Before I even started listening to BOSSY FROG PRODUCTIONS’ latest release, 15 SONGS EVERY KID SHOULD KNOW (AND WILL LOVE!), I was already reworking the title into other variations. “15 Songs Ever Parent is Tired Of (So Play ‘Em Again!)”; “15 Songs You Already Have 15 Versions Of (So Here’s 16!)”; “15 Songs We Probably Won’t Have to License Because They’re Probably in the Public Domain (No Royalties!)”; and my favorite, “Hey! At Least it’s Not KIDZ BOP (Make the Pain Stop, Act II)”. In reality, 15 SONGS isn’t bad… but it’s not great, either.
The album’s high note is it’s opening track, a version of the nursery rhyme, “Five Green Speckled Frogs” –
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Utilizing a crew of over 40 New York-based musicians under the direction of BOSSY FROG’s Jefferey Friedberg, 15 SONGS presents these familiar songs in a fashion filled with Americana and beyond, reworking them with elements of folk, cajun, blues, and more. The big problem is, they’re still those same familiar songs that you probably already have several versions of. But if you don’t? Then this is an album well-worth adding to your children’s sonic arsenal.
On a positive note, the official website for 15 SONGS offers videos and guitar lessons that can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a musical parent that wants to give a live performance for the kids, which is really where these songs work best. In moderation…
The Rock Father Rating: 2.5/5 – Average
Disclosure: A Digital Copy of this album was provided to The Rock Father for the purpose of possible review consideration. All opinions are that of James Zahn with input from his children.
