A few months ago, in an effort to restore some sense of joy within the walls of my skull, I stopped listening to the news. I stopped turning the speakers off in the back of the van so I could listen to talk radio, and started turning those speakers up, quite loud if the boys were annoying me, and filling their little ears with music that I like.
I didn't realize that, in doing this, I would end my boys' enjoyment of kid's music for all eternity.
Soon after my self-imposed news blackout, some friendly PR people sent me various CDs of kid's music. Like a good reviewer, I not only listened to this music, I forced my kids to listen, too. After all, it's their opinion that really matters.
I figured I'd find the music at least moderately enjoyable. I'd read Amy's news story on DotMoms, about how kid's music is topping the charts. Of all that I received, I thought Kidz Bop 10 had the best chance of success, because the songs are already hits, just sung by kids in a toned-down arrangement. Plus, this series has topped the record charts. I'd just seen this exact CD for $16 at the checkout at Stop & Shop, shelf space reserved for the best sellers.
The first time, I played it in the kitchen. Both boys asked me to turn it off. I tried different tracks. "Turn it off!" they yelled in unison.
The next time I played it in the van, from which they couldn't escape. I would make them listen, and it would grow on them.
"I don't like this song."
"Me, neither."
"Give it a minute."
... "I still don't like it."
I put on "Bad Day," figuring they could relate. "Just listen to one song all the way through."
After about a minute, my six year old groaned, "Why are you making us listen to girls' music?"
Then the four year old screamed "We HATE this music!!" over and over until I gave up and put on BCN.
("Mom, does everyone like rock music?" "No, honey." "Why not? It's awesome!")
Believe it or not, I tried slipping the CD in a few other times, including this morning. John saw it by my computer, and I told him I was "getting rid of it because you don't like it." He insisted that he did like it, so I put it in while he was eating his cereal.
"I hate it," he said, milk dripping down his chin. "Get rid of it."
Would you like to take Kidz Bop 10 off my hands? Tell me the name of your kids' favorite CD or artist, or your favorite kid's CD, if you have one. I'll accept entries until Sunday at midnight, EST, then I'll draw a name and post the winner Monday morning.
2 comments:
I don't know if I WANT the CD after that glowing review, but I do know my 3-year old's favorite artist right now is Lauri Burkner Band, or those Cedermont Kids CDs. I like Lauri because I can listen to her. I liek the Cedermont ones because they are only $4, but usually I have him play those in his room. At the other end of the house. Where I can't hear them.
For bedtime music, I like Kim Scanlon's "Nightsongs and Lullabies." It's a little jazzy, a little folksy, a little swingin'. Not at all babyish. I also like Laurie Berknor.
THe Kid's Bop commercials freak me out, though. Like when they sing that, "Because of You, I never strayed to far from the sidewalk . . ." as if little kids have such cynicism! Did you feel like the lyrics were a little weird coming from 10 year-olds?
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