Music Reviews

By Christopher Healy

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Snacktime
Snacktime
Barenaked Ladies,
$14

They may have one of the more juvenile names in rock-and-roll, but the men from Barenaked Ladies are all grown up. In fact, they're all daddies now (with 11 children among them), and their latest CD reflects the blending of their work and home lives. Of course, BNL's bouncy, melodic adult music didn't need much tweaking to make the transformation to kid-friendly. And you can expect the same signature style: flowing lines, densely packed with clever, unexpected lyrics ("When I make mistakes/I use a lot of salt/'Cause salt makes m'steaks taste great"). The song topics are often even sillier than the band's norm—for example, "A Word for That," which is about uvulas—but that just helps Barenaked Ladies demonstrate that dancing and laughing can, and perhaps should, occur simultaneously. —Ages 2 and up

Lullabies & Wildflowers
Lullabies & Wildflowers
Melissa Errico,
$16

The Tony-nominated chanteuse (and mom of one) focuses her formidable talents on lulling young audiences to sleep, with songs by Gershwin, Tom Petty, and others.—Ages up to 4

I'm Growing
I'm Growing
Gunnar Madsen,
$15

No one sounds anything like Madsen, whose imaginative harmonies and a cappella arrangements will expand your idea of kids' music.
—Ages 2 to 9

If You Ever See an Owl?
If You Ever See an Owl?
The Terrible Twos,
$14

Whether the lyrics from this Kansas group are aiming for giggles or speaking to a child's worldview, the tunes will get everyone humming.—Ages 2 to 9

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