While the posting date on this says 2012, I have to tell you the truth. I am totally back-dating this thing. I am writing this at the end of October 2013 in preparation of writing my Top 10 lists for 2013.
You see, my secret shame is that I never published my list(s) of my favorite kids music of 2012.
Oh, the shame, it burns...
Now, it's not like I didn't seriously think about this subject last year. Besides co-coordinating the 2012 Fids and Kamily Awards, I also voted in them, and the top 10 albums below reflect my vote in the awards. But I do receive far more great kids music than I can fit into my ten-slot F&K ballot, so this is my opportunity to give some shout-outs to some artists. Looking at this list, there are easily 6 or 7 of those albums on the list from #s 11 through 25 that could easily be swapped into the Top 10 list.
So in order not to make this already more embarrassing or major-movie-romantic-comedy-like, without further ado (or, frankly, comment), here are my lists of the best (or at least favorite) in kids music, circa 2012. (If you define, as I do, 2012 as being Nov. 1, 2011 through Oct. 31, 2012.)
Top Kids Music Albums
1. The Okee Dokee Brothers - Can You Canoe?
2. Elizabeth Mitchell - Blue Clouds
3. The Board of Education - Binary
4. Dog on Fleas - Invisible Friends
5. Johnny Bregar - My Neighborhood
6. Lunch Money - Spicy Kid
7. Recess Monkey - In Tents
8. Various Artists - Science Fair
9. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Make Believers
10. Various Artists (Matt Wilson) - WeBop: A Family Jazz Party
Albums 11-25 (unranked, shown in alphabetical order)
Caspar Babypants - Hot Dog!
Coal Train Railroad - Swings!
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - A Potluck
Duke Otherwise - Creepy Crawly Love
Elska - Middle of Nowhere
Jennifer Gasoi - Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well
Jumping Through Hoops - Rockin' to the Fiddle
Randy Kaplan - Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie
Kori Pop - Songs for Little Bean
Elizabeth Mitchell - Little Seed
Elena Moon Park - Rabbit Days & Dumplings
The Pop Ups - Radio Jungle
Renee & Jeremy - A Little Love
They Might Be Giants - No! (Deluxe Reissue)
Laura Veirs - Tumble Bee
A special shout-out here to Adventures of Chicken Weebus , which isn't really kids music so I didn't really consider it for this list, but based on pure entertainment value definitely ranks in our Top 25.
Top Kids Music Debut Albums (listed alphabetically)
Duke Otherwise - Creepy Crawly Love
Elska - Middle of Nowhere
Kepi Ghoulie - Kepi for Kids
Jumping Through Hoops - Rockin' to the Fiddle
Kori Pop - Songs for Little Bean
Alison Faith Levy - World of Wonder (I know, not quite fair given her history with the Sippy Cups, but still...)
Elena Moon Park - Rabbit Days & Dumplings
Play Date - Imagination
Laura Veirs - Tumble Bee
Various Artists (Matt Wilson) - WeBop: A Family Jazz Party
