Love, Cake & Monsters - Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Artist:  Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Album:  Love, Cake & Monsters

Age Range:  4 to 7

Description:  On their fourth album, the New York duo don't vary much the formula from their first three albums -- shiny pop (/ska/alt-rock) with the occasional boost of self-esteem mixed in with some self-deprecating humor -- but it's a formula that works well for them.  They've got themselves a brand new song about being at a rock show ("Come On Out"), plus songs about hugging ("Hug It Out") and cooling off periods ("Take It On Over (Time Out)").  They also include their fancy (with a string orchestra and everything) not-too-spooky Halloween song, er, "Halloween" and the Beatlesque "Comet Pinky's Love Cake"  The album features 3 skit tracks, and while I am not a big skit fan, in this case the skits are somewhat amusing, don't overwhelm the music (with the last skit at the very end for easy skipping if necessary), and fit in with their overall approach to the music.

You can stream the album here.  I don't think the latest album will make any converts if your family has previously not gone for PKRS, but old fans should eat this up, and those families new to kids music looking for some attitude, empowerment, and occasional silliness will find this appealing.  Recommended.

The Colored Pencil Factory - Astrograss

Artist: Astrograss 

Album: The Colored Pencil Factory

Age Range: 3 through 8

Description: There's not a lot of bluegrass available for kids, but Brooklyn-based band Astrograss flies the newgrass flag proudly.  There are few traditional songs on the album ("Shortenin' Bread" and "Sail Away Ladies," to name a couple), but for the most part they're originals.  Some are more traditional in their approach to their subject matter ("Playground"), but more of the originals are songs that meander into and out of wild Shel Silverstein-inspired territory (a sick kid wishing for a "Brand New Nose," dreaming of life in colors from "The Colored Pencil Factory").  Although the subjects are geared toward kids, the solos are every bit as complex as what you'd hear on albums targeted at adults.

The 49-minute album is most appropriate for kids ages 5 through 9.    Recommended for bluegrass fans and for families looking for some variety in their daily diet of 3-minute kid-friendly pop-rock songs.

Shine and the Moonbeams - Shine and the Moonbeams

Artist: Shine and the Moonbeams

 Album: Shine and the Moonbeams

Age Range : 4 through 10

Description: Most of what I wanted to say about the long-awaited debut album from the New York City band I said in my NPR review of the album, but I wanted reemphasize how happy that Shawana Kemp finally got her album out into the world.  While it's not really the first R&B and soul album in kids music, it's the first that got the sometimes insular "kids music world" excited.  And while it's the songs that deal with real-life social issues like bullying and self-respect that could give this album a long shelf life with schools and families, I'm also looking forward to sillier, groovier, jazzier songs along the lines of "Do You Ever Stop" and "Shake for Eight."  Lots of fun, lets hope the success of this one makes the follow-up come out faster.  Definitely recommended.

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

Invisible Friends - Dog on Fleas

Artist: Dog on Fleas

Album: Invisible Friends

Age Range: 3 and up

Description: "Like a preschool collage, Invisible Friends mixes stuff together that adults have long stopped mixing together but in spite of that (or possibly because of it) produces art.  Highly recommended." / Full review / Listen

Can't Wait - Grenadilla

Artist: Grenadilla

Album: Can't Wait

Age Range: 3-7

Review: A sunny, danceable album from Debbie Lan and her New York band.  The band plays kwela-inflected music -- for those of you who don't know what "kwela" music is (and, hey, I didn't, either) Wikipedia suggests it's a "happy, often pennywhistle-based, street music from southern Africa with jazzy underpinnings and a distinctive, skiffle-like beat." Based on the sounds on Can't Wait, the band's second album, that's about right.  There aren't lesson songs or slice-of-life stories here -- just odes to being happy, walking around, and playing or singing, all with a smile on one's face.  Gentle and often retro-sounding, yes, but also with a bit of a groove.  Dog on Fleas' Dean Jones produces his former bandmate Lan with his typical organic touch, letting the six voices of the band take center stage.  With a sound unlike just about any other band, Grenadilla targets a niche in the kids music world and hits it.  Recommended. / Listen