CD Review: Monkey Monkey Music “What Are the Odds?” (& Giveaway Ends 8/30)

What Are the Odds?

Release Date:  August 31, 2010

ABOUT:

NYC-based singer/songwriter Meredith LeVande could truly be termed a “Renaissance woman of children’s music.”  Meredith not only holds undergraduate degrees in Women’s Studies and English, she also has a master’s degree in music and a law degree!  Drawing from all these disciplines for her multi-faceted work with children, Meredith heads up a project with the marvelously mischievous moniker Monkey Monkey Music, with a focus on “putting the child back into children’s music.”

Five years ago Meredith’s debut album, Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande, became an instant hit with families nationwide, was a Parenting magazine “Pick,” and was in rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio, earning a grassroots reputation as a classic children’s recording.

With the new Monkey Monkey Music CD, What Are the Odds?, Meredith has created something remarkable, finding the middle road between baby songs and pop band songs where kids’ lyrics are simply added to music that would otherwise be played for adults.  Meredith’s music is not only child-friendly, it’s truly child appropriate, developed with the healthy growth of the young child in mind.

Track Listing:

1. Hello (New)

2. What Are the Odds?

3. Shake It Loud

4. This Way, That Way

5. In the Garden

6. Wheels

7. Air Guitar

8. Frogs Eat Butterflies

9. Circle

10. Turn Your Body Around

11. Bubbles

12. Who’s a Knockin’?

13. Silly Animal Friends

14. Guess What I Am 15. Willow Tree in the Wind

16. Goodbye (New)

Visit the Monkey Monkey Music website to listen to samples and learn more about Meredith LeVande.

MY THOUGHTS:

My sons are not big CD listeners as they don’t quite grasp the concept that there are no pictures coming out – i.e. like the TV, but I know music is important.  I think my boys just watch TV sometimes because they like the noise on in the background while they are playing, but then they end up watching the TV.  So I tested it and put the What Are the Odds CD on while they played with their train table and they loved it!  They did stop what they were doing after awhile but it was only to jump and dance around.  They really like the “Shake It Loud” song as it encourages kids to go up, down and move around, which my sons had a blast doing.  I have since added the songs to my iPod so we can listen to it in the car or just when we are out!

Meredith has a voice that is perfect for children’s music – friendly, happy, and upbeat.  Her voice is sincere as she sings and the music lyrics are adorable and all kid-appropriate.  This new CD is definitely a great one to add to any kid’s collection, especially if you are looking for something different and unique songs!  I mean just looking at the Track Listing for this CD, you know it is going to be a fun one to listen to!

BUY IT: You can buy the “What Are the Odds?” directly through Monkey Monkey Music, wherever CDS are sold (on August 31, 2010) or you can pre-order it from Amazon
for $14.99.

GIVEAWAY: (1) winner will receive the Monkey Monkey Music CD:  “What Are the Odds?”

WIN IT:  Leave a comment about when you typically play music for your child or why you think music is important for kids!

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Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends August 30, 2010. Thanks everyone and good luck! Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you. This contest is only open to US residents and once per household please.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I received a CD for this review.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.