Color This Album - Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more

Artist: Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more (Heckabad Records)

Album: Color This Album

Description: The spiritual sequel to the classic Bloodshot Records kiddie compilation The Bottle Let Me Down, this collection of tracks from eastern Northern California features some of the finest Americana-for-kids you'll hear this year.  If you stream just one song, make it "Take You Into My Arms."  But don't stream just one song.  (Review)

Source:  Bandcamp

 

"Bubble Wrap" - Baron Von Rumblebuss

Artist: Baron Von Rumblebuss

Song: "Bubble Wrap"

Album: N/A

Description: It's been a little while since we've heard new music from the North Carolina-based power-popper, so glad to hear that Tray Batson hasn't lost his touch.  It didn't arrive via "ups" man, but digital will do just fine.  (Except for the bubble wrap popping -- gotta have the real thing for that.)

SourceReverbnation

"Doggy in the Diner" - Jesse Olsen Bay

Artist: Jesse Olsen Bay

Song: "Doggy in the Diner"

Album: N/A

Description: A delightful little single from the Bay Area-based, er, Bay.  Animals in places they probably shouldn't be, doing things they probably shouldn't be doing, with lo-fi ("mason jar percussion") accompaniment.  (The "explicit" version is 99% a joke, by the way -- it earns it for using the word "cigarette.")  It's a name your price download, if you'd like...

Source: Bandcamp

The Deep Woods - Red Yarn

Artist: Red Yarn

Album: The Deep Woods

Description: I liked the Portland musician/puppeteer's 21st century take on folk music that way predates the 21st century a whole bunch, so, yeah, I kinda think you and your family should give it a spin.

Source: Bandcamp

Marsh Mud Madness - Roger Day

Artist: Roger Day 

Album: Marsh Mud Madness 

Description: This album started out as a DVD -- OK, it actually started out as a glimmer in somebody's eye, then a live show, and then a DVD, but now it's an album.  They're songs inspired by a visit to the University of Georgia Marine Institute.  They're pretty educational in nature, and so I'm not sure there are going to be too many families spinning the entire album on repeat (except maybe those families headed by two marine biologists), but it'll do well in classroom settings and (for some songs) scattered through mixtapes.

Source: Bandcamp 

Can You Canoe? - The Okee Dokee Brothers

ArtistThe Okee Dokee Brothers

Album: Can You Canoe? 

Description: Grammy winner.  Winner of the Fids and Kamily Award for best kids music album of 2012.  Do you need further reasons to listen if you haven't already?  Really, just go. 

Source: Soundcloud 

Up & At 'Em! - Andrew and Polly

Artist: Andrew & Polly

Album: Up & At 'Em! 

Description: Sparkly and playful acoustic pop for your 3-year-old.  This is their 2010 album, which will likely whet your family's appetite for their forthcoming follow-up.  "When You're a Dog" won the 2012 ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children's Music Award.

Source: Bandcamp 

Rocktober Halloween Party Playlist 2013

Artist: Various

Album: N/A

Description:  This is a solid set of Halloween-ish songs from clients and friends of kids music publicist Beth Blenz-ClucasTrout Fishing in America, Heidi Swedberg, Boxtop Jenkins, The Pop Ups, and more.  Including Justin Roberts' "Trick or Treat," the Halloween kindie anthem par excellence.

Source: Soundcloud