"Symmetry" - The Digits

Artist: The Digits

Song: "Symmetry"

Album: Homework Hotline 

Description:  How many power ballads do you get to hear concerning the geometric principle of symmetry?  Probably pretty few.  How many power ballads do you get to hear concerning the geometric principle of symmetry that are prompted by Jonathan Coulton ?  None, I would wager to say, but The Digits (a webseries and app) are here for you, friend.

Source: YouTube 

"In the Group" - Tom Chapin

Artist: Tom Chapin 

Song: "In the Group" 

Album:  The Incredible Flexible You

Description:  My preferences run pretty far from the more explicitly educational kids music, and so this song, from an album expressly designed as part of a curriculum to encourage "social thinking," is not in my wheelhouse.  But others may think it useful, and I do love the animation from animator Steven Mertens.

Source: YouTube 

"Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" - Trout Fishing in America

Artist: Trout Fishing in America

Song: "Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" 

Album: Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers 

Description: This video is more calm than the lyrical flips from Ezra and Keith.  Features the by-now very distinctive artwork from Beans Barton along with a banjo breakdown I just love. 

Source: YouTube 

"Dance of the Rubber Chickens" - Sandbox

Artist: Sandbox 

Song: "Dance of the Rubber Chickens" 

Album:  Rubber Chicken Rock

Description:  This is a novelty song (in more ways than one).

But, oh, what a novelty song. 

Source: YouTube 

"Sunshine Through My Window" - Play Date

Artist: Play Date 

Song: "Sunshine Through My Window" 

Album: Imagination 

Description: That illustrated elephant on the cover of the band's debut album?  He's real and he's on vacation. 

Source: YouTube 

"Banana Man" - Glen Hansard

Artist: Glen Hansard

Song: "Banana Man" 

Album: N/A

Description:  This is a video Hansard recorded for the forthcoming Adventure Sandwich TV show (yes, I was a Kickstarter backer).  Yes, it's a song about bananas.  And, of course, being Hansard, it sounds great, but it's the puppets that make it re-watchable.

Source: YouTube 

"Why Is the Sky Blue?" - Nick Cope

Artist: Nick Cope 

Song: "Why Is the Sky Blue?" 

Album: Why Is the Sky Blue? 

Description: The English musician Nick Cope and his son Burt have made quite a few videos together.  Their new one, for the title track to Nick's third album for families, is from the perspective a kid who asks a lot of (accentuated, well-rhymed) questions, and so the Copes' lo-fi animation style fits perfectly.

Source: YouTube