All I Do Is Hop

All I Do Is Hop. Performed by Grin Brigade. CD. Approx. 1 hour, 17 min. Song Wizard Records. 2019. $14.98.

Pre-S –  Gr 4

This primarily lively, high energy album features the Grin Brigade, made up of Dave Kinnoin, Randy Sharp, Red Grammar, Jimmy Hammer, Ellie Baer, Melanie Browoleit, Carly Riggs, Leslie Smith, and Oliver Kinnoin. The 29 original songs are performed in a variety of musical styles, including kid funk, rap, blues, pop, rock, country, anthem, ballad, calypso, and jazz. The excellent backup musicians perform on different instruments on each song, which include guitars, violin, bass, keyboards clarinet, pennywhistle, harmonica, and drums. Every child should be taught the concepts in “I Don’t Think So,” which teaches them two important things: to be aware of false advertising, and to never give out personal information over the phone or online. The “Dog Alphabet Song” features a variety of breeds, including Collie, Harrier, Mexican Hairless, Japanese Chin, Vizsla and more. The “Seaweed Café” is an underwater establishment serving bubble kelp sodas and algae hors d’oeuvres. “Mi Pelota” teaches a few Spanish words to English speakers. One traveling family goes “Bouncin’ on the Bumps” by taking the scenic route instead of the highway. “I Think I Can” encourages listeners to try things they haven’t done before. “Otter Facts” celebrates river otters—their appearance and activities. One child has a whole stack of “Night Lights” to choose from. Listeners are encouraged to “Look for the Helpers” when they are scared, sad, or lonely. One hyper-active child is always on the “Go, Go, Go.” The remaining songs include “All I Do Is Hop,” “Buttons,” “Just Like Magic,” “One Fuzzy Caterpillar” (counting song), “All Mixed Up” (diversity), “Dr. Ticklebone,” “High-Paying Job,” “Tiptoe” (encourages participatory movement), “The Good Life,” “Halloween Party Tonight” (in a haunted mansion), “What Can’t Be,” “Gotta Be Mine,” “Every Time We Hear a Sound,” “Keep on Shining” (following dreams), “Tookie, Tookie,” “Safe Here,” “Locomotivation,” “Let My Colors Flow,” and “Cool As a Cucumber.” This wonderful album is partly fun, partly silly, and partly informational.

Website: www.songwizard.com/grinbrigade

Which One Am I?

Which One Am I? Performed by Howie D. CD. Approx. 38 min. Produced by Tor Hyams. 2019. $15.00.

K – Gr 5

Howie Dorough, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys, launches his first album of 12 original songs for children, inspired by his own sons. Now, as a child of the 1960s, I was too old to take any notice of the “boy bands” that flourished in the 1990s. So, I was pleasantly surprised by this excellent album, which features a variety of musical styles: rock, rap, doo wop, reggae, Motown, tango, blues, Latin, and pop, and Howie handles each style with aplomb. The backup musicians perform beautifully on guitars, bass, piano, drums, and percussion. The title song “Which One Am I” introduces the members of Backstreet Boys. In “Back in the Day,” Howie shares tidbits about his childhood in Orlando, Florida. Not finding any in his room, Howie admits that the only monsters are the “Monsters in My Head.” Howie showcases his amazing falsetto as he describes being “Shy.” He also had “Worry” about many things, such as doctor’s visits, the playground and the lunchroom. He must learn to come out from “Pollyanna’s Shadow,” his older sister. In the “School Bell Tango,” Howie admits how much he disliked school (except for recess). Because he’s too short for the rides at the amusement park, or can’t reach the shelf for a snack, Howie sings the “Small Time Blues.” He also performs a great cover of “Lean on Me.” The other songs include “No Hablo Español,” and “The Me I’m Meant to Be.” This fun, toe-tapping album is due to be turned into a musical theater production in 2020.
Website: www.howied.net 

The Robot EP

The Robot EP. Performed by Ants Ants Ants. CD. Approx. 11 min. Pinwheel Records. 2019. Price: $4.99.

PreS – Gr 3

This is probably the shortest (in time) album I have ever reviewed. Johnny Clay, Dave Gulick, and Nat Johnson comprise the band and wrote the 4 original songs in pop rock musical style. The band and their guest musicians give excellent performances on guitar, piano, bass, synthesizer, and percussion. The vocalists harmonize beautifully together. The four songs together tell a short story about a robot’s day. In “Robot, Robot,” the narrator is trying to wake up the robot. “Dance, Robot, Dance” explains that the robot was sleeping because the night before it danced until it ran its battery down. “The Robot Suite” tells listeners that the robot dreams about computers, circuits, cables, dancing, and more. The bridge of the song showcases the robot as a Disco King. “Robot Reprise” repeats parts of the first and second songs. The songs also include lots of robotic sound effects. This is a fun, lively, and energetic album for young robot enthusiasts.  
Website: www.antsantsants.com