I recently had the opportunity to test out a 2nd generation Zune (launched November of 2007). Little miss pink (pictured above) traveled with me to Disney last month. When it comes to mp3 players, I like both Zune and iPod. They are only slightly different and I have my pros and cons about each player/software but if you're contemplating purchasing an mp3 player and it comes down to either of the aforementioned, you're going to get great quality either way you decide to go.
The more I browse around the Zune Marketplace and and software, the more it's growing on me. As an iPod owner, I'm so used to iTunes, so of course, this takes some getting used to. One nice option that Zune offers is their "Zune Pass", where you get unlimited music for $14.99/mo. Can't really beat that. There are also 5,000 podcasts available for download as well. I've even gotten "Social" on their website.
Overall, I think the Zune is a great product for the money and I would recommend checking one out.
Snacktime, which was released on Desperation Records just a few days ago (May 6th), consists of a mix of 24 original tracks and this is what the band has to say about them:
"Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than 2 to 1," explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. "We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them…not strictly a children’s record, but a record that children would really enjoy. Our kids are in to all kinds of music. They love the They Might Be Giants kids records, but they also love The Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Randy Newman, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day. Making the focus about what our kids like was a truly liberating process and fun for the whole band."So in closing, I urge you to pick up this album and never take it out of your cd player, iPod, Zune, or whatever type of gadget you listen to music on. Just keep playing it over and over and over! You're kids will totally dig it and I don't doubt that you will too.
"Besides, our biological clocks are ticking," jokes drummer Tyler Stewart. "The medical risks associated with releasing children's music after age 40 are well documented, and we thought it best not to put any of our lives in danger."
I leave you with 7 8 9, the first track off of Snacktime. Enjoy!
mp3: 7 8 9 - Barenaked Ladies
The folks at Name Your Tune really know their stuff. Eric, the co-founder, has been in the Canadian music biz for about 15 years. They're a family operated business, dedicated to bringing your child an introduction to music, art & creativity.
Name Your Tune CDs are made to order, can contain ANY name, and even contain multiple names. They'll basically do whatever you ask of them! Check out the playlist here. You can also add a personal message on to the CD itself. "Made Especially for You, Noel, from Mommy & Daddy", for example. They will even add special touches, like a card or gift wrapping.
There's a lot of people who love these cool Canadians-not just us. They also dedicate a portion of their earnings to Hear Here-a non-profit that helps get hearing aids to children.
Check out Name Your Tune and get a personalized CD in time for the Holidays!
Name Your Tune is participating in our Holiday Blog Hunt-sign up today, and you just might win this cool CD!
I'm so proud of the direction that Kids Music has taken lately. I'm a "kindie rock" convert. I come from the school of "music snobbery". I was once told by someone that "a lot of people" listened to some specific popular band, to which I replied, "Not people with taste" (one of my prouder moments).
Children's music must be great for me to even consider it. I have found two so far that our whole family will listen to-our first foray into the kid music world was Dan, who Hailey now CHEERS for(!) and then The Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players! Now, we proudly welcome Ellen and Matt into the "Awesome Kids Music" category!
As soon as I put this CD on for Noel, I was immediately bopping my head along to the music. I thought, "Wow, this is really good!" I was honestly a little surprised, as their look reminded me a bit of The Elephant Show, which I spent hours being tortured with as a babysitter. I was wrong...I'll admit it! Ellen and Matt's songs are kid friendly and parent friendly alike. The CD includes songs about eating your dinner, being an imaginary airplane, and hanging out with your best friend, all set to extremely palatable music that you'll find yourself, as the adult, wanting more of. The song "Best Friend" is so pretty, I actually got choked up listening to it (it's possibly due to being pregnant and full of crazed pregnant hormones). Our whole family loves this entire CD.
"Best Friends" is available from CD Baby and several download sites. Ellen and Matt have joined The Trifecta of awesome Kindie Rock! Go buy their CD and start groovin!!
New to the world of kids music, Jason Trachtenberg has been making his own solo records and performing in places like Austin, Seattle & NYC. He later got his little family of three involved, and this unique trio was formed. Check out their website and their MySpace, and become a Trachtenberg junkie too! When they make it back to the states, we'll be interviewing them and more! We'll also have an MP3 up imminently...Stay tuned!
Are you ready to get up and bang your head? Rockosaurus Rex is the perfect album to listen to if you want to teach your child the rules of rock early on in his or her life. I bet you've never heard of a rock band full of dinosaurs, have you? Well, listen up!
Their debut album, "The Big Bang", is full of high energy rock and heavy metal versions of your classic children's songs. This album will either have you flashing the "rock" sign or have you pulling out your hair and running from the room. Either way, your kids are sure to LOVE it!
Here is a sample song from the album, "Six Little Ducks". This radio-friendly, power-pop tune will have you bopping your head in no time.
mp3: Six Little Ducks - Rockosaurus Rex
"The Big Bang" is available for purchase at:
train...and it didn't suck! At all! It was good! Who was this mysterious man with the wacky hair? Since then, we've fallen in love with his music. It's catchy and fun without the sap. Dan Zanes and Friends music crosses many spectrums and generations, from old folk favorites, sea and train songs, to tunes you can dance to with your family around the kitchen! Trust me, you will ALL like Dan Zanes (even the most skeptical among you!)! All of the CDs come in board book form with colorful pictures with artwork by Donald Saaf that your little one will enjoy (and can't destroy!) and tons of songs. I am currently partial to Night Time, that includes special guest singers like Lou Reed and Aimee Mann (other CDs include Sheryl Crow, Debbie Harry, Suzanne Vega, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and many, many others). 
The thing that draws me most to Dan Zanes' is his focus on the family aspect of music. Good music is not something that just adults should listen to! For our household, it's something we intend to share together, especially while our kids our young and under our musical schooling. Dan Zanes and Friends is bringing everyone together for a truly great music experience. Go and start building your collection today!
We took our terrible two to her very first concert to see "The Terrible Twos". The band came to town supporting their brand new album, "If You Ever See an Owl". I call their sound "Indie Rock for kids and their parents". Hailey had so much fun dancing around and squealing as if she were a teenage girl. She had her socks and shoes off by the end of the show. Apparently they got in the way of her happy feet.
My husband and I have been fans of Matt Pryor's other projects for quite a while now. Matt says, "I made a record that I like that my kids like, too. We can all listen to it in the car without getting a migraine", we knew this would be right up our alley!
Here are a couple of tracks off of the new album:
mp3: Smickey - The Terrible Twos
A brief description of this song: Matt's little girl says "smickey" instead of "excuse me". Not far off from what Hailey thinks we're saying, "missy"
mp3: When I Get to Eleven - The Terrible Twos
A brief description of this song: Tim really doesn't want to turn 12 but as soon as his eleventh birthday rolls around, he realizes it's not all that bad to grow up just a little.
Hailey did very well with her first "live" concert. She was thoroughly enjoying herself and loved watching the band.
The Terrible Two's album, "If You Ever See an Owl" can be purchased at CD Baby or at Amazon.com
...But check THIS out!
We are having another CONTEST! This time, one lucky person will win a SIGNED copy of The Terrible Twos new album! The signatures are legit, I was standing right there. :) This contest will run from the 4th through the 8th with the winner being announced on Saturday the 9th.
Sign Mr. Linky below...please do not forget - when you sign Mr. Linky, be sure to type in your blog or website's URL or your email address! Otherwise, we can't include you in the contest drawing because we won't know where to contact you. If you don't have a blog, email us to enter at themums@mumsthewurd.com. The other "rule" is to leave us a comment and let us know which track you like the best!
Good luck!
Both Laura and I are music lovers and we're always looking for music that appeals to us that our toddlers would also like. I was telling Laura just recently that I wanted to make a lullaby mix for Hailey using songs from bands that I really like. She then told me about the Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions albums. She owns the Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Beach Boys
and I instantly added some of the songs from that album to my lullaby mix. I then discovered there are quite a few lullaby renditions albums out there such as, The Cure, Coldplay, The Ramones and Green Day to name just a few. Baby Rock Records uses instruments such as the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells to lull your baby into a peaceful sleep. They claim these recordings are "cherub rock for a new generation". I, for one, like the sound of that (no pun intended).
Here are a few songs to whet your appetite. Check out the Baby Rock Records website to purchase any or all of the Rockabye Baby! Lullaby albums.
(Click the little blue play button to hear each MP3)
mp3: Just Like Heaven - The Cure
I have been following a story about a little boy who was born with "spinal muscular atrophy". Callum is the son of J. Robbins, who is a producer and a former member of an underground band name Jawbox.
A 2-CD benefit compilation will be released and all proceeds will go directly to the Robbins family to help get Callum the treatment that he needs. The compilation
primarily consists of indie rock bands. Even if you don't recognize these bands, purchasing this cd (I just bought mine) is for a good cause and you might find that you even like the music!
I have one mp3 posted below, so you can hear what one of the bands on the comp sounds like. Maritime happens to be one of my favorite bands. This mp3 will only stay up for a short time so listen to it now while it's up! =)
TRACK LISTING:
1. All the Way Rider - Luxembourg
2. Arcwelder - The Hope (demo)
3. Careers In Modeling - Acorn
4. Chad - English Girl
5. Channels - Cast Away
6. E. Fowlkes Sextet - Rory Corrigan
7. Engine 88 - Get Off
8. Engine Down - Your Suit
9. Eternals - Rawar Style
10. Gordonovich - Au Revoir (Char's Garden)
11. David Grubbs - A Dream to Help Me Sleep
12. Halloween, Alaska - Halloween (remix)
13. The Icy Shores - Backseat
14. Imaginary Johnny - Little Dimes
15. Jawbreaker - I Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both (demo)
16. Kingfield - Penny
17. Bryan Knisley - Madeline
18. Joe Lally - Mistaken Identity
19. Life and Times - Catching Crumbs
20. Maritime - Tearing up the Oxygen
21. Medications - Domestic Animals
22. Bill Mike - Secure
23. The Million - Waterfront (demo)
24. Mission of Burma - N.S.U.
25. Travis Morrison - Represent
26. Drew O’Doherty - You’ll Believe A Man Can Fly
27. The Oranges Band - Operator
28. Pilot to Gunner - All the Lights
29. Roh Delikat - Ant Overthrow
30. Self-Evident - World As a Verb
31. The Spectaculars - Dopasetic
32. Story of the Sea - West Bank
For more information and to purchase the compilation, click HERE.
For more information on Callum, click HERE and HERE.
*be sure to tell them that "MumsTheWurd" sent ya!
Want your (kid) music reviewed and listed here or want to recommend an artist you've heard? Let us know!
Send us an EMAIL. If you're the artist, we'd love to have a sample to review and then we'll add you!
Baby Rock Records
---> Read our review
Dan Zanes
---> Read our review (1 of 2)
---> Read our review (2 of 2)
For Callum - Benefit Compilation
---> Read our review
Rockosaurus Rex - The Big Bang
---> Read our review
The Terrible Twos - If You Ever See an Owl
---> Read our review