Facing shopping suckage this Christmas Eve? Here's a last-minute gift idea that's truly for "all ages": Brats On The Beat: Ramones For Kids.
This combination compilation/tribute/children's album came out on last month (so recently that few record store employees had heard of it, I found while trying to get a copy).
The concept, by Jennifer Finch of L7 and The Shocker: Be kid-friendly, not condescending, by using real-life punk singers and real-kid backing vocalists, as well as musicians from real bands like the Gabba Gabba Heys, Goldfinger, and Eagles Of Death Metal.
Does it work? Well, from the opening lines of "Blitzkrieg Bop" I was dancing around like a crazy lady in my PJs--not like I would at a show, but like I used to as a preschooler with my Chipmunks albums.
Brats succeeds for a coupla reasons. The Ramones are beloved because, as a punker friend once said, they proved anyone could play music even without skills, so their easy tunes translate well for children. Also, the album's creators made sure the music comes off as real, not as bland karaoke-quality versions led by a "dumb" singer that smart kids can see right through.
My favorites: "I Just Want To Have Something To Do," with Emily Wynne-Hughes of Go Betty Go; "We Want The Airwaves," sung by Spooney of Gabba Gabba Hayes; "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker," featuring Josie Cotton; and "Bop Til You Drop," with the slighly spooky vocals of TSOL's Jack Grisham. Except for "Sheena," which is just plain fun, the other tracks have a bit more sophisticated arrangements than the songs that stick to the Ramones' tried-and-true three-chord tricks.
(Speaking of alliteration, everyone's bound to love "Spiderman," even if they don't care for any other Ramones or punk song in the world.
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I'm not sure, though, that grown-ups would want to listen to this CD over and over without the shorties by their sides. The kiddie backup singers, while in-tune and, more importantly, filled with the spirit of the Ramones, could become grating to some. Others might find them simply hilarious.
The hilarity could've been racheted up 12 notches if the album's creators had decided to cover "The KKK Took My Baby Away." Instead, there's nothing here to offend stuffy parents, paving the way for cool aunties like me. I can't wait to find out how my toddler nephews like this.
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