Sampler - Chris Molla

Artist: Chris Molla 

Album: N/A (song sampler) 

Description: Chris Molla might be best known as being a co-founder of Camper Van Beethoven, but he's also been making music for kids and leading classes for a good part of the past 15 years.  He released Roll Along  in 1999, Jump Up  in 2004, and a collection of music from his classes in 2011.  He's now working on some new music (woot!) but in the meantime you can listen to selected tracks from all 3 albums.  The sounds range from bluegrass to Americana to roots rock -- worth your time checking out.

Source: Soundcloud 

"I'm Not Sleeping In ('Cuz It's Saturday)" - The Verve Pipe

Artist:  The Verve Pipe

Song:  "I'm Not Sleeping In ('Cuz It's Saturday)"

Album:  Are We There Yet?

Description:  Horn-accented pop, I'm not sleeping in because I've got this very peppy song running through my brain.  (Also: good to have the Verve Pipe back!)

Source: Soundcloud 

Imagination - Play Date

Artist: Play Date

Album: Imagination 

Description: Pop and punk, swirled together.  The duo of Greg Attonito from the Bouncing Souls and his wife, Shanti Wintergate, has a less aggressive sound than the Bouncing Souls work, but there's probably still a pogo or two to be had.  (Original NPR review)

Source: Bandcamp 

Worst Superpower Ever - The Doubleclicks

Artist: The Doubleclicks 

Album: Worst Superpower Ever 

Description:  Delightfully nerdy songs from the the guitar-and-cello sister-duo from Portland, Oregon.  Some of the songs have appeared on prior albums for adults, but this album, the duo's first for kids, will appeal to your geeky, slightly older kid.  I'd've thought this was awesome when I was 11.  I still think it's fun.

Source:  Bandcamp

Move Like An Animal - Birdie's Playhouse

Artist: Birdie's Playhouse 

Album: Move Like An Animal

Description:  Latin-inflected grooves backing up stories about the natural world.  If you listen to just one song, make it "Snail Cha Cha," featuring some kindie guest stars.  Oh, and if you'd rather go all the way in listening in Spanish, the Los Angeles-based Birdie has you covered with Muévete Como Los Animales.

Source: Bandcamp 

Always Be a Unicorn - Helen Austin

Artist: Helen Austin 

Album: Always Be a Unicorn 

Description:  As I said in my album review of the kids music debut from the British Columbia-based songwriter, "it's gentle but occasionally exuberant and anchored by Austin's warm songwriting and clear, distinctive voice."

Source:  Bandcamp

Deep Sea Diver - Recess Monkey

Artist:  Recess Monkey

Album:  Deep Sea Diver

Description:   All the qualities that have endeared Recess Monkey to thousands of families nationally from their Pacific Northwest perch are in ample display on their ninth album - humor (the wry look at those scavenging birds in the mellow Beatles-esque "Seagull" or the punny title of "Choral Reef"), kid-focused topics (disco-dancing with "Walkie Talkies" and complaining about being short in "Shrimp"), and, yes, hooks galore. (Full review)

Source: Bandcamp 

Smile - Mike Park

Artist:  Mike Park

Album:  Smile

Description:  One of my favorite debut kids music albums of 2011, Smile  is the first effort at kids music from punk music stalwart Park targeted right at the preschool set.  If you're not a punk music fan, don't be put off by the phrase "punk music stalwart," it's really for all ears.

Source: Bandcamp