The Baby Grands - 'The Baby Grands'

What do you get when a pediatric physical therapist, a singer/songwriter, and a record label co-owner meet? The Baby Grands!

What at first seems an unlikely mix of people to make a kids' record makes sense when you look at the details: Backspace Records co-owner Ben Rowell and therapist Marc Castelo met at Castelo's Play 2 Grow activity space in Atlanta, and Castelo had been writing songs with Minnesota-based singer Donny Todd. The three teamed up, with help from drummer Ken Nasta, to create an album full of humor, wit, and stuck-in-your-head tunes.

The Baby Grands' laid-back, low-key tunes feature a mix of influences like Jack Johnson, They Might Be Giants, The Dave Matthews Band, and Barenaked Ladies. The opening travelogue "Hittin' the Road" is perfect for your next family trip's mix CD, and the great bridge and chorus of "Pluto" lament that planet's recent loss of status.

Kids (and grownups) will dig the humor of "Diggin' a Hole to China," "Why is it W?" and "Panda Rock," with its can't-miss chorus. Mom and Dad know that "Sugar Makes Me Loco" (great jam band groove, by the way), so the generous but unsuspecting grandma better watch out!

"All About Me" is an activity song disguised as a feel-good dance tune, while the oughta-be-a-country-music-hit "Dream Big" is an inspirational ode to the innate wisdom of kids. "Sleepy Lullaby" rounds out the album, sounding like nothing less than Oasis' "The Masterplan" and Pink Floyd's "Is There Anybody Out There?" put through a Beatles blender.

The Baby Grands' emphasis on harmonies, good songwriting, and humor help make their self-titled CD a great debut kids' album.

Released November 8, 2008; Backspace Records