 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Animal Crackers
- By Wee Hairy Beasties
- Genre: Children's Music
Common Sense Media says
Blues chops and wacky animals make a great combo.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this album is filled with fun, catchy tunes. With its bluesy, folksy, and swing influences, fans of "alternative" kids' music will probably appreciate this CD.
What's the story?
ANIMAL CRACKERS, the debut album by Chicago group Wee Hairy Beasties, is bluesy, folksy fun for parents and wee human beasties alike to sing and dance to. Most of the songs are fueled by down-home country acoustic guitars and harmonicas, intermittently sweetened with male and female vocal harmonies. A 1940s-style swing style makes an appearance as well. Each musician has a cartoon animal persona such as Cyril the Karaoke Squirrel (star of his own catchy theme song) and Marjorie the Singing Bee, whose "statistics" -- natural habitat, range, and favorite things -- are featured on the liner notes. Although animals are a tried-and-true theme in children's music, the Beasties thankfully eschew barnyard standards in favor of songs about platypuses, "ragtime ducks," and glowworms. Or consider the blues songs "Housefly Blues" and "I'm an A.N.T.," which provide alternative viewpoints from the perspective of the common pest.
Is it any good?
These songs are great fun for young children (actually for everyone). For example, the title track is perfect for stomp-alongs, encouraging shouts of "WEE!" in each line of the chorus. The "Road Safety Song" is another highlight, advocating safe driving while keeping it playful: "There's a bug in the headlights -- SPLAT!" As fun as this CD is, it might've benefited from a bit more diverse instrumentation, but the Beasties do nail the old-time revival sound. (Interesting side note: Two of the Beasties, Jon Langford and Sally Timms, hail from the seminal British punk band the Mekons.)
What families can talk about
Families can talk about when the music style changes on the CD and which one they like better. And, of course, the animals make for some fun discussions: What are your favorites? What sounds do they make? Are they big or small? Where do they live? Can you move like them?
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AGE
Great for Pre Teens & Teens!
I allow my grandchildren from ages 10+ to listen to this soundtrack,and they just adore it! Yet, I do not allow my grandchildren under the age of 10 listen, because I personally believe that there should be no media what-so-ever in their head. Not until they are older. Plus, I dont think the young ones would be able to understand the message.
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| Artist: | Wee Hairy Beasties |
| Release date: | October 24, 2006 |
| Label: | Bloodshot Records |
| Genre: | Children's Music |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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