Taxi

Former rocker churns out urban-themed kids' music.

Artist: David Weinstone, Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals
Genre: Children's Music Label: Music for Aardvarks Parental Advisory: No Edited Version Available: No Release Date: 01/09/2007

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that this CD is a compilation of favorite songs from the New York City-based music program, Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals. Focused around urban topics such as taxi rides, street music, bagels, and park carousels, this album has a cult following (Jon Stewart is said to be a fan) and filled with silly song about things recognizable to those living in and outside urban areas.

Families can discuss things that you find living in big cities: What's it like to ride in a taxi or live in an apartment? Families with older kids can also research the Big Apple to see what kind of kid-friendly places exist there. Are there children's museums? What's a fun park to go to? Where can you buy yummy bagels? On a musical note, families can talk about the variety of styles and figure out which ones are more inclined to get dancing. Folk? Tango? Rap? Rock?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jennifer Axman

David Weinstone, the force behind Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, has been writing songs for his interactive music classes since 1997, and TAXI is a compilation of the favorite tunes from these classes.

Many of the lyrics and topics -- from cab rides and bagels to park carousels and street noise -- are a celebration of growing up in urban environments. However, this CD contains lyrics that kids living in cities and the suburbs alike can relate to: "I crack me up with the silly things I do / I'm an monkey in the zoo / I crack me up with the silly things I say Foopeebopoopee and bonk" ("I Crack Me Up"), "Splashing in the tub / I'm splashing in the tub / having a good time splashing in the tub" ("Splashing in the Tub"), and "I said okey dokey you know best 'cuz you're the doc / but before I go, I'd like to know / hey where's my lollipop?" ("Lollipop Doc").

Seeing that this CD is following a format created for music classes, many of the songs are highly interactive and have directions for listeners to follow along to. Two examples: "Big Old Tree" ("I'd do a little bump, I'd do a little twist / I'd do a little jump and wiggle just like this / I'd do the funky chicken / silly yes I know / then I'd pack my trunk and hit the road.") and "Tango" ("It's really easy you just twist twist twist / and than you jump up and you jump right back / then take a bow and tip your hat.") The diversity of music styles also adds to the fun. It may seem disjointed to cover rock, folk, rap, indie rock, and even a Latin beat on one album, but somehow Taxi pulls it off with creativity and a sense of humor.

Fans of this CD may want to visit the Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals' Web site to see about music classes in their area. You may also enjoy No! from They Might Be Giants.

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