Review and Giveaway: Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande

Thank you to Monkey Monkey Music and Waldmania! for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

There's been somewhat of an explosion in the kindie music arena. Musicians are starting to realize that while we parents don't want to expose our kiddos to inappropriate material, we don't necessarily want to sacrifice the music we love in favor of a goofy purple dinosaur. But this can be a double-edged sword. Some artists become so focused on being "sophisticated" for adults that they lose sight of what appeals to tots. But one act is determined to put the "child back into children's music": Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande.

Meredith LeVande is what some refer to as the "Renaissance Woman of children's music". Survivor of a traumatic childhood, Meredith coped with her reality through song. After earning degrees in various disciplines such as Women's Studies, Law and Music, Meredith began her career on the college circuit. An impromptu performance of traditional children's songs before a crowd of families led her to her true calling as a children's musician. It was then the Monkey Monkey Music project was born.

Her 2005 debut children's album, Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande, became an instant hit, designated as a Parenting Magazine "pick" and receiving heavy airplay on Sirius Satellite Radio. Her second full-length children's CD, What Are the Odds?, is due out this month and promises to deliver the same charm and emotional
appeal that makes her intimate live shows so special.

Track Listing:

1. Hello (New)
2. What Are The Odds?
3. Shake It Loud
4. This Way, That Way
5. In The Garden
6. Wheels
7. Air Guitar
8. Frogs Eat Butterflies
9. Circle
10. Turn Your Body Around
11. Bubbles
12. Who's a Knockin'?
13. Silly Animal Friends
14. Guess What I Am
15. Willow Tree in the Wind
16. Goodbye (New)

What Are The Odds? is like preschool in a pint-sized package. Meredith LeVande merges the folk stylings of Lisa Loeb with the imagination and interaction of Laurie Berkner for a delighfully simple yet honest children's record.

From mathematics and dance to animal sounds and knock-knock jokes, Monkey Monkey Music keeps the tone educational but fun. My personal favorite is the clever title track, "What Are The Odds?", which makes it easier than ever to memorize odd numbers ("...one head...three strikes...five fingers...seven days of the weeks...nine planets..."). I also loved "In the Garden", which made me hungry enough to eat a rainbow and the Burt Bacharach-esque game of charades, "Guess What I Am".

Monkey Monkey Music will have your little monkey movin' and groovin'. And expanding that cranium too.

BUY IT: What Are The Odds? will be released on August 31, 2010 and will be available online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and www.monkeymonkeymusic.com. (ARV $14.99)

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

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Listen to the album track samples and tell me which song you like most. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

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

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

Tunes for your toddler - win What Are The Odds? from Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande @kris10chumley Ends 9/9 http://bit.ly/bK7neI

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

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Giveaway will end on September 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners 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 Elizabeth at Waldmania! to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review and solely my own. Your experience may differ.