other albums are on sale in MP3 format, too.) The offer's only valid through April 21, though.
New Music from Uncle Rock
I'm a bit late with this, but I never worry too much about being late with new music, this time it's Uncle Rock, who posted some new tracks on his Myspace page. Uncle Rock is more willing to throw out his musical experiments for your enjoyment than a lot of kids artists, and here they're demos he's recording for tracks on his next album. "There Is No Away" is an atmospheric story song, "Buddy Holly Has the Hiccups" is about as silly/historical as you'd expect, an updated "Garbage Barge," and more. I'm guessing a more environmental vibe and more of a explicit tip of the cap to his musical predecessors on the next go-round.
Also, there's some more music at Uncle Rock's ReverbNation page I haven't before heard "A Very Good Question," which that poses the question "What if I woke up with purple skin?" It is indeed a very good question. And a very good song.
Draw Robbert Bobbert While You Download Robbert Bobbert
A little late in posting this, but worth it nonetheless -- Wired's Geekdad posted an mp3 of the awesome track "We R Super Heroes from Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine's upcoming self-titled debut. Trust me, folks, it's an awesome track.
If that wasn't cool enough, he also secured a video from Todd Webb, who drew the comic book accompanying the album. The video (scored to another Robbert Bobbert track) features Webb showing exactly how to draw Robbert Bobbert. In a single take. Cool.
