Review and Giveaway: Starfish Enter Sandbox CLOSED

Father's Day is just around the bend in T-11 days. If your husband is anything like mine, he's a classic rock fiend. He may have been born in 1979 but his musical tastes span a decade before him. Unfortunately, much of the subject matter in his favorite songs is wildly inappropriate for a toddler. As a result, he's had to limit his 70's rock compilations to his solo car rides. Parenthood is all about sacrifices, right? Well, thanks to a not-so-little band called Starfish, he and Nate can now jam together.

New Jersey-based Starfish is a quintet of dads and lifelong musicians who set out four years ago to create family-friendly rock anthems for a new generation. There's StingRay on lead vocals and guitar, Grateful Dave on drums and vocals, Moose on lead guitar, Dr. Yes on keyboard and vocals, and AntFarm on bass. (How catchy are those names?) Their first CD, Starfish Rocks!, garnered rave reviews from Cookie Magazine and drew thousands to their Northeast live shows, which include a mosh pit, air guitar, light show and streaming fog and bubbles. Their sophomore release, Enter Sandbox (a tongue-in-cheek nod to rock supergroup Metallica), was released June 1st on the new family music label WorldSound Kids, and promises to deliver a rock vibe that will delight even the most jaded family concertgoer.

Track Listing:

1. The Starfish Stomp
2. My Name Is No
3. Spread Your Wings
4. Bike
5. Sick Day
6. Elephant
7. Time Out
8. Rhymes
9. Joshua's Treehouse
10. Learning to Rock
11. My Boy
12. Little Willy

These guys single-handedly change the scope of "kindie" music. Their brand of pure, progressive rock is a refreshing alternative to the overdone folk-pop scene. The riffs from these seasoned pros are sophisticated - not watered down. The only thing elementary on this album are the child-friendly lyrics, with topics from treehouses and time-outs, to sick days and dance moves. Seriously, if they can manage to transform a cover about nightclubbing from 70's glam band Sweet into a kids' song, they're musical geniuses.

Personally, my favorite tracks were the funkadelic "My Name Is No", which reminded me of both Jimi Hendrix and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the sonic "Spread Your Wings", which brought to mind Pink Floyd, and the garage punk-rock ode to "Rhymes". But I also have a soft spot for the father-son ballad "My Boy", which would touch any Dad's heart. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn the latter was performed by Neil Young or Phish. Nate's favorite was opening track, "The Starfish Stomp", which coincidentally will be featured on the upcoming summer release from the award-winning Putumayo Kids series, Rock and Roll Playground.

The musical influences run rampant on the album, with many being referenced indirectly in the song "Learning to Rock". Stray Cats, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen, Foreigner and Grand Funk Railroad just to name a few. (I must admit I giggled out loud at the AC/DC "highway to...HEY!" exchange.) However, Starfish doesn't pigeonhole themselves completely into hard rock. There are some excursions into reggae ("Sick Day") and pop-rock ("Elephant") that are equally brilliant.

Mommy isn't embarrassed to blare this album on the stereo, even when Nate isn't around. If you want to recapture your youth responsibly, you'll love rockin' out with Starfish.

Bottom line: Daddy gets genuine classic rock. Baby Boy gets kid-friendly content. It's win-win! Count us in!

BUY IT: You can purchase Starfish's Enter Sandbox online right now at Amazon.com (ARV $9.98).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a copy of this awesome album!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me your favorite classic rock band. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Classic rock jams the whole family will love! Enter to #win Starfish's Enter Sandbox @kris10chumley ENDS 6/24 http://bit.ly/aCU8hd

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Starfish on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Sign up for the Starfish newsletter and tell me the email address you used. Bonus: You'll also get a free download! (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on June 24, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from Beth at Sugar Mountain PR to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are purely mine. Your experience may differ.