Childish Music is a compilation of songs loosely aimed at superhip, progressive people (aka babies) and maybe not even aimed at kids, as the title implies. Nontheless, it’s a hefty compilation with some really great tracks.
I found it through a search on Devendra Banhart because [I’m obsessed and] he has a track on the compilation. I downloaded it from emusic, a service I love because it hosts almost exclusively independent artists or artists that fall somewhere in between. If you sign up, tell ’em I sent ya and I can get some extra downloads. But don’t feel any pressure… that’s not what this post is about. It’s about a pretty cool collection of songs by some bands I’ve never heard of before. How fantastic is that?!
I’ll list here the tracks I love most:
- “Good Morning” by Maher Shalal Hash Baz also found on the album Blues du Jour
- “Lucky Bugs Win Prizes,” by Hassle Hound also found on the album Limelight Cordial
- “Falling Down a Dam of Mashed Potatoes” by Lawrence – the title alone is worth having the song, but the song itself is pretty much fantastic.
- “Lu
llaby for William” by Dr. Rockit – very sweet indeed.
- “Let’s Pretend” by La Grande Illusion – this one I like especially because it has a familiar sort of tune like Strawberry Fields or something very much like it in the background on a loop and then mixed over; it’s just very nice.
- “Kula Botanical Gardens” by Asao Kikuchi.
- “Come March” by Takagi Masakatsu
- “Meets Cybermohalla” by Bernatdette la Hengst
Some of these specific songs are tough to find, but you can sample them off the emusic sampler if you just want to check it out. I don’t think you need to sign up to sample, but I could be wrong. [In case that doesn’t work, try this link to get to CD Universe – there are samples if you have RealPlayer or RealPlayer]
Now, I’ll admit: some of the tracks are straight-up bizarre – I’m not sure if I’m down with the whole album, but I’d definitely say it was worth my download credits. The collection is an international mix of melodies and sounds that border from the accessible to the way, way out. I think it’s probably a perfect mix for newborns or adults who are willing to be newborn. It’s mellow and has a lot of interesting sounds and loops that I would think would comfort fresh-from-the-womb perspective.
I found a really well-written review on Childish Music here by the Melancholy Rhino.
Let me know what you think.