The Pop Ups: Appetite for Construction

Jacob Stein and Jason Rabinowitz put the cool in kid music with their latest album Appetite for Construction. After listening the first time through, it is easy to understand why they were nominated for a Grammy. These guys just love to make music for their target audience (2-6 year olds) with their silly songwriting and eclectic music style. Kids will be begging you to replay songs like The Robot Dance which has a dance trance beat or the pop song melody of All These Shapes. Whatever your music tastes are, The Pop Ups have it all with funky tunes and clever lyrics. When it is time for your little ones to go to bed, make sure you play the track Go To Sleep in which Jason and Jacob serenade them on their way to dreamland.

The Not Its: Raise Your Hand

This Seattle based punk rock kindie band is for families who have an edge. Sarah, Danny, Tom and Jennie know how to lay it down. A track like Motorcycle Mom will get your engine revving and this album will arm you with the kinds of anthems that will get you noticed in the drop off and pick up line at school.  You can rock out with other tracks like Raise Your Hand and Waiting List or mix it up with sweet melodic songs like Love is Love. Head over to Hey 80’s for a nostalgic tribute to all those cool things you want your kids to know about you growing up.

Recess Monkey: Wired

Recess Monkey’s Wired is full of fun rock genres like punk and ska.  If your kids love LEGO, they will love the song Brick by Brick. Favorite tracks include Shutterbug which describes a girl’s love for her dad’s camera to Wired which matches the pace of the never-tired children we’re carting everywhere. Recess Monkey’s album is like a vaudeville rock show filled with high energy and catchy lyrics you can belt out on the beltway.

Lolly and YoYo: An Adventurous Day

Lolly Hopwood and Yo Yo (Yvonne) Kusters are a duo combining kindie rock with activity and dance that gets children moving and exercising.  Lolly has a voice like Sarah McLachlan, the kind you sort of just get lost in; a voice that transports you to a dreamy wonderland. Pair that with YoYo's high energy and infectious smile and you can see why their harmony is a match made in heaven. Hey Alligator is done in echo style but you may feel like you are transported to New Orleans with the rich jazzy horns of this song. Tracks like Glow in the Dark will mesmerize you with the sweet simplicity and dazzling imagery. You may want to close your eyes as you can almost see it right in front of you, just don't do it in the car! My favorite track is I Don't Want To Go Sleep because it really sums up what a day with kids is all about. Lolly and YoYo's vocals in this song remind me of The Sundays. You can see them perform for free at Kids Klub events in many Philadelphia area malls.

Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could: Just Say Hi!

Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could is a two time Grammy nominated children’s band. Brady has an awesome voice and the range of his sound is incredible from the variety of instruments he uses in rollicking rock n' roll style that is sure to get your kids moving. Guest vocalists include Elizabeth Mitchell, Laurie Berkner and members of Recess Monkey. Our favorite tracks are Get This Party Started and Ice Cream Girl, a sweet story about how Brady met his wife.

The Okee Dokee Brothers: Through The Woods

Following up their Grammy award winning Can You Canoe? album, The Okee Dokee Brothers introduce their Grammy nominated second album, Through The Woods, created and inspired by their month-long trek on the Appalachian Trail. Their record invites listeners along for an adventure in Mother Nature capturing the spirit of folk songs and mountain music. Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing will have you tapping your feet and wishing you had a washboard to play along. The Okee Dokee Brothers perform in Philadelphia in August. Check back on our calendar as details are coming soon.

Agent 23 Skidoo: The Perfect Quirk

Since hearing Skidoo’s first popular track Family Tree on Kid’s Place Live on XM, I knew that Agent 23 Skidoo was special. It’s no wonder this record was nominated for a Grammy. Branded as Kid Hop, Skidoo raps along with his daughter, Saki, aka MC Fireworks, with kid-friendly hip hop that still can be car rattling but without all the profanity. Tracks on The Perfect Quirk celebrate the individuality and diversity of kids and support the message that children should embrace rather than shy away from who they are. Imaginary Friend lays down a beat that is sick in a good way and You’re It is a positive reminder of why you’ll want to play this album over and over again.

Keith Munslow: Tiny Destroyer

My kids used to be terrified of Keith Munslow’s Leftovers song when they first heard it on the radio so much so that I had to turn the radio off until it was over.  It’s probably because Keith has an ability to tell a story so effectively through his songwriting that you may think he is channeling a 4 year old. Munslow’s music style is as eclectic as the songs he writes and there is something for everyone on Tiny Destroyer. No Munslow album would be complete without an accordion song such as Coffee Breath and Magic Bike will take you back to the time spent on your childhood bicycle and the feeling of being worry-free.

These albums will significantly level up your car's music selection. You can see The Not Its and The Pop Ups with Joanie Leeds and the Night Lights right here in Philadelphia at the Kid’s Corner Music Festival at The World Café Live March 22^nd . Lolly and Yo Yo appear at mall Kids Klub events and have shows around the city.