Not that I’m a kid (even though I oftentimes act like one) but my favorite new kids music band is Recess Monkey (get it?) from Seattle, Washington. Their latest album The Final Funktier is super fun for kids (and grown ups) of all ages. From my perspective they sound like some awesome amalgam of Ben Folds, Imagination Movers, Fountains Of Wayne, and Ultimate Fakebook. They also kinda sound like the band Dada (a highly underrated alt-rock band from the early 90′s). It means that I might actually listen to this even though they’re singing about moon boots, jet packs, science projects, sunglasses, robots, and more… I’m not even kidding. The music is full of seriously catchy melodies and hooks that will bury themselves deep inside your skull. The lyrics are clever (see “Ukulalien” for just one example) and, well, it’s all put together in a way that’s not childish at all.
Recess Monkey is a perfect example of the sort of kids music band that actually gets it. If not for the lyrics (and even then only sometimes) you’d be hard pressed to identify ‘em as a kids band. Very young kids might not be really into Recess Monkey, but The Final Funktier (with it’s science-themed lyrics) would appeal to older kids for sure. All three band members list their day jobs as “teacher” and it shows (that’s a good thing). The band also seems not to take itself too seriously (based on the costumes and some of the lyrics) despite being totally serious about what they’re doing here. It’s almost like old-school They Might Be Giants without the overly quirky sound.
Let’s just say that I’m genuinely excited to see the band perform this weekend (with my daughter by my side, of course) at Lollapalooza’s Kidzapalooza. Heck yeah!
It is fut to see this record covered on your site. The last two “shows” I have seen were Recess Monkey–both were a great time. But I feel very old knowing more about the kids’ music scene than any other.