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Jacksonville’s Chuck Nash and Atlanta’s Ben Rowell, collectively known as The Baby Grands, describe their style as “indie music for the whole family,” and I can’t help but agree. Though their simply titled 2010 release The Baby Grands II has a certain Zeppelin-esque ring to its moniker, the band’s sound is an almost universally appealing brand of melodic pop-rock. Channeling the titanic musical hooks of Cheap Trick and Big Star, the pleasant humor of They Might Be Giants and Barenaked Ladies and just a delicate hint of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ southern charm, II is a great big album that will easily appeal to little ears.
Written remotely via iChat brainstorming sessions, The Baby Grands II opens with the rousing “Hey!,” which partners with closing track “Goodbye” to give the album a proper, playful feel throughout. And like the best kindie rock, TBG manage to split the difference between educational anthems and feel-good bangers along the way.
“Where Are You From?” is a proper primer to the subjects of geography and multiculturalism, while the unlikely “Palindrome Express” is a country-fried shuffle about a trucker on his way to South Carolina’s own delightfully named Wassamassaw. Still, while edutainment jams are the bread and butter of children’s music, The Baby Grands are at their best when they are delivering uplifting tracks about imagination (“Dinosaur,” “Robot“) and childhood memories (“Brain Freeze,” “Paper Airplane.”)
On an album of such incomparable quality — so much so that I often find myself queuing it up on road trips even before my kids can request it — stand-out tracks are tough to measure, but a pair invariably stick out in my mind. The key-heavy “Upside Down” is a pop masterpiece with a sing-along chorus that will please the entire family, and it’s only outdone by the pitch-perfect harmonies of “Pounding Heart,” a song about the power of love both romantic and familial.
The Baby Grands II is available from both Amazon MP3 and iTunes, and physical discs can be purchased directly from the band’s official web site. Weighing it at only 10 tracks in length, it may seem a bit on the short side, but its stellar production value, clever songwriting and irresistible pop sensibility will make it an indispensable addition to your kid-friendly collection.
- Wired.com, Geek Dad, Z.
It’s 24/7 holiday music around our house right now—which is great, but a person can only hear “Santa Baby” so many times. So, to my rescue today, was a much overdue listen to The Baby Grands cd “The Baby Grands II”.
On my first listen through, I was right at home with a great vibes akin to my perennial favs The Barenaked Ladies—upbeat, funny, grooving tunes that are slightly off-kilter, but a little more rock n’ roll. My favorite tunes so far are “Brain Freeze” (love the lyrics “… That cone is so good, but the consequence is, you don’t feel like you should”) and “Pounding Heart” a sweet and head bopping, jump up and shout “love, love, love!” song.
Thanks Baby Grands for breaking me out of my holiday tune rut! You can find The Baby Grands music at www.thebabygrands.com
Stay tuned for part II of our top family music cd’s of 2010! Cheers— Jenna - MommyonaShorstring.com, Jenna RIggs
This follow up to the Atlanta & Jacksonville duo's much-loved self-titled CD, The Baby Grands II covers everything from dinosaurs, robots and palindromes with kid-friendly lyrics and a sound that is reminiscent of The Barenaked Ladies.
Perfect when you want something uptempo and fun but nothing too crazy. Like every day at 5:05.
- CoolMomPicks.com, Christina Refford
For me, kid’s music falls into three categories. “Annoying as Hell” and “Palatable” are the first two and capture about 99% of the kids music I’ve ever heard. There’s very little that falls into the third and final “Totally Dig It” category. In fact, Dan Zanes might be the only one in that third category for me and that’s a pretty high bar to top.
So I’ve never really understood the whole “kindie rock” phenomenon. Seemed like a fad that took away from time I’d rather use introducing my kids to quality bands like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.
Indie label Backspace Records dropped us a line last fall when one of their artists The Baby Grands were preparing to drop their second album, entitled ‘The Baby Grands II’. I figured, why not? Even if I don’t like it, my three kids might, and that’s the idea, right?
The Baby Grands are billed as a children’s/family rock band and are made up of singer songwriter Chuck Nash (a Musician Magazine’s Best Unsigned Artist and full time performer) hailing from Jacksonville Florida – and Ben Rowell, an Atlanta resident who spent over a decade as the rhythm guitar player and songwriter for the Gainesville, Florida based band Big Sky.
The Baby Grands’ first album was released about 2 years back and received great reviews, including a 2009 National Parenting Publication Award, which is a pretty big deal.
Their sophomore album saw the two team up for songwriting sessions via iChat, emailing recording files back and forth, traveling on weekends and surviving many sleepless nights of recording to complete the new album.
So, what’s the verdict on ‘The Baby Grands II’? Well, depends on who you ask. TBG’s muscial talent is certainly there – creative song writing, solid recording and producing, it really is a quality CD… if Kindie Rock is your cup of tea. There were a few songs I “totally dug” (who knew you could write an entire song about palindromes!) and a few that I found to be “annoying as…” But if I were 5? I’d be all into it. And my kids certainly were!
And that’s the bottom line, really. Given the fact that my 3 girls have continued to ask incessantly “where’s that CD that daddy got in the mail?”, “can we PLEEEEEEASE listen to the Dinosaur Under My Bed Song?”, and on and on and on… it’s a smash hit!
So, even if Kindie Rock isn’t your cup of tea, it’s all good. Your kids will definitely dig The Baby Grands! - TheFatherLife.com, Ben Murphy
I was listening to a random assortment of music with my son today and “Paper Airplane” by The Baby Grands came on. I had to stop and listen. I just love the voice! Chuck Nash is anything but “kiddie” and I can imagine his vocals on any adult rock station (particularly something like KMTT). I don’t really even notice that I’m listening to kid music unless I pay attention to the lyrics. Most of the songs from “The Baby Grands II”, like “Upside Down” and “Brain Freeze” are catchy for singing along (or singing later while you are folding laundry). “Pounding Heart”, “Palindrome Express” and “Where Are You From” have great messages that may spark conversation with your kids without being pedantic. The CD starts off with “Hey!” which always gets my kids jumping up and down – they actually call this album the “Hey” CD. All in all, this is a winner of an album that you’ll reach for over and over again. We do. Best fit for kids 2-10.
Best time to listen: playtime where an impromptu dance party would be fun, or anytime you want more adult-like music that is appropriate for your kids. - ParentMap.com, Julie Wheatley
The Sound: Low Country alt rock.
In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: The Terrible Twos, Ralph’s World
Best Moments: “Pounding Heart” is what The Avett Brothers “Kick Drum Heart” might sound like funneled through Blues Traveler, then customized for a climactic scene in a Shrek film. It’s a damn near-perfect pop song, but it needed one more verse. Because at just under 2-minutes, it’s over as fast as it began and you’re not gonna want to stop singing “when you find love it comes in the form of a pounding heart”.
Thanks to it’s richly melodic chorus and meandering slide guitar, “Paper Airplane” is the best kids song The Jayhawks never recorded. The jangly “Dinosaur” follows a similar path, with similar results. Sung from the perspective of a kid with a prehistoric creature taking up residence in his room, “Dinosaur” is built on the humorous idea that such a domestic arrangement is made copacetic “as long as he stays down on the floor”.
“At least they didn’t put the nations in alphabetical order”: That was my 1st thought upon hearing TBG channel TMBG on “Where Are You From”, a nation-name dropping song with a killer chorus.
Bonus Thoughts: The 1st video from TBG II is for “Robot”. Not my favorite tune on the new disc, but still an enjoyable animated clip and a perfectly good excuse to move your arms in a robotic fashion to make your kids laugh: (video here)
Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: Following up their out-of-nowhere, self-titled debut album, The Baby Grands deliver another solid set of alt.country kindie rock tunes. The Bear immediately gravitated towards Best Moment tracks “Pounding Heart” and “Paper Airplane”, belting out both as if she was behind the mic, and also finds the repetitive, less-than-adult-friendly “Brain Freeze” pretty hilarious.
The Baby Grands are a fine group making fun, high-quality kid’s music with a knack for stadium-worthy choruses and for finding curious subject matter (palindromes, letters & numbers changing identities when flipped around). If there is a knock on them from my perspective (and I feel the same way about The Terrible Twos), it’s that the Atlanta duo sometimes plays it too safe musically – in that Gin Blossoms/Counting Crows kind of way. You’ll be bouncing along and singing every word in no time flat, but will the music still feel the same after 3 weeks…3 months? I wonder if there’s enough of an edge and/or emotionally connective tissue packed into the songs to extend shelf life.
I don’t know if I’ll love this album come Spring, but I sorta don’t care right now because the Bear and I cannot stop singing together. And that’s more than enough for me to recommend that you give TBG II a shot.
Giving the album a shot is made a lot easier when you can listen to the whole thing before you decide you want to own some or all of it…as you can below: (streaming player here). - OutWithTheKids.com, Jeff Bogle
The Baby Grands - 'The Baby Grands'
Kindie Rock from Atlanta
About.com Rating ****
By Warren Truitt, About.com
Courtesy Backspace Records
What do you get when a pediatric physical therapist, a singer/songwriter, and a record label co-owner meet? The Baby Grands!
The Band
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 Music
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.
Solid Debut
The Baby Grands' emphasis on harmonies, good songwriting, and humor help make their self-titled CD a great debut kids' album.
- About.com, Warren Truitt
The Baby Grands: "The Baby Grands II"
I was a fan of the Baby Grands from their first CD a couple of years back, but their new disc (they simply number their albums, in the classic rock tradition of bands such as Led Zeppelin and Van Halen) manages to outshine their previous effort. Starting straight from the catchy-cool opening track, "Hey!", the songs are a virtuoso display of alt-rock gusto. These guys shouldn't be surprised if the Barenaked Ladies decide to cover some of their tunes.
In terms of subject matter, there's great stuff about dinosaurs, robots and paper airplanes, but the Baby Grands also have the guts to sing about love in the sweet (but still rockin') "Pounding Heart." This is a flat-out great album.
- AOL ParentDish, Christopher Healy
More press available. - Varies
This debut CD is sure to become a classic among the “music-for-the-whole-family set.” The Baby Grands combine clever kindie lyrics and energetic pop/rock arrangements. Their vocal sound is smooth and warm, and the songs stand out because of their catchy melodic hooks and clever lyrics. The song “Pluto” addresses the idea of looking up into space and imagining who else lives out there. “Diggin’ a Hole to China” describes the fantasy of digging a hole in your backyard to reach China. To a child, nothing seems so far away. - Parenthood.com
The Baby Grand’s self-titled debut album is a low-key and lovely example of just how good children’s music can be. Conceived by an Atlanta group of dads as a kids’ album that parents could not only tolerate but enjoy, the Backspace Records recording is laidback rock for the whole family, a refreshing Disney-musical free oasis for the pre-k set. The Grands sound like a chilled out combination of Jack Johnson and They Might be Giants, singing whimsical but blissfully schmaltz-free lyrics about surfers, road trips, and the energy-enhancing properties of sweets (see “Sugar Makes me Loco”). Other standout tracks include “Pluto,” a clever ode to our recently demoted smallest planet, the happy beach ballad of “Surfer Shake,” and the subtle sweetness of “Sleepy Lullaby.” They even manage to slip a little bit of educational content in: “Why is it W” is the most charming alphabet song I’ve heard since my own juice box days. Parents, if you’re convinced you’ll go insane if you listen to the “Lion King” soundtrack one more time on the way to school, pick up The Baby Grands and expose your kids to some real music.
Faine Greenwood - Faine, Greenwood, Whereyaat.com
And one for the kids that mom and dad can enjoy too:
The Baby Grands
TBG
Backspace Records
Children’s music isn’t as easy as some might think. It’s about more than a catchy ditty (though you need that). Kids will spot a fake and walk away from something that doesn’t fully engage them. While I’ve never caught The Baby Grands live, the studio tunes are short (another criteria for the best kids’ stuff) and playful, but never forced, including “Wet Nosed Friend,” the Jimmy Buffett for children-styled “Sugar Makes Me Loco,” almost Beatleish “Panda Rock,” lighty bouncy “Surfer Shake,” and the calmdown double-shot “Sleep Lullaby” and “You Are Getting Very Sleepy,” which might work at bedtime. Nice.
Darryl Morden
Music Editor
Family Editor - Buzzline.com INDIE CD GRAB BAG
I had an opportunity to listen to the CD of The Baby Grands today. The Baby Grands is a musical trio based in Atlanta. Their members are Donn Todd, Ben Rowell and Marc Castelo. These guys came up with cool songs that are fun for both kids and adults. It is not the typical children's CD that drives parents crazy during a long car ride. I was listening to this CD with my daughter in my car and was pretty pleased with the music. My two daughters and I enjoyed listening every song that was on the CD. Our favorite song so far is called “Sugar Makes Me Logo”.
These guys are parents themselves so I think they really captured what other parents were looking for in children's music. The Baby Grands songs are fun & inspirational. I highly recommend this CD to the other moms and dads out there. If you would like to hear some samples, visit www.thebabygrands.com! In addition, a portion of The Baby Grands' CD profits will go towards organ donor organizations. I hope that everyone enjoys The Baby Grands as much as I do! Enjoy.
- Hipmommysplace.com
I'd like to thank Donny, Marc and Ben of Atlanta's The Baby Grands for helping to bring my heart rate down after another "we're late!", mad-dash to the car with the kids. Hearing their cool, Jack Johnson-esque musical style paired with smart, amusing lyrics on their self-titled debut kids' CD was just what we needed to find our happy place again.
Overall, I'd described their style as laid-back with a beat. From songs like Wet Nosed Friend with its playful reggae feel, to Diggin' a Hole to China, notable for its REM-like vocals, The Baby Grands CD is chock-full of memorable, original songs for kids that won't make adults reach for ear plugs. And my kids won't want to admit it, but the playful song Sugar Makes Me Loco is definitely true. If only their grandmother remembered this truth before she doled out the lollipops before bedtime.
Christina
- Coolmompicks.com
Why we love it: Smooth, mellow, groovy—this Atlanta trio’s CD would be equally appropriate for listening to while lounging on the beach or waiting out a rainy day in the living room. It’s upbeat without being raucous.
Take note: The tongue-in-cheek song, “Pluto,” laments the former planets demotion to dwarf status. - iVillage.com
Music for All
My Pick of the Week Wednesday: The Baby Grands
Their name gives you a clue as to the wit they posess and they use it in every single Jack Johnsonesque song. Somehow, this alternative rock trio from Atlanta makes songs about the alphabet and Pluto something any parent might enjoy singing along with in the car with no shame. This wonderfully relaxing, playfully written music will make you want to pop in The Baby Grands even when you're sans baby.
- Sterling and Topaz
The Baby Grands - 'The Baby Grands'
Kindie Rock from Atlanta
About.com Rating ****
By Warren Truitt, About.com
http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/..musicreviews/fr/babygrands.htm
Courtesy Backspace Records
What do you get when a pediatric physical therapist, a singer/songwriter, and a record label co-owner meet? The Baby Grands!
The Band
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 Music
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.
Solid Debut
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 - About.com
Discography
The Baby Grands II - November 16, 2010
The Baby Grands - December 16, 2008
Photos
Bio
THE BABY GRANDS CELEBRATE RELEASE OF SOPHOMORE ALBUM
AWARD WINNING KINDIE ROCKERS THE BABY GRANDS RETURN TO THE CHILDRENS/FAMILY MUSIC SCENE WITH THE BABY GRANDS II
The childrens/family rock band, The Baby Grands (TBG), released their second album November 16, 2010 on the independent record label Backspace Records distributed via The Orchard. A 2009 National Parenting Publication Award (NAPPA) winner, one of the most prestigious honors for childrens products, TBG are thrilled to offer the family entertainment community a new album produced and written by both Ben Rowell and Chuck Nash.
Front man singer songwriter Chuck Nash, a Musician Magazines Best Unsigned Artist and full time performer, lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Ben Rowell, an Atlanta resident who spent more than a decade as rhythm guitar player and songwriter for the Gainesville, Florida based band Big Sky, met several years ago while on the road. When they reconnected recently, the two found new joy in creating music together. Ten new songs, one new face, Ben Rowell smiles as he sums up The Baby Grands II, titled numerically a la Led Zeppelin, and his first family music collaboration with singer Chuck Nash. Ben and I were on the same page from the word go, explains Nash. We have a great symbiotic relationship, and even our studios compliment one anothers.
Coming off of the top five Sirius/XM Kids Place Live hit Why is it W? Ben wrote for the debut TBG record, Ben knew he had a lot more in the tank for this second go around, which led to a new adventure in writing The Baby Grands II. The duo teamed up for songwriting sessions via iChat, emailed recording files back and forth, traveled on weekends and survived many sleepless nights of recording to complete their new album. And in this slightly unconventional way The Baby Grands II was born.
TBGs new sound is an accessible combination of melody driven vocals and keyboard lines, thoughtful lyrics and big guitars from the seasoned industry rock n roll veterans. If Fountains of Wayne, The Barenaked Ladies and Tom Petty had a play date, The Baby Grands would also be invited. Chuck explains, We didnt set out to sound like anyone, and then we found ourselves with an opportunity to put variety of musical styles on one record. I think you can hear some Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, and even AC/DC influences in there as well. Starting with Hey! and ending with Goodbye, Ben and Chuck have penned a catchy and diverse mixture of songs sandwiched between the two creating a concept album of sorts.
For two accomplished performers and songwriters most people first ask, Why childrens music? That answer is simple to them. Chuck and Ben each have a little one that is the center of their respective worlds, much like music is. Chuck has a little girl and Ben has a little boy. Each is into writing creative, witty songs with their children as inspiration. Ben summarizes the experience by saying, Ive never had so much fun making music of any kind. While enlisting help from some of their friends like Rob Peck (George Jones) on harmonica, Eric Brigmond (Donovan Frankenreiter) on keyboards, Brian Homan (Vassar Clements) on pedal steel and Ken Nasta (Royal Trüx) on drums, Chuck and Ben have created a family album that they truly can be proud of.
About Backspace Records
Backspace Records is an independent record label with an assorted roster of artists including Real Blues Magazine Debut Album of the Year winner, Guitar Red (Billy Walls), former Big Sky front man singer songwriter, Mark Gaignard, and others. Backspace simply seeks to develop artists musically and give them a chance to succeed financially. The childrens/family genre is an exciting addition for the company. As with their other releases, a portion of the labels profits from The Baby Grands II will go towards organ donor organizations. All of Backspaces recordings are dedicated to the memory of Mack Lindsey, their friend, business partner and heart transplant recipient.
www.thebabygrands.com
www.backspacerecords.com
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