All Around Ralph's World (by Ralph Covert, Children's Music)

A LL AROUND RALPH'S WORLD is music veteran Ralph Covert's ninth children's album. Kids will get a kick out of the songs that take their imaginations from their backyards to outer space and all across the world and back again. The 16 tracks include songs about a magic trick, pickle juice, bubblegum, and a dog named Bruce, providing some fun, cozy listening entertainment on car rides or lazy Saturday mornings.

Although Ralph Covert is an established musician in the children's music genre, his latest CD does little to stand out from the pack. In an age where great children's music is easy to find, ordinary songs about bubblegum and airplanes just aren't enough. The majority of the songs are fine, but not necessarily memorable. Somewhat shallow and broad, the lyrics skim over details that could otherwise make these songs much more potent and kid-tastic. "The Great Outdoors" talks about seeing things outside, such as the ocean and trees, but fails to provide vivid images that young minds would thrive on. Still, "Pickle Me Juice" is a funny, upbeat track that's catchy, and "A Dog Named Bruce" is easily one of the album's best, taking kids on a journey through the U.S. with a curious, charismatic dog. The music in "The Robot Looked at the Stars" hints at Coldplay or Radiohead and sends a good message about shooting for the stars, and "I'm Not Tired" is strangely sweet and infectious as an unassuming lullaby. "The Funniest Joke in the World," however, may leave you scratching your head, with dragging, lamenting music about, apparently, the funniest joke in the world.

Released on: February 9, 2010
Genre: Children's Music