You don’t tend to see a lot of the more popular musicians creating children’s music let alone a whole album. Other than Kevin Barnes’ album Cherry Peel, which he has claimed to be naive and childlike, it is hard to think of anything more. Now, however, you will have more children’s music to listen to by your favorite artists!
Through a recent press release, indie rockers Best Coast has announced their first ever children’s record Best Kids. The album is an almost-completely-original album of children’s music that will be released exclusively through Amazon Originals this summer on June 22. Aside from their originals, Best Coast will also have covers from musicians Lesley Gore and Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Some of the covers include “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” If you are as enticed as I am, then check out their first single from Best Kids titled “Cats and Dogs” below.
“Cats and Dogs” uses Best Coast’s heavy distorted sound and twists it into a whole new context for children. A heavy strum starts the song and soon an organ and fuzz-guitar outline a wonderful childlike melody that introduces a head-bopping, heartwarming wonder of music. Bethany Cosentino, singer of Best Coast, allows the melody to play through once before singing about the nature of cats and dogs. While singing about the classic steretypical enemies, noises of the two animals accompany the vocals at the appropriate time so as to have more fun with their young listeners. As the song comes to an end, the listener can see that this song is sweet and chock-full of the knowledge kids learn with the more corny of children’s programming: the acceptance of those different from others. Cosentino sings to the audience about the differences between cats and dogs, but makes sure to sing that it does not mean they have to be enemies. Using cats and dogs as an allusion for the acceptance of others is the perfect way to engage the children that Best Coast and Amazon want to reach. If “Cats and Dogs” is a strong example of what the rest of Best Kids is like, then Best Coast is about to get a new age group of fans.
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
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