Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the CDs in this gentle, soothing series have no lyrics. Instead, they feature instrumental versions of songs by popular bands -- from Led Zeppelin to The Cure -- arranged for maximum snooze-ability. (Note: Even though our ratings system recommends media titles for kids older than two years old, this series is best for little ones under two.)
Families can use these CDs to lull their kids to sleep. Older siblings can listen as background music when they're drawing, doing a puzzle, or getting ready to go to bed.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
The ROCKABYE BABY! series features more than a dozen lullaby CDs, with others constantly on the way. The concept is simple: songs by such groups as Coldplay, Nirvana, Tool, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Beach Boys are given new-agey, instrumental arrangements featuring the interplay of the glockenspiel, vibraphone, and mellotron -- instruments not immediately associated with rock.
The conceit, of course, is more for the benefit of rocker parents than their sleepy kids, as the songs end up sounding more alike than you'd think without their familiar screeching guitar solos, lyrical hooks, or vocal harmonies. Who knew that the Beach Boys' "The Warmth of the Sun" sounded so much like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? The good thing is that the result -- probably due to the unusual choice of instruments -- produces sounds that bump the songs many notches above traditional monotone elevator music.
Arrangements are warm and spacious, and live up to their lullaby billing with remarkable musical consistency, to the point that one or two of these CDs will go a long way. Performer/arranger Michael Armstrong, though not the most imaginative producer, has his finger firmly on the pulse of what puts people to sleep -- which is, after all, the point of a lullaby, isn't it? Warning: Parents shouldn't play this music while driving should they themselves succumb.
For similar ambiance with a little more musical oomph, you might want to try some "adult" new age musical greats; George Winston comes to mind. Other CDs that might soothe kids to sleep: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George and Dreamland.
In this series: Lullaby Renditions of Metallica; Lullaby Renditions of Coldplay; Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead; Lullaby Renditions of Tool; Lullaby Renditions of Pink Floyd; Lullaby Renditions of The Cure; Lullaby Renditions of The Beach Boys; Lullaby Renditions of Led Zeppelin; Lullaby Renditions of Nirvana; Lullaby Renditions of Queens of the Stone Age; Lullaby Renditions of The Eagles; Lullaby Renditions of U2; Lullaby Renditions of The Ramones; Lullaby Renditions of Nine Inch Nails; Lullaby Renditions of No Doubt; Lullaby Renditions of Smashing Pumpkins; Lullaby Renditions of Björk; Lullaby Renditions of Bob Marley; Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles; and Lullaby Renditions of the Pixies.
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CommercialismNothing obvious, except promotion of other CDs in the series -- fair enough. |
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