Best Kids' Music of 2008
If you've missed out on all of the new children's music of the year and need a quick run-down of the best, then you've come to the right place.
By Christopher Healy
- Jerzy the Giant
- The Terrible Twos, $14
A wonderful surprise, this sophomore disc from the Terrible Twos (whose first album was good but not best-of-year-good) exemplifies everything that makes today's kid-music scene so fantastically cool. It's a collection of great songs written for children that kids will love—but that would also still be great songs if you removed children from the equation.—Ages 3 to 8
- Family Tree
- Frances England, $15
Remaining one sophisticated step above her kid-pop compatriots, England delivers her second phenomenal album in a row (this one with a little more electricity added to her prior acoustic vibe). Here's hoping she's already in the studio working on number three.—Ages 2 to 8
- Easy
- Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, $19
With his clever lyrics and smooth, danceable beats, 23 Skidoo set the bar for all kiddie hip-hop to come. This is an album that can win over listeners who aren't usually fans of the genre.—Ages 4 and up
- snack time
- Barenaked Ladies, $14
Some grown-up rock groups dumb it down when they record for kids. But on their first album for children, Barenaked Ladies just sound like Barenaked Ladies, and it's a complete success.—Ages 3 and up
- here come the 123s
- They Might Be Giants, $19
Then again, Barenaked Ladies is just doing what They Might Be Giants have been at for years now. TMBG's transition from cult-fave alt-rockers to kid-pop superstars has been seamless, and their latest shows they're still masters of the craft.—Ages 3 and up
- Sunny Side Up
- Egg, $13
Another band we expect great things from in the future, Egg offers up fun, poppy kid-rock at its finest. We dare you to sit still through this CD.—Ages 3 to 9
- Pop Fly
- Justin Roberts, $16
The prolific Roberts has, for some reason, always remained just under the radar, overshadowed by bigger acts like Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner, but he's one of the best out there, as this CD proves.—Ages 2 to 7
- Fast & Feisty
- Princess Katie & Racer Steve, $15
A lot about Katie and Steve seems incongruous. They dress in theme-parkish costumes, and their songs carry a vague air of '60s mod-ness, but when it comes down to it, they just make great kids music.—Ages 2 to 7
- The Pod Squad
- Hot Peas & Butter, $17
Latin-tinged beats—fleshed out by the buttery-smooth vocals of frontman Danny Lapidus—make this one soulfully delicious song collection.—Ages 3 to 8
- little songs
- Brian Vogan, $14
Vogan, a newcomer to the kiddie-music scene, stunned us with this fantastic debut CD, on which he surfs between classic-sounding folk and experimental rock—and sounds great doing it all.—Ages 3 to 8
