Wonderstuff

Recess Monkey

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Monkey Mama
• ASIN: B000XA5JWQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,598 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Review
Stefan Shepherd at Zooglobble said:

When the Seattle band Recess Monkey aped (pun somewhat intended) the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover on their 2nd CD, Aminal House, it wasn't a random reference -- they really did sound a bit like the Beatles on that fine CD. So with their Sgt. Pepper's under their belt (and maybe their fun but a little rough-around-the-edges debut Welcome to Monkey Town standing in for Please Please Me), all that's left is to release a double album, right?

Uh, right.

Set to be officially released this weekend, Wonderstuff is the year's most ambitious kids' music album. A double-CD set (a first for the genre as far as I'm aware) telling the story of Everett the Wonderbee, who along with some friends, travel far and face danger as they seek the mysterious Gray which threatens the meadows where Everett and his friends all live. Oh, and the songs and the stories were created (and performed) by the band with the help of a bunch of elementary-school-aged summer campers. (Really. I sat in on the tail-end of one the days of camp as an invited guest of one of the campers.) So, yeah. Ambitious.

Although the band joked this summer that they were making their "Yellow Album," as I listened I thought more of another late '60s double-CD set from another English band -- the Who's Tommy. Though miles away from Pete Townshend's somewhat dark and disturbing storyline, Wonderstuff is, at its heart, also a rock-pop opera. It intersperses its songs with narration and dialogue from the characters which move the story along. These snippets, usually a minute or so in length, are often quite amusing (for both parents and kids, though not always at the same time). The story itself -- a hero quest worthy of Joseph Campbell -- will be of interest to kids.

Of course, the heart of the album are the 20 songs here. There are a fair number of songs that one would describe as Beatlesque ("My Pet Rock" is one such song, featuring the album's best melody), but other styles get their day -- the later Beach Boys sound of "The Pool," the Byrds-ian jangle-pop of "Down Down Down," even the Who get a cut ("Round and Round"). Which isn't to say newer artists get ignored. Some of the tracks on the 2nd CD have to me a more minimalist Spoon vibe, the dour "The Gray" could be a cut from Stephin Merritt's Gothic Archies side project, and the boys give another shout-out to John Vanderslice in the power-pop of "Backpack." Lyrically, the songs are split between those that hew closely to the narrative (e.g., "Magical Meadows") and those whose relationship to the story is tenuous ("Down Down Down" is really about a roller-coaster ride).

The album will be most appropriate for listeners ages 5 through 10. With Wonderstuff, Recess Monkey have recorded another album bursting with energy and good spirits. Even if you're not interested in the rock-pop opera, there are a bunch of fabulous songs at the heart of this album worth your time. Definitely recommended. --Stefan Shepherd at Zooglobble

Product Description

It's Recess Monkey's acclaimed double album, "Wonderstuff." As heard on NPR's All Things Considered, this 2-CD set will change your life! Follow Everett, Harold and Sammy's epic quest to save the Magical Meadows from The Gray! Meanwhile, treat your ears to 20 catchy, family friendly pop gems that are as fun for parents as their kids!

Recess Monkey is three elementary school teachers from Seattle who love to rock out. Available at Amazon while supplies last, also at CD Baby. Thanks for listening!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly Creative in a Time of Mediocrity, January 10, 2008

By	Paul T. Franklin-bihary "paulus22" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the second Recess Monkey CD I've listened to that I loved. Most kids music is tripe. But this is intelligent and enjoyable, even for grownups. The story makes the album much more kid-focused than "Aminal House," but the songs and goofiness make it hard to dislike. A concept album for kids. How great is that?

*Addition 2/26/08: Now this may sound strange, but this album improves with every listen! I've never said this about a children's album in my life. Most kids music grates on the nerves after a listen or two. This album, like many of my other 'grownup' favorites, grows on you. New details emerge in the story, new musical textures float to the surface, the songs become part of the psyche, and the overall whole becomes more completely understood. Classic albums like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and David Bowie's middle period albums such as "Low" also fall into this category for me. The first listen: not bad. After listen 5 or 6: wow!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album - our family is addicted!, January 10, 2008

By	C. R. White (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Our 28-month-old daughter is in love with Recess Monkey. We have all three of their albums and listen to them several times a day. Our daughter's current favorites off Wonderstuff are "My Pet Rock" and "Backpack", though there are numerous other great songs on this album. The lyrics are simple enough for our daughter to follow along--and she loves to dance to the songs and belt out her favorite verses. The music is easy on parents' ears, too (I appreciate the Beatles' influence), which is a big bonus if you're going to listen to "My Pet Rock" a dozen times in a row. We found the narratives rather distracting, so we didn't upload them to our iPod. The songs on this album are fabulous, and we can't wait for the next album!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best kids' album of 2007 (as reviewed on NPR), January 5, 2008

By	Helen Annis (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

I heard Recess Monkey on NPR so I bought their cd through Amazon. I was not disappointed. Their music is top-notch...playful, clever and full of musical complexity. The true test? My husband and I put it on when our kids aren't around. I'm definitely going to check out their two other albums.