1. Here Come the 123s — They Might Be Giants
On their third CD for kids, TMBG continued what made their first two essential listening: a combination of hook-filled music with lyrics that will get parents and kids cracking up. Here Come the 123s is not really intended as an educational CD, and that’s good — instead, it’s pure entertainment.
TheyMightBeGiants.com
2. Family Tree — Frances England
This indie folk release was second place by the closest of margins for me; it might as well have been first. It rocks a bit more than her debut Fascinating Creatures, without giving up the immediacy and playfulness that made that release my favorite of 2006.
FrancesEngland.com
3 (tie). Pop Fly — Justin Roberts
Pop Fly was the overall winner in the Fids & Kamily poll this year, and Justin’s Meltdown came in first two years ago; clearly, he’s doing something that connects with listeners: note-perfect poppy alt-rock for kids, with humor that reaches both kids and their grownups.
JustinRobertsMusic.com
3 (tie). Rock All Day, Rock All Night — The Nields
The sisters Nields win the prize for the cleverest two-disc set idea of late: the first CD (Rock All Day) is the higher-energy dance-in-the-living room set of songs, and the second (Rock All Night) is for rocking to sleep — lullabies. Both discs are terrific, showcasing the gorgeous interplay of their voices. In a just world, "Who Are You Not To Shine?" would be a massive hit outside the kids’ music arena.
Nields.com
5. Songs With No Character — ScribbleMonster
ScribbleMonster has released three excellent rocking kids’ records, all featuring character voices and proudly wearing the influence of The Replacements and various Chicago rock brethren. Here, the band drops the voices and delivers a terrific record that really flows. From the Blur-esque "All Ready to Go" to the sweet "The Song of LIFE" to the just plain funny "No Good Can Ever Come of a Sleepover," the release pulls off its ambition to be not just tolerable to parents, but actually for them as well as the kids.
ScribbleMonster.com
6 (tie). Here Comes Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could
Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could Brady this year put together his best-yet record of friendly and loose, but never sloppy, kid roots rock. Featuring a number of performers from Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions along with Rymer’s long-standing band, it’s the perfect weekend soundtrack.
BradyRymer.com
6 (tie). Easy — Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Easy is the first genuinely great hip hop record for kids, mixing, as the press materials suggest, old school hip hop with elementary school themes. Put together by hip hop veteran Cactus (of Granola Funk Express), SA23 throws hip hop, bluegrass, funk, rock, and more into the pot, and produces a terrific way to introduce your kids to hip hop with a positive message.
SecretAgent23Skidoo.com
6 (tie). Tabby Road — Recess Monkey
Barely a half-year after the terrific and ambitious Wonderstuff, the prolific Recess Monkey released Tabby Road. This record is their most consistent, with a steady stream of perfect pop melodies over sweet poppy rock. RecessMonkeyTown.com
9 (tie). Snacktime — Barenaked Ladies
It might come as a surprise that BNL haven’t previously come out with a record for the kids. Happily, they haven’t dumbed down their often-overlooked songwriting skills for their jump into the kids’ music pool. Instead, they’ve retained the infectious poppy tunes, clever lyrics, and occasionally surprising insights. Snacktime is exactly what you’d want a BNL kids’ CD to be like.
BNLMusic.com
9 (tie). Sunny Side Up — Egg
Like the band Cake? Like your kids? Want to combine those two likes? Egg’s for you. Not that they’re a Cake knock-off; that’s just the easiest reference to make (and one the band makes themselves). There is zero condescension here; it’s just great alt-rock that happens to be for kids.
EggMusic.net
Bill Childs and his two kids produce the radio show "Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child" weekly. Check it out at SpareTheRock.com. Contact him at show@sparetherock.com.
