Earthworm Ensemble (by Earthworm Ensemble, Children's Music)

EARTHWORM ENSEMBLE is a newly-banded music project consisting of some of L.A.'s most successful folk-country musicians. The ensemble's mission is to create fun, family-friendly, earth-loving music to teach kids and their parents about nature, life, and love of the planet. The songs talk about wriggly earthworms, yummy fresh corn, making pizza, and superheroes named Bear and Dog, with funky folk beats and country chords to get the whole family off the couch and out in nature, or at least, strolling through the farmer's market.

It's hard to find fault with an album that aims to teach and entertain kids and their families about the earth and environment. The songs here are mostly folk-country tunes or ballads that give green lessons about what an earthworm's job is, or how to make pizza from scratch. "Mama Loves You" is achingly sweet and serene, and kids will love making a mess to "Pizza Moon" and finding some rhythm to "Bang a Drum." "The Traveling Train" is a country concoction of words and fabulous imagery about Anytown, U.S.A., but the deep bass vocals make it hard to understand. At times the music seems low-energy for a children's album, and squirmy kids may lose interest after the first five or six tracks. But overall, the goal of getting kids interested in nature is achieved, with a cornucopia of tunes that makes this entire album fuss-free, natural, and good music to any ears.

Released on: January 1, 2010
Genre: Children's Music