Review: Anthems for Adventure - Tim and the Space Cadets

Tim Kubart, head of Tim and the Space Cadets, left the kindie band The Jimmies nearly years ago because he wanted to write and perform his own kids music.  Along with another Jimmies veteran, Matt Puckett, Kubart released an awesome video and 5-song EP in 2010 and slowly crafted the full-length debut, which gets released next week.

The result, Anthems for Adventure, is a big, sprawling, messy album.  I like to think of it as one of those big arena-ready albums you might have heard released in the '70s.  There are echoes of Elton John and the Eagles, mellow pop-rock for the kindie set, but there are some more indie sounds as well.  ("Bumblebee," for example, could be the shiniest song Clap Your Hands Say Yeah never wrote.)  Hand-claps and sing-along choruses (hi, there, "Superhero!"), it's an album whose songs are meant to be heard in concert.

When I say "messy," I don't mean sloppy.   I really liked the slow-building arrangement of "Endless Summer," about celebrating summer even in the midst of summer.  One of the standouts, "Upbeat/Downbeat," honors its theme of making music with a serious Motown-era groove.  And with more than a couple dozen different musicians making an appearance, there's a lot of musical firepower providing a miniature wall of sound.  My only warning is that the lyrics are very focused on the kids, celebrating their perspective (see, for example, "Double Knot," an emotional ode to an outsized pair of shoes).  Many folks will see this as an good thing -- and who could blame them? -- but if you prefer your kids music to take a more parent-inclusive approach lyrically, this probably isn't your first choice.

The album is most appropriate for kids ages 4 through 8.  You can hear some of the tracks at the band's website.  Anthems for Adventure might be the most apropos kindie album title of the year as it's filled with songs about explorations large and small, songs to be sung along with.  Tim and the Space Cadets wear their corduroy-patched heart on their sleeve; sympathetic adventurers will enjoy this spirited celebration.  Recommended.

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this album for possible review.]

Video: "2nd Grade Show" - Tim and the Space Cadets

I think most observers would agree that Tim and the Space Cadets' "Superhero" video was one of the most stunning debut videos in modern kids music -- excellent tune, great production values, fun video all around.

So I wondered whether or not the long-in-the-making second video from the band for their new song "2nd Grade Show" (off Anthems for Adventure, out January 29th) would even come close to the impact of the first video.

Question answered: yes, mostly.

I think I like "Superhero" the song more than "2nd Grade Show," but in terms of the video itself, its scope and shininess, it's every bit its predecessor's equal.  As someone who never watched the TV series Lost, I'm sure I missed 80% of the references to the show in the video, but I guess I'm proof that you (or your kids) can enjoy it even if you don't know your Hurley from your Smoke Monster.

Tim and the Space Cadets - "2nd Grade Show" [YouTube]

(Early) Spring Kickstarter Update

Kickstarter logoThey're not monthly updates, these highlightings of Kickstarter and other other crowdsourcing efforts in the kids music world, but we pretty much could do that now.  Rarely does a week go by that a new family music project doesn't appear on Kickstarter, and I'm also hearing about new possibilities -- Koo Koo Kanga Roo (again) and Moona Luna are just a couple bands publicly mulling going the KS route.

First up, Bay Area band Orange Sherbet, who are Kickstarting for, well, just because they want to support their latest (and forthcoming) album Delicious. Besides offering copies of the music, of course, their project offers backers postcards, live music, and, yes, recipes.  Mmmm.... food.... 

Next up, Brooklyn band Astrograss is turning to the site to help fund their next kids' CD.  Their project offers backers unreleased music, t-shirts, posters, even lessons.  I've liked some of their previous work, so I'm totally serious when I say, "String bands for everyone!"

Staying in New York City, Tim and the Space Cadets are also using Kickstarter to push their new album, Anthems for Adventure, across the finish line.  Technically speaking, the monies raised by their project won't go to fund the two videos for the album (they're already shot), but I think I speak for everyone when I say that anything that helps produce a couple new Tim and the Space Cadets videos is a Good Thing.

Also of important note: Austin's Biscuit Brothers are Kickstarting once again.  Just go read the description and search my website for the band.  I think you know why this project is crucial.  Crucial!

Finally, a tip of the cap to Portland's The Alphabeticians and Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band.  Both the Alphabeticians' project and the Kaleidoscope Band's project were successfully funded.