Snack Time! an album by Barenaked Ladies. Desperation Records, 2008. 54 minutes,
UPC 09362-49883-80
Summary: The Barenaked Ladies, a Canadian alternative rock band who achieved great popularity in the 1990's, has brought their trademark quirky lyrical cleverness to this collection of songs for the younger set. With tracks on subjects such as hand-me-down clothing, metamorphosis, silent letters, and popcorn, the band covers topics familiar, and not so familiar, to children.
Children will enjoy rocking out to the up-tempo goofiness of songs like The Ninjas and Eraser, as well as relaxing to the slower, more insightful tracks such as Bad Day. There is plenty of musical enjoyment on this album for children ranging in age from toddlers to tweens, as well as their parents, which is a rare achievement in children's music.
Critical Evaluation: The twenty-four songs on the album are both educational and fun, and include some instruments, such as the accordion, viola, banjo, and the saw, not usually found on children's recordings. These non-traditional musical voices accompany the more typical keyboard, guitar, and percussion instruments to create a complex, catchy sound.
A variety of musical styles are represented by different songs on the album, including the jazzy Food Party, the slow and soothing Vegetable Town, and the western-influenced 789. The lyrics feature clever rhymes, puns, and plays on words, while also referencing pop culture from the 70's and 80's, a quality that many parents will appreciate.
This album provides an alternative to the saccharine sweetness and poor production qualities of much of the children's music available today. When music can be appreciated by all of the members of a family, it becomes a shared experience allowing a deeper level of connection between parents and children.
Age or Interest Level: Ages 2 to 8
Lexile Level: ---
Awards: 2008 Juno Award for Best Children's Album
Why Included? This album demonstrates what is possible when a band known for their recordings for adults pours all of their talent into creating a fun and clever record for children. The Barenaked Ladies have done just this, with a resulting album that is appealing to people of all ages.