Muddy Music

Kids love playing outside, getting dirty, visiting the farm, and wrestling with their pets. I would think it would follow that they’d like songs about these things, too!

In the spirit of Rat Boy Jr’s Worms or dirt from their new album Smorgasbord, the following albums get kids thinking about how much fun it is to play and just be a kid. I like that.

Dennis Caraher’s I Miss the Mud is a classic kid’s CD filled with songs about bugs, dinosaurs, and, of course, mud. His music is fun and lively and often very evocative. Chasin’ After Chickens, a song about chickens released in the house, has such fun imagery you can’t help but imagine what it would be like if you had a flock of chickens in your own house!

Dennis is a Massachusetts artist, which means he performs around here so you can catch one of his live shows. Visit his website, www.dogbonetown.com, for more info.

Richard Popovic is another New England artist (from New Hampshire). His vocals are rich and lyrics light, which makes for a nice combo. If you only listen to one song from his CD, check out 6′s and 7′s (and other troublemakers). Along with number riddles (Why was six afraid of seven?), I love songs that anthropomorphize numbers (FYI, because 7-8-9).

But if you’re looking for a good and dirty song, try Stinky and Squeaky. How can you not love a song with a name like that? Want to learn more about Richard (including how he recorded this album)? Visit huckleberryparty.com.

The Okee Dokee Brothers are a new favorite of mine. They have a sort of bluegrass sound with lots of acoustic guitar and banjo, but I say “sort of” because they also have a very modern sound, particularly with their witty lyrics.

Of course a big theme for them is to get outside and get active, but they also encourage you to Wash Your Face, especially after learning the The Naked Truth (though you may need to wash more than your face after walking about nude). I love their opposites-attract song about Lefty Lucy and Righty Tighty (Lucy and Tighty) for it’s perfect wordplay. We haven’t had the chance to see them live yet, but their videos of live performances are hilarious. Hopefully they’ll come to Boston soon!

Take It Outside will be released on August 3rd.