Customer Reviews

For the Kids

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This CD is an exceptional effort. My kids, 5 and 7, love it and is it any wonder why? The best track on the CD is by Dan Zanes, called Wonderwheel. It is possibly the best kids' song I've ever heard--magical and heartbreaking at the same moment. The rest of the CD is superb, especially the efforts from Sarah McLachlan, Billy Bragg, Sixpence None The Richer and the always-classy Dan Wilson.

If you have kids, treat them to this magnificent CD. It will enrich them, and give them many hours of listening fun.

Frankly, there isn't a bad track here, all are really good. Contrary to the title, it's not just "for the kids", adults will also have a good time listening to these delightful songs covered/penned by some of today's successful contemporary folk rock/pop artists.

The album begins with Cake's "Mahna Mahna" which, save for some groovy guitar work, is slightly repetitive but has a feel-good vibe to it. You'll definitely remember the Mahna Mahna character. Then comes my favorite track, BNL's "La La La La Lemon"; Steven Page and Ed Robertson are natural comedians, bringing a humorous take on the Bert and Ernie classic. Then comes the transcendence: Sarah McLachlan is able to take any song and imbue it with such beauty and earthy passion that it takes your breath away. Playing the piano, electric guitar and bass, Sarah sings a version of "The Rainbow Connection" worthy of her froggy predecessor.

Another favorite is Guster's melodic "I've Got To Be Clean"; even kids' hygiene is covered in song here. Former Del Fuegos singer-turned-kids' artist Dan Zanes then takes the album to a folky turn with the utterly charming "Wonderwheel", followed by the even more charming "Have A Little Fun With Me" by Glen Phillips. "The Hoppity Song" by Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik deserves to be a classic sing-a-long song for both kids and parents, it even features a child's vocals (possibly his son's). Billy Bragg and Wilco's interpretation of Woody Guthrie's "My Flying Saucer" is also very good, as is Darius Rucker's poignant piano ballad "It's All Right To Cry".

Ivy's "Sing" has a refreshing Bossa Nova retro feel to it while Remy Zero's take on Garfunkel's "Bright Eyes" is a calm soother. I particularly liked Dan Wilson's "Willie The King" for its poignant lyrics on childhood innocence. Bleu then takes it into a rock mode with the infectious "Snow Day"; you can just imagine you kids singing along to the chorus. While I don't care much for OLP's Raine Maida's singing, his duet (with wife Chantal Kreviazuk) of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is servicable though just a tad droll. They did manage to add a few lyrics, turning the simple ditty into a traveller-gazing-at-the-stars sort of song.

Sixpence None The Richer's contribution "Goodnight Children Everywhere", a World War II composition originally sung by British crooner Vera Lynne, is especially affecting, with haunting rock guitars weaving the melodies around Leigh Nash's angelic vocals. Who better to close this outstanding compilation than the great Tom Waits? His gruff yet melodic voice on "Bend Down The Branches" is a graceful goodnight lullaby for all kids to go to sleep.

Overall, I highly recommend getting this album. Even if you don't have kids, it's an album for rekindling fond memories of your childhood, whether it's Bert & Ernie or just a good old-fashioned song that first got you hooked to music. The great thing about this album is that it retains just the right balance; never too sweet or cutesy to turn off the adults, and never too serious to turn off the kids.

Sarah McLachlan's version of "The Rainbow Connection" is so beautiful that it will bring tears to your eyes, particularly if you're already a fan of the Muppets song. Another Muppets song, "Mahna Mahna," is covered by Cake rather well. The whole album is fun for grown-ups, good for kids, and it works as an alt-rock alternative to Elmo. And it's for charity.

Highly recommended.

I primarily wanted "For the Kids" because of Sarah McLachlan's rendition of Kermit the Frog's "The Rainbow Connection" from the eternal classic "The Muppet Movie". I struck gold today at my favorite record store today when I came across a used copy of the cd. Although the songs are certainly geared towards children, the songs can be enjoyed by any person of any age. I may not be wild about bands like Cake or Barenaked Ladies but their contributions to the compilation were quite cuke. Cake's "Mahna Mahna" has a surf feel to the song. "La La La La Lemon" is simply too cute. I absolutely love Sarah's version of "The Rainbow Connection". I haven't heard the song in years but after hearing Sarah's breathtaking cover of the classic Muppets song, the song lyrically surprisingly enough still sounds fresh as I heard it back in the late '70s (yeah, I know I am dating myself). As I listened to the lyrics for the first time in over a decade, there is still an innocence to the song that I really don't hear in today's music. Now I need to find the original version sung by Kermit the Frog. I almost forgot how much I loved this song as a kid. I also loved Ivy's "Sing". I remember singing along to that song on my Sesame Street soundtrack as a child. Kinda weird (in a good way) to hear a childhood favorite sung in a more stylishly hip fashion (very kitschy ala The Carpenters). Raine Maida and Chantal Kraviazuk's version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is also very stirring. The only song I didn't care for on this cd was "Bend Down the Branches" but that is because I can't stand Tom Waits' vocals. His singing style is an acquired taste. All proceeds to this album goes to two different organizations geared to protecting music and art programs in the schools when nowadays school budgets are being cut no thanks to bureacracy.

No surprise that these tunes, although for kids, have all the style and artistry of any contemporary music. However, I was a bit disappointed that there weren't more uptempo selections in the mix .... after a few listenings I would say about a third of the songs are of the lullaby or ballad persuasion, and a few more seem neither fast nor slow. So if you have kids that like to jump around the room and dance when they listen to their music, or simply request "I want fast music," this may not be for your family. Check out Trout Fishing in America, or even my 3-year old's current favorite, the Beach Boys.

I was tired of hearing The Wiggles and Sesame Street had lost it's charm after the 1000 time listening to it, so I tried this CD-What a Gem!! I have a 2 yr old and a 10 yr old. They both love it. I love that it's artists that I like and music that they like and the lyrics arent questionable. It's a fun CD with varied styles. Sarah McLaughlin and The Rainbow Connection makes me teary-eyed, it's a great rendition. We love Guster and We've Got to Be Clean, and all the others.The Tom Waite song is my personal least favorite, but it's even acceptable.

I eagerly recommend this if you're tired of the same hum ho kids music. This is one you will love just as much as them.

This is our very favorite kids' album!! Our favorite song is "Hop Hop Hippity" and my kids ages 1 and 3 could listen to the album all day. I highly recommend it.

However, For the Kids Too is disappointing and boring. So stay with this first album, it is great!

When I was pg I was searching for good music that could grow with the baby. This CD had excellent reviews so I took the risk and am so thankful I did.

Right now our 22 month old son requests this CD at least 3-4x a day! He calls it "this one" and he boogies away even to the slow songs. Dh and I enjoy it as well, luckily!

This has got to be to best compilation of kid's song to date! These songs will entertain your children AND you! With artists such as Sarah McLauchlan, Cake, Barenaked Ladies, Ivy and Sixpence, how can you (or your kids) complain??? My 2-year old and I love "The Hoppity Song", while my preschool class of 4-year-olds love both "Mahna Mahna" and "La La La La Lemon". These are awesome songs, with great messages, from the best artists! I smile everytime I put on this CD. Check out the music sampler on Amazon, and then GET THIS ONE!!!

I work at a daycare, so I am inundated with different kinds of "children's" music day-in and day-out. This CD is the one I reach for on the weekend! My 2-year old loves it, and the babies that I work with at school do too. It is fantastic!