The Artists
Several years of performing and composing together seem to have made Dog On Fleas an impressively cohesive unit, which is a rare thing in kids' music. It doesn't hurt to have three songwriters and four lead singers in the same group, either.
Head Dog Dean Jones has made his mark in kids' music as a solo artist, as well. He released the quiet, contemplative Napper's Delight in 2007, followed by the decidedly more raucous Rock Paper Scissors in 2010.
The Music
Dog On Fleas call upon the spirit of The Band for songs like the witty "When I Get Little," the I-can't-help-but-dance "The Moon Song," and the lazy front porch shuffle "Come On Down." "Green Grass of Summer" is a splendorous slice of pastoral rock, and "Honeybaby" is a sweet and simple ode to a child that cleverly uses Gingerbread Boy imagery. The rowdy "Ridin' On a Pony" contains some impressively complex vocal gymnastics, and I dare you to try and sit still during the Cajun raveup "Mon Pain Perdu."
If Ray Charles went to Memphis and recorded a song about his love of forestry, it would sound like the John Hughes-sung "Trees;" while pianist Debbie Lan says "Peace Will Come" if we practice kindness, love, service, honesty, joy, and unity. David Levine's "Babeo," besides being a precious song, is modern Americana: I suspect you will find this very tune in an American Folk Song compendium somewhere down the line. And "The Coo Coo," well, this song defies categorization. I guarantee you won't hear another tune like it on a kids' album outside of West Africa this year.
The album ends with the 4/4, 2/4 rhythm workout "Scratch My Back," in which you can clearly hear the glee in singer Dean Jones' voice. And the whole project is anchored by Chris Cullo's invisible drumming, meaning that it's so well done and integrated into the songs, you don't notice it at first. Go back and listen again for the brilliant drum work.
The Verdict
What makes this album so enjoyable for all ages is the fact that the band weave messages of world brotherhood into the rockin' party ska song and nursery rhyme allegory "What's Behind the Wall;" of the cyclical reality of life (and a political barb) into the tender "Big Black Snake;" of pay-it-forward philosophy into the loping "Give It Away," and of the reliabilty of nature into the riverboat dance tune "The Moon Song," which contains my favorite line: "Forces greater than math control us / We're swimming in a cosmic bath, don't you know it".
This is adult music for children, kids' music for grownups. What ties everything together, though, is a feeling of global kindness and a love of and appreciation for nature and the gifts she has to offer, as well as taking joy in the tiniest details of life. Listen to this album with your kids, and often.
Released July 13, 2006; Big Kids Productions
