Common Sense Note
Although Oscar's grumbling voice may become grating after a while, the songs are entertaining, the band arrangements inventive, and the musical theater spoofs quite humorous.
While this collection offers few direct lessons, children learn that even those with different opinions deserve to be heard, and to look for value in all things.
"Oscar's Junk Bank" shows that music can be made with most anything. Have your children give the old paper and comb a try, learn now to create tones by blowing on bottles, and find even more objects around the house to create their own band.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Marina Torres-Nemeth
OSCAR'S TRASHY SONGS gives the loveable grouch his own forum for extolling the virtues of his many loves: trash, dirt, noise, rain, and foul moods. While most everyone on Sesame Street is happy and positive, Oscar makes it okay to gripe and be grouchy for a little while. Little ones also relate to Oscar's love of getting dirty, playing in the mud, and splashing in rain puddles.
Oscar's band has the sound of a Tin Pan Alley, honky-tonk band with some blues thrown in, making for some fairly complex and entertaining arrangements. Sometimes the mood is majestic and patriotic, as in "Grouchelot" (an obvious reference to Camelot), and in "There's a Big Heap of Trash …," with it's sampling of "The Impossible Dream." "Wonderful Me" whirls kids into the waltz, while "Hey Little Worm" inspires a little soft shoe with a sassy brass arrangement. The sour version of "Oscar's Do Re Mi" gives all who've had enough of the sweet original a chuckle.
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