Video: "What Kind of Fruit?" - Dean Jones (World Premiere!)

In My Dreams cover art by Giselle Potter

Yay!  New music from Dean Jones!  Nothing like getting e-mail which says, "hey! new music in a month!"  Which is essentially how I learned about Jones' forthcoming album In My Dreams.  The latest album from the producer who seems to produce about half of every kindie album these days arrives a scant 4 weeks from now on July 1, and to kick things off we've got a laid-back video featuring Jones in a banana suit.  (Now there's a sentence I feel confident has never been written in the entire history of the world up 'til now.)  Directed by Ratboy Jr.'s Tim Sutton, the video is gently goofy and questioning and will probably lead to some requests for some apples, grapes, or bananas.  Enjoy this world premiere!

Dean Jones - "In My Dreams" [YouTube]

Review: Odds & Ends - Andrew & Polly

Andrew & Polly - Odds & Ends album cover

Andrew & Polly - Odds & Ends album cover

Sometimes album titles don't signify much, but in the case of the brand-new album from Los Angeles-based duo Andrew & Polly, I think it's 100% on point.

Just like the random collection of stuff on the shelf on the album cover art, the tracks here are an assortment of tiny treasures and tracks with less heft.  Unlike many albums, in an interview with them, the duo noted that the album reflects a collection of songs they've written and recorded over time.  Sometimes the results are magical -- "Little Bitta You," a previously-released single, is a zippy and sweet folk-pop song, for example.  And their new song "Grapes" is a strong contender for catchiest kindie track of the year, with a singalong chorus filled with "la la las."

At other points, it does feel like one of those "B-Side" collections that your favorite power-pop band might have released after fifteen years together -- your XTCs, your Fountains of Wayne. There are three covers ("Forever Young," "Here Comes the Sun," and my favorite of the three, "Ghostbusters"), for example plus "Critters," their non-religious take on Bill Staines' classic "All's God's Critters" ("got a place in the choir / some sing low / some sing higher...").

Andrew & Polly have been devoting a lot of attention to their podcast for kids Ear Snacks, and some tracks feel very much like excerpts like that.  "Ghostbusters," with a lot of kid-interaction, was sort of a prototype for the podcast, while "Fruitphabet" is a playful thing, more sound-and-word-play than pop song.  At 28 minutes in length, the album's brevity -- it's barely more than an EP -- is one more thing that makes me think of this as a "B-side" collection.

The album is most appropriate for kids ages 3 through 6, and I should make clear that my middle-aged perspective on what an album "is" (or isn't) won't matter to the kids, who will sometimes groove and other times laugh to the folky, smart, and weird stuff on Odds & Ends.  Ear Snacks is a genuinely original podcast as well.  Andrew & Polly can write such sharp music, that I'm very much looking forward to the next set of songs from the duo, which they say will be a coherent concept album.  In the meantime, there are some tiny treasures on this album, and those will do just fine.  Recommended.

Note: I was given a copy of the album for possible review.

Itty-Bitty Review: We All Shine - Play Date

Play Date We All Shine album cover

Play Date We All Shine album cover

For whatever reason, kindie pop-punk has tended not to be nearly as boundary-pushing as its adult counterpart.  I'm not expecting every song to be about challenging or countercultural notions, but more of this subgenre covers familiar topics than I'd expect.

Play Date, the duo of Greg Attonito and Shanti Wintergate, is no different.  On their new album We All Shine, they tackle a song about colors (er, "Colors") and four variations of public service announcements for "Fruits & Vegetables."  The musical packaging is novel (it's a PSA as delivered by circus barker), but the notions are common fare.  More intriguing to me, then, are the songs that break those familiar molds to varying degrees.  "Ninja Pajamas" is about, well, stealthy pajamas, but brings in Minneapolis hip-hop artist P.O.S to rap some of the lyrics.  "Cardboard Box" rocks hardest, and follow the "show, don't tell" dictum -- by listing all the different things the box can be, it more effectively demonstrates the power of imagination.  And sometimes all you need is a simple story song, like the grunge-pop of "Stevie the Fox," which kicks off the album.

The 41-minute album will have most appeal to kids ages 3 through 7.  We All Shine fits the kindie pop-punk mold quite nicely, with an ear for crunchy melody.  Come for the songs about fruits and vegetables, stay for the songs about ninja pajamas.

Note: I received a copy of the album for possible review.