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High Roller (by Hullabaloo, Children's Music)

common sense media says

Folk-country kiddie music with fun lessons.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that if you're looking for fun music that also happens to provide subtle everyday lessons, then look no further. Your preschoolers and kindergartners will not only love singing along and dancing to these tunes, but you might even find yourself listening to them when the little ones aren't around. Seriously.

Positive messages: Positive message to girls that it's OK not to be a frilly-princess type, "and they all lived together comfortably ever after." "This Land is Your Land" invokes camaraderie and love of country.
Positive role models: "Princess Bluejeans" is about a girl with a mind of her own.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on High Roller

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about being creative. These fun songs will encourage children to imagine and pretend. What inspires kids to feel creative? 
  • There's a song about "400 cupcakes" on this album, and although it doesn't promote eating 400 cupcakes, you could have a discussion with your child about healthy eating habits. Do you think there is too much junk food advertising on TV and other media? What can you do about it?
  • "Princess Bluejeans" is a great song about being who you are and being "comfortably ever after." What are some ways to encourage positive self-image and body-image for young girls? How do you think media (TV, magazines, Internet) affects what girls think about themselves?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The dynamic folk-country duo Hullabaloo are veterans in the business of making music for kids. A former elementary music teacher, Steven Denyes knows how to write music that is enjoyable, imaginable, and educational. HIGH ROLLER is a clever collection of 8 original and 4 traditional tunes that are fresh mixes of country, blues, and folk music. Old favorites like Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land," "Old Dan Tucker," and "London Bridge" are included with original songs about a princess in blue jeans, baking 400 cupcakes, and finding a dinosaur in your backyard.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

From beginning to end, Hullabaloo's High Roller is non-stop, put-a-smile-on-your-face fun. Picture Johnny Cash as a toddler, and no doubt he'd be singing the cool-kid track, "High Roller,"  mackin' about his "mom-power engine" with "3.5 inch rims." The lyrics are so clever and cute, painting a picture of a smooth-talking tot in Huggies saying, "I got a paci and a juice box 'cause I'm crazy like that."  The whole album blends musical influences in country, folk, and blues with smart, poetic lyrics that are, for lack of a better word, perfect.

"Princess Bluejeans" gives little tomboys with pigtails a reason to shout, and "Ants in My Pants" will have preschoolers giggling about "chocolate in my pajama pocket." And, can you imagine a birthday party where your kindergartner invites everyone? "400 Cupcakes" is a lovable lesson in fastidiousness. The duo of Hullabaloo have a real talent in making kids' music that is both fun and instructional, in a sneaky, unassuming-to-kids kind of way. 

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: September 29, 2009
Genre: Children's Music
This review was written by Jessica Dawson
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines