Saturday, June 18, 2011

recess monkey :: flying! {giveaway}


I’m not sure how many times my mother took her costumed children (most often a Ninja Turtle and Kitty Ballerina) to the grocery store, bank, or doctor’s office - I only know that, somewhere, there are pictures to prove it. To say we had vivid imaginations would be an understatement, so I was pretty excited when offered the chance to preview Recess Monkey’s latest studio album, Flying!, which releases this Tuesday, June 21st.

Flying! is an homage to the power of make-believe. Without patronizing, the band (three school teachers from Seattle) creates music to which children are easily able to relate. The toe-tapping title track, “Flying”, perfectly captures the mindset of a pint-sized super hero, able to soar above the trees and save the day thanks to the magical transformation provided by a cape. “Toolbox” brilliantly describes a child’s fascination with moving parts and and desire to “fix” things just like Dad. My personal favorite “Invisible Friend” is a sweet conversation between a little boy and his invisible friend, who is no less real just because others can’t see her.

Elements in each track reminded me of my 4-year-old nephew - everything from his child-size table and chairs at “Grandmom’s House” to his pet fish and eager anticipation of “Flapjacks” for breakfast. The adorable 50s doo-wop styled “Bunk Beds” could have been written by a 6-year-old version of myself - proudly sleeping on the top bunk with my younger brother below.

Flying! adeptly mixes slower songs with more uptempo numbers, and, unlike many children’s recordings, the musical styles of the songs are quite diverse. These guys aren’t just making goofy kids’ music - they’re genuine musicians! I was able to listen while driving without reaching for the “off” knob, which, in my opinion, is really important. It takes talent to create an album of children’s music that both adults and kids can identify with, and I believe Recess Monkey’s latest collection of “kindie rock” has done just that!

Follow Recess Monkey on Facebook for the latest news and tour information!



Recess Monkey’s albums (including Flying!, to be released this Tuesday, June 21st) are available on Amazon.com, CDbaby.com, and iTunes.

Flying! by Recess Monkey :: $15.00

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One SIMPLE reader will win this CD to add to your collection (open to U.S. and Canada only). Here is how to enter - be sure to leave a comment for each entry separately:

• Tell me your favorite childhood costume OR the name of your imaginary friend (Required Entry)
• "Like" this post by clicking that little blue button at the bottom (be sure you're signed into Facebook!) SO EASY!
• "Like" Recess Monkey and SIMPLE on Facebook
• Post a status on your Facebook hyper linking SIMPLE and Recess Monkey. Be sure to link to our giveaway!
• Follow @simplereviews on Twitter and send some twitter love. Tweet something like this (daily
tweets allowed) :: Get your kindie rock on! #Win the newest Recess Monkey CD over at @simplereviews: http://tiny.cc/zp8e3
• Sign up for SIMPLE updates - enter your email address in the left sidebar on SIMPLE
• Publicly follow SIMPLE via Google Friend Connect

Winner will be randomly chosen on July 2, 2011. Please reference Giveaway Rules at the top of the page before entering.

ERINSIMPLESIGNATURE*I was provided the CD shown above to conduct this review using personal experience. The opinions expressed are my own.*

31 comments:

  1. Honestly, literally my ONLY childhood costumes consisted of prairie boots, pantaloons, skirts, aprons, bonnets... I was always going back and forth between Anne Shirley (of Green Gables) and Laura Ingalls (on the Prairie). Yessir, and I still do. ;)

    mjbc07 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Van Doo was an imaginary friend
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. like this post
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. like them and you on fb
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. gfc follower
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. email subscriber
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I didn't have much of a childhood, but I've made up for it with my daughter. She always loved (and still does!!) to dress up. She loved esp to dress up like animals...she had a fantastic hand-sewn raccoon costume that she wore almost daily until it was about 3 sizes too small. :-)

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Liked this post.

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Liked Recess Monkey on facebook

    Already like SIMPLE

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Status

    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001885840241

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Following & tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/bensgirl4ever

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. currently signed up for emails

    ltothe3rd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Loved dressing up like Cinderella or Snow White.. I know soo boring.. :P

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't remember dressing up that much or having an imaginary friend!
    shmilgah at yahoo.com
    aj

    ReplyDelete
  15. I liked the post.
    shmilgah at yahoo.com
    aj

    ReplyDelete
  16. Email subscriber
    shmilgah at yahoo.com
    aj

    ReplyDelete
  17. GFC follower
    shmilgah at yahoo.com
    aj

    ReplyDelete
  18. My favorite costume was this blue dress that I thought made me look like Alice in Wonderland.

    I don't remember having an imaginary friend, but Kermit the Frog was my hero. lol

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. liked the post on fb - erin n r

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. like you and recess monkey on fb -erin n r

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. follow you on twitter and retweeted -eringwald

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. email subscriber

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I loved dressing up with a cape!
    hungrymonkey09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Like you both on facebook (Nina Hi)
    hungrymonkey09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Follow you on twitter (hungrymonkey09)
    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/hungrymonkey09/status/87157191747977216
    hungrymonkey09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Follow you on GFC (Nina H)
    hungrymonkey09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. My favorite costume was a Punk Rocker when I was about 8. It had a blue metallic wig and all, haha!
    sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Liked this review on FB
    Jessica King
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Liked Both of you on FB
    Jessica King
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Following on Twitter @JessicaSvitak
    Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/JessicaSvitak/status/87168868442836992
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. GFC follower
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting us at SIMPLE!