Educated Kid

Rock-pop has some heavy-handed messages.

Artist: The Hipwaders
Genre: Children's Music Parental Advisory: No Edited Version Available: No Release Date: 09/04/2007

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the Hipwaders are fun, cute, and very good for you, if short on subtlety. If you like hit-you-over-the-head messages about family life and the importance of learning new things, or if you hold children's music to less stringent standards than the stuff you like, then the Hipwaders will deliver immense satisfaction.

Families can talk about "Little Baby Brother," a song that expresses ambivalence and jealousy over the birth of a new sibling. How do (did) you feel about the birth of a baby sister or brother? Pick a song, any song, on this album and you will find an easily identifiable message to discuss.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

The Hipwaders are as good for you as a vitamin; as musically inspiring as your middle school band teacher. Everything about EDUCATED KID is at least adequate: the singing is competent; the musicianship is pretty good garage band level; instrumental arrangements are varied but absolutely derivative; the message is resolutely sincere. Despite the members' heavily touted rock band experience and "Beatles-influenced" songwriting, the group is most successful when they depart from their beloved rock arrangements. "Song of the Paleo Pirate" (perky whistling and clean, sea-shanty ambiance) and "You've Got to Move" (relaxed Reggae groove) are by far the most charming and successful tracks, as well as the best-suited to the singer's vocal abilities.

For some brilliantly-performed, truly inspired children's music, check out Class of 3000 and They Might Be Giants' Here Come the ABC's.

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