Animal Crackers

Blues chops and wacky animals make a great combo.

Artist: Wee Hairy Beasties
Genre: Children's Music Label: Bloodshot Records Parental Advisory: No Edited Version Available: No Release Date: 10/24/2006

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this album is filled with fun, catchy tunes. With its bluesy, folksy, and swing influences, fans of "alternative" kids' music will probably appreciate this CD.

Families can talk about when the music style changes on the CD and which one they like better. And, of course, the animals make for some fun discussions: What are your favorites? What sounds do they make? Are they big or small? Where do they live? Can you move like them?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kerwin So

ANIMAL CRACKERS, the debut album by Chicago group Wee Hairy Beasties is bluesy, folksy fun for parents and wee human beasties alike to sing and dance to. Most of the songs are fueled by down-home country acoustic guitars and harmonicas, intermittently sweetened with male and female vocal harmonies. A 1940s-style swing style makes an appearance as well.

Each musician has a cartoon animal persona such as Cyril the Karaoke Squirrel (the star of his own catchy theme song) and Marjorie the Singing Bee whose "statistics" -- natural habitat, range, and favorite things -- are featured on the CD's liner notes.

Although animals are a tried-and-true theme in children's music, the Beasties thankfully eschew barnyard standards in favor of songs about platypuses, "ragtime ducks," and glowworms. Insects and their annoying aspects are covered here, too, but the blues songs "Housefly Blues" and "I'm an A.N.T." provide alternative viewpoints from the perspective of the common pest.

The title track is perfect for stomp-alongs, with adults and kids shouting the "WEE!" in each line of the chorus to great effect. The "Road Safety Song" is another highlight, advocating safe driving while keeping it playful: "There's a bug in the headlights -- SPLAT!"

As fun as this CD is, it might've benefited from a bit more diverse instrumentation. But the Beasties do nail the old-time revival sound, making it fun for everyone. Actually, Wee Hairy Beasties would likely be a blast to watch live. (Interesting side note for hipster 'rents: Two of the Beasties, Jon Langford and Sally Timms, hail from the seminal British punk band the Mekons.)

Fans of Wee Hairy Beasties will also enjoy Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell.

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