The Terrible Twos - Jerzy the Giant

The Terrible Twos return with a terrific second CD for kids, Jerzy the Giant.

Anyone familiar with The Terrible Twos' debut 2007 CD, If You Ever See an Owl..., will instantly recognize the breezy, laid-back, and ridiculously catchy sound of Jerzy the Giant. Songs about playground politics, the alphabet, hide-and-seek, and a little girl who names everything Sandy are backed by harmoniums, mandolins, drums, bass, and guitars, and lots of harmonies.

The Terrible Twos are the alter ego of Matt Pryor and his grownup band, The New Amsterdams. Pryor, a father of three, started writing songs for his kids after calling it quits with his original band, The Get Up Kids, in 2005. By collaborating with his current bandmates, the Terrible Twos' sound never strays far from that of The New Amsterdams', a little happier and more wide-eyed, perhaps.

Pryor made a point of not trying to write "kids' songs," instead concentrating on composing great pop songs that happen to be on a children's album. Tunes like "Old Man Miller," "Big Baby J," the title track, and "Playground" (written by drummer Bill Belzer) are excellent songs, no matter what format they happen to fall under.

Pryor's three kids are honored with several songs ("Big Baby J," "Jerzy the Giant," "Elliott Oooh," and "Lily Names Everything Sandy"), while "Jump Jump Jump" promises to be a hit at live shows.

Pryor seems to gravitate toward feelings and images, such as "Old Man Miller"'s celebration of the magic of song, and "Watch Out for the Lions"'s thoughts on imaginary fears, while Belzer's tunes ("Archibald McCallister" and "Playground") are much more linear. And The Twos seem to be one of the few bands to match fellow popsters-turned-kids-stars They Might Be Giants' quirky imaginations: the fact that vowels seem to get all the attention is expressed well in "Consonants."

The sixteen short songs on The Terrible Twos' second kids' album are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, but that's a good thing! In fact, you might find yourself borrowing Jerzy the Giant from your little one to listen to on your way to work. An all-around winner!

Released July 29, 2008; Vagrant Records