-
-
Ad Space
(728 x 90)
-
-
-
Ad Space
(120 x 240)
-
-
Best children's CDs of 2009
Lunch Money Dizzy
Squirrel Mechanic, $12.
With just their second album, the South Carolina trio have mastered clever pop rock for the under-ten set. For evidence, look no further than the observational “It Only Takes One Night to Make a Balloon Your Friend," or “At the River," which draws parallels between hectic city life and a peaceful country stream. lunchmoneymusic.com
Photograph: Anne Burgess RoweDreyer Family Band Family Photograph
Mighty Toad, $15.
Twin brothers—one in California, the other in NYC—plus their wives and four young children collaborated on this audible heirloom. Adults will appreciate the debut CD’s reflections on the joyous absurdities of parenthood, while their kids will groove to the littlest Dreyers’ vocals on charming songs like “Boohoo" and “Totem Party." Dipping into R&B, ’50s soda-fountain pop, folk and other genres, Photograph embraces a diversity of styles yet never feels disjointed—just like a great, sprawling family. dreyerfamilyband.com
Photograph: Steve ParkeMilkshake Great Day
Milkshake Music, $14.
The Baltimore band delivers a set of high-energy tunes perfect for bebopping around the apartment. Crisp production adds a layer of sheen to already musically robust songs like standout track “Statue of Me," in which a kid ponders a future full of great accomplishments. milkshakemusic.com
John and Mark John and Mark’s Children’s Record
Tight Ship, $10.
John Upchurch and Mark Greenberg, both of the late Chicago lounge act the Coctails, resurface with our list’s most surprising offering: a collection of whimsical, Dylanesque tunes masquerading as 1970s Sesame Street B-sides. johnandmarkschildrensrecord.blogspot.com
Photograph: Laura Berger © 2009Laura Doherty Kids in the City
Laura Doherty Music, $14.
It’s easy to overlook music designed with toddlers in mind. After all, how many peppy songs do you want to hear about colors and animals? But Laura Doherty, of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, has taken these familiar themes to new heights by invoking the sounds, smells and sights of a soaring metropolis. Her faithful cover of blues standard “Sweet Home Chicago" rivals the original. lauradohertymusic.com
Gustafer Yellowgold Mellow Fever
Apple-Eye, $18.
On the third CD/DVD installment of the sun alien’s saga, Brooklyn-based Morgan Taylor and company—with assists from Lisa Loeb and a couple of the Wilco boys—once again dazzle tots with rich arrangements and curious, enchanting tales. gustaferyellowgold.com
Peter Himmelman My Trampoline
Minivan, $17.
The latest offering from the Grammy-nominated musician and father of four teems with intelligent, thoughtful tunes such as the Neil Diamond–like “Ten Billion Blades of Grass," and “Main Dish," which hides a be-yourself message beneath a buffet of tasty food. peterhimmelman.com
King Pajama Something Sweet
Self-released, $11.
A Brooklyn couple writes a batch of sepia-toned songs, recruits a first-rate vocalist and lands on our top-ten list. That story is what makes the kids’-music world so different from the mainstream: Underdog newbies have a shot. “Heavy Coat," the CD’s gem, is a piano ballad that’ll get kids psyched about winter’s most important accessory. kingpajama.com
Billy Kelly Thank You for Joining the Happy Club
Self-released, $12.
Billy Kelly burst onto the kiddie-music scene this past summer with his hilarious “People Really Like Milk." The witty ode to dairy is one of 11 Monkees-inspired pop goodies on Kelly’s debut. cdbaby.com/artist/billykelly
Photograph: Matt HawkRecess Monkey Field Trip
Monkey Mama, $15.
The most congenial trio in kindie rock released its fifth and, to date, finest album this year. Disco-tinged (and side-splitting) “Bubble Factory" will get your entire gang dancing, while “Sack Lunch" is sung from the point of view of a brown paper bag—pure genius. Field Trip is, hands down, our favorite CD of 2009. recessmonkeytown.comSee more...
Time Out New York Kids / Issue 50 : Dec 1–31, 2009
Leave a comment
-
-
- Subscribe now and save 72%!
- For just $9.95 a year, you'll get listings on where to eat, what to see, events to attend and why to be so happy to live in New York with your kids!
-
- Time Out New York Kids respects your privacy. We will only use your e-mail address in order to contact you regarding to your subscription and to send you our weekly e-newsletter. We will not share this information with anyone.
-
-
Ad Space
(320 x 53)
Ad Space
(300 x 250)
-
On the blog
What parents are buzzing about
-
Most viewed in Staying In
-
Ad Space
(160 x 600)
Ad Space
(160 x 600)
-
- Visit our sister sites:
- Time Out New York
- Time Out Chicago
- Time Out London
- Time Out Worldwide
TMBG "Here Comes Science" doesn't appear here for the same reason it didn't receive a Grammy nod this year - timing. It's a great album, for sure.
absolutely agree - Here Comes Science is brilliant and our kids can't get enough of it - these 10 albums are cute, but they aren't in the same league as TMBG
It's very hard to believe Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants didn't even get a nod or mention.