Blogcritics Category: Music: Children

Music Review: Raffi - Songs of Our World

Jennifer Bogart — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 10:38:19 EST

If your family isn't aligned with Raffi's driving philosophies, you may want to skip this release.
Raffi is one of the world’s most beloved children’s entertainers. For over 30 years he has been penning songs, recording albums and performing live for little ones everywhere, encouraging them to help him fix that little green wagon. Like many in my generation, I grew up listening to him and am eager to share his unique talent with my...

Retro Redux: From Summer Camp To Pop Music Stardom

Big Geez — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:41:40 EST

Most kids come home from summer camp with a bag of dirty clothes and a case of poison ivy.
One of the quirkiest musical stories of the 1950s had to be that of the singing sisters known as Patience and Prudence. Their first two recordings reached hit status in the same year and that made them pretty special, but the really surprising part is that the young ladies were only 14 and 11 years old. The girls were the daughters of a...

Music Review: Alvin & the Chipmunks - Undeniable

Michael Pascua — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 14:40:58 EST

Fifty year old Chipmunks are back with more renditions of classic songs and several originals.
I wonder if artists like Blink-182 and Bon Jovi regret allowing a trio of rodents sing their music. Surprisingly Alvin and the Chipmunks’ latest album Undeniable gives a rousing children-friendly version of several classics and introduces four original tracks. It’s nice to see a childhood staple still maintain its relevance for the...

Music Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks - Undeniable

The Masked Movie Snobs — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:03:37 EST

Lacks the skill and most of all lacks the heart of the old Chipmunks recordings.
Written by El Puerquito MagnificoAfter a bit of a hiatus, The Chipmunks have returned in a big way. Last year saw the little guys finally make their way to the big screen for their movie debut. This was quickly followed by a return to the studio to record Undeniable. Teaming once again with longtime producer (and adopted father) Dave Seville,...

Music Review: Varius Artists - Hello Kitty Hello World

Michael Pascua — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:19:49 EST

Original music inspired by the Hello Kitty Franchise.
Hello Kitty wants to be your BFF. Hello Kitty Hello World is the first full-length Hello Kitty album to ever be released. Although Hello Kitty doesn't sing the songs herself, Sanrio hand picked the writers and performers to insure a high quality level. The album carefully manages to walk the thin line of maintaining the Hello Kitty franchise...

Music Review: Beethoven's Wig - Beethoven's Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies

Jennifer Bogart — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 08:44:24 EST

One part toe-tapping classical music, one part apt and entertaining original lyrics = Beethoven's Wig, an unforgettable introduction to great works of music for children.
My childhood memories are populated with a dense musical landscape. I recall twirling around the living room floor to the strains of Boy George, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov “Flight of the Bumblebee”. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is my memories of dancing to classical music that evoke a feeling of true joy, trumping...

Music Review: Bob Dylan - Under The Red Sky

David Bowling — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:09:38 EDT

Bob Dylan: Chapter 27.
I have now listened to Under A Red Sky four times in the last two days and frankly I don’t get it. I also have the feeling that this may have been Dylan’s intent. On the surface it appears to be a children’s album of nonsensical nursery rhymes or possibly The Brothers Grimm on crack. Dylan had been busy working on the Traveling...

DVD Review: Camp Rock - Extended Rock Star Edition

Russ Evenhuis — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:31:28 EDT

Disney�s Camp Rock: Extended Rock Star Edition picks up the musical kid�s movie trophy as the next hot thing.
If you’ve seen Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls, or High School Musical, there is nothing new to see in Camp Rock. If you have seen those though, you most likely have children who are the prime target audience for Camp Rock and you already know it is coming out with a new Extended Rock Star Edition. It’s been in all the commercials. I...

Music Review: Sandra Boynton - Blue Moo

James A. Gardner — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:31:56 EDT

The best "oldies" collection you've never heard.
Even those who don’t recognize the name, Sandra Boynton, have probably seen her ‎work. During a career in the greeting card industry, her designs sold an estimated 200 ‎million copies. Parents of pre-teen children are likely familiar with Boynton’s books, ‎which have sold in the millions of copies. And the most discerning of...

Music Review: Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime

Alexandria Jackson — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:45:39 EDT

A CD that you could play for your kids on long car trips and you could all enjoy the sound that is pure BNL.
Parents! There is finally a children's CD that does not want to make you pull your hair out after five minutes!Barenaked Ladies have put together a 24-track CD that will keep you and your children entertained, if only to see what they are going to sing next. They begin with "7 8 9," a song composed around the riddle, "Why is 6...