What's in Little S's CD Player, May '09 edition

Birthday parties, lingering colds, and end-of-year activities have kept me from posting recently, but these events have brought new music into Little S's CD player and lots of time to listen.  Here's what we've been listening to recently:

1.  Recess Monkey, Field Trip.  This CD will be officially released on the first day of summer vacation (OK, actually June 9), but we scored an early copy by participating in the Valentine's Day recording session.  It's no secret that Little S and I heart Recess Monkey.  I think Field Trip is the best of the band's five CDs.  The production value is high, the catchy melodies and lyrics will stick in your head, and the band's decision to expand beyond Beatles-influenced songs allows Recess Monkey to showcase its humor and creativity more fully.  Perhaps the highest praise I can give: when Little S was home sick, we listened to this CD more than 10 times a day, and we still continue to enjoy it.  Check out the video for Haven't Got a Pet Yet (a favorite despite my strict no-pet policy).

2.  Brady Rymer, I Found It!  We stumbled upon Brady Rymer while looking around Jitterbug.tv.  Little S feel in love with the video for I Found It! and enjoys the other songs on the CD as well.

3.  Lunch Monkey, Dizzy.  After hearing great things about Lunch Money on Zooglobble.com, I was excited when Little S received this CD for her birthday.  Little S LOVES this CD and it has been playing endlessly in her bedroom.  It's hard to argue with songs like, A Cookie As Big As My Head.  More important to me, this band is cool AND has a female lead singer.  That didn't seem like a rare combination to me until Little S asked me, "Mom, Why all rock stars are boys?"

4.  Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1.  Little S recently started Suzuki violin.  I was surprised by the high level of parent involvement required by the Suzuki method.  Little S was surprised by the amount of time she would need to spend listening to Twinkle Variations and Lightly Row.

5.  Reserved for The Not-Its, We Are the Not-Its.  A Seattle band with a female lead singer, a love for nonprofits that support families, children and the arts, and a concert planned with Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, and Central Services Board of Education, called Time Out to Rock?  I can't wait to listen to this CD.