Albums That ROCK!
One of the aspects of modern children’s music that I absolutely love is that it encompasses all genres of music – hip hop, jazz, folk, country, pop, funk, blues, and even rock. And that’s the one that I want to focus on today. Three rock albums that rock so far in 2024 are from Steve Elci, Patrick Adams, and Mr. Evan V.
Let’s kick things off with Steve Elci and Friends‘ sixth album for families, All Together Now. Elci’s roots as a singer/songwriter and activist are skillfully combined with his Bob Dylan-esque vocals, if Dylan enunciated and set his lyrics to up tempo beats, in this collection of 13 original songs. Whether highlighting the beauty of nature on tracks about sunflowers, fireflies, and trees, or sharing messages of peace and love, each song’s lyrics speak directly to the listener, encouraging them and lifting them up to believe in themselves and the world around them. Check out the videos for “The Sound of Trees,“ “The Power of the Sunflower,” and the call to action “We Rise Above.”
Next up, Patrick Adams‘s latest album, Imagination Time with Patrick, his eighth album for kids and families, runs the gamut from synth and guitar heavy rock to disco-pop. This 15 track collection kicks off with driving electric guitar on the opening song, “Hairless Werewolf“ about a friendly werewolf who can’t grow hair, before taking listeners on a tour through Patrick’s imagination where zombie ballerinas, fluffy dinosaurs, space trains, and alien dance parties reside. The album closes out with “Imagination Station” which reminds children that everyone has an amazing imagination that provides space for creation (writing, art, music), without limitation.
Finally, nobody rocks quite like Mr. Evan V. Filled with electric guitars and drums, Let Us Rock jams from the first note to last in this 12-track debut collection. Songs to rock to include the opening title track, “Driving in My Racecar,” and “Fire Truck, Fire Truck.” Mr. Evan’s time leading music classes is evident in the number of songs on the album that would be perfect in storytimes. From “Blowing Bubbles,” to the shaker song “Shake Shake Shake” to the movement song, “French Fry, Pizza,” each of these songs would enhance any early childhood classes. The album also offers an interlude to the raucous fun with “Swimming in the Water,” which captures the lazy, hazy days of summer.
Are you ready to rock?? Take a listen to these three albums today!!
Music Makes Me Happy may be Katie Dwyer’s first album of children’s music, but I have a feeling that it won’t be her last. Targeting the younger listeners, this collection of 17 original songs skillfully demonstrates Dywer’s knowledge of what works best with this age group. Almost all of the tracks on this album have a run time of 1:30 to 2:30 minutes and the majority of them are up tempo and will get children and their caregivers dancing. Kids are encouraged to waddle like penguins, chomp like crocodiles, make animal sounds, move their bodies all around doing the “Hula Hula La La La,” and zoom around in their pretend cars. Even in the quieter, slower songs like “Dance Like a Snowflake,” Dwyer keeps listeners moving and engaged. Katie’s experience writing and performing her songs for children in her Katie’s Corner music classes is evident in the entertaining lyrics that feature her crystal clear solo voice often only accompanied by her piano, and on occasion, guitar and drums. Each track tells a story and features repeating phrases so that children are given a chance to sing along while the more interactive songs suggest movements that are appropriate for this developmental stage. Music Makes Me Happy is an excellent album for family listening and is filled with songs that would be right at home in storytimes and early childhood music classes.