SOUNDTRACK: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS-“Robot Parade” (2002).
They Might be Giants first children’s album, No! featured a ton of great songs. TMBG were practically writing for kids anyhow, so they just removed some of their songs of love and death and replaced them with songs of pre-teen angst. The title song “No!” is a wonderful look at life as a child. But there is something so wonderfully absurd (but possibly not for kids) about “Robot Parade.”
It starts out with a funky distorted keyboard. Which gives way to a slinky keyboard melody.
The lyrics are so simple and so joyful (despite the robotic singing style): “In a future time/Children will work together/To build a giant cyborg. Robot Parade, Robot Parade…robots obey what the children say” To me this song exemplifies the childish fantasies that TMBG can present. And even though the song is less than 90 seconds long and it doesn’t do a whole lot (listening to it again now, I was sure there was more to it), it has left a wonderful impression on me.
And I’m sure that my children, who love putting pots on their heads and saying “I am a Robot” will one day be singing, “Robots obey what the children say.”
[READ: December 2011] Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem
I picked up this book on a whim when I saw the title at the library. I mean, who wouldn’t love a monkey with a tool belt? The art is weirdly wonderful, but it’s the story itself that was so intriguing.
First off, the monkey, the one with the tool belt, has the best name in all of children’s picture bookdom: Chico Bon Bon. How great is that? So great I must say it again. Chico Bon Bon.
The real selling point (literally selling point, because I bought this for my kids for Christmas) is that there’s an elephant in the book named Clark (if you haven’t been paying attention, my son’s name is Clark. And you NEVER see his name in anything). So how cool to have it as a character in a book series? And Clark’s initial appearance is awesome!
But so, if you don’t know anyone named Clark (or Chico Bon Bon) why should you read it? (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: CUPPA JOE-Busy Work EP (1993).
This EP was one of the first releases on the Dromedary label. It contains 3 songs. Whenever I think of cuppa joe, I think of them being a somewhat lightweight band; charming and fun, but lightweight.
And I think most of this is due to the lead singer’s voice. It’s quite delicate and veers towards, but never quite reaches whiny territory. Comparisons to They Might Be Giants are not unfounded.
SOUNDTRACK: Future Soundtrack for America (2004).
This CD came with the McSweeney’s Future Dictionary for America. It was released on Barsuk Records (home of Death Cab for Cutie and other great bands) and it was compiled by Spike Jonze and one of the Johns from They Might Be Giants.
SOUNDTRACK: McSweeney’s #6 comes with a CD.
Most of the music on the CD is performed by They Might Be Giants (a rather perfect fit for McSweeney’s). Some other musicians who appear are: M. Doughty, Philip Glass, Michael Meredith. Roger Greenawalt & S.E. Willis
SOUNDTRACK: ONE RING ZERO-As Smart as We Are (2004).
SOUNDTRACK: RALPH’S WORLD-Peggy’s Pie Parlor (2003).
When my son Clark was born, Sarah and I made a conscious effort to find music for him (really for us) that wasn’t, well, Raffi. Not that there’s anything wrong with Raffi per se, but well, he’s kind of annoying.
SOUNDTRACK: NIRVANA: With the Lights Out (2004).
It probably sounds like an urban myth to say that Nirvana was a catalyst for new music way back then. But I can recall when “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was first on the radio, and I was living in a region of the country (hey Office fans, it was Scranton, PA) that was devoid of anything interesting on the radio; it was like a flash of light: there is interesting music out there, somewhere. So, yup, Nirvana was a great moment for me.
I Just Read About That... 