The majority of songs on this album are upbeat and exciting for children, encouraging them to dance and move around. "Partner Dance" and "Towel Tango" actually have silly lyrics instructing a listener how to dance. We dare you to follow along! However, like all of the JAMband albums, it also includes slower, calming tunes like "Peace Dream" and "Wish", a sweet lulling song that could bring a child down from a sugar high to a quiet humming state. The songs address issues and activities that are interesting and fun to children, whether it's baking a cake, dancing, or making a wish. "Super Hero" talks about feelings kids can identify with; "Sometimes I can be rather naughty, and sometimes I even want to scream!" It also includes a catchy tune and fun words to sing along with, "Superhero, super cool. Traveling from there to here-o". Charity also includes interesting sound effects such as psychedelic sounds, sudden tempo changes, and looping her voice to be her own backup singer in "Whatcha gonna bring."
The "Jump Into the Middle" song can easily be made interactive, as little ones will love to play with their friends, folks, and siblings, dancing in a circle and taking turns jumping in the middle and dancing. In "Happy Fluffly" listeners are encouraged to shake, jump around, and "Laugh so hard you fall to the ground!" "Cake" is another fabulous play-date or family-time song, as listeners can act out all of the lyrics about how to make and bake a cake; crack the eggs, smash the butter, pour the milk, spread the frosting, shake the sprinkles, and so on. "Wish" is a fun song to inspire a talk about what your child may want to wish for, or "Travellin'" can encourage dreaming about all the places they'd love to see.
My three-year-old friend, Sam, loves the "Super Hero" song the most, as he likes to dress up as "Super Sam" on a daily basis anyway. I asked him what his secret power was, and he said, "Being nice." I think I was as proud as his mom to hear that!
--Audra