Author Archives: Dan Walsh

About Dan Walsh

Milwaukee via Nebraska. Marquette Alum. Father. Music. Running. Beer. You can follow me on Twitter: @dwalsh76

DVD Review & Giveaway: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Space Adventure

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As the parent of a two year old, it should come as no surprise that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a morning staple in our household.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure has been available on my cable’s “OnDemand” feature for a month or two now, but it’s finally getting a proper DVD release.

Space Adventure follows the usual cast of characters as they launched into orbit to find a treasure in space.  Since they’re off in space, they run into alternate universe versions of characters with Martian Mickey, Pluto from Pluto and Moon Men Chip & Dale — plus Space Pirate Pete (my daughter’s favorite) and his helper, Quoodles, a female Toodles.

As with most Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes, it kept my daughter enthralled the entire time.

While Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure doesn’t break any new ground, it is still a fine edition to any Disney DVD collection. With Christmas right around the corner, this is a no-brainer for a stocking stuffer for children ages 2 to 5.

Added perk: The bonus material on the DVD features a brand new episode called “Goofy’s Thinking Cap,” which my daughter enjoyed just as much, if not more than Space Adventure.

Details: Space Adventure comes with two discs (DVD + Digital copy for your iPad/pod/phone, etc.) Dolby digital sound and it comes in three languages – English, Spanish and French.  Total run time is 70+ minutes with Space Adventure running 45 minutes in length.

Bonus: You can win a copy of the DVD! How: Simply ‘Like’ this post on Facebook or RT this post on Twitter and you are entered to win. We’ll pick a winner on Friday. Good Luck!

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CD Review: Ozomatli – Happy Feet Two: The Videogame

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Anytime I have ever told a friend about Ozomatli I always add that “They’re the best live band I have ever seen. ” I have yet to see a band capture the raw, live energy that Ozomatli produces on stage from start to finish. Hailing from Los Angeles, Ozomatli is a melting pot of music genres: salsa, funk, hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and so much more. So it was with great excitement when I saw earlier this year that they were going to be making childrens music under the moniker Ozokids. However, the soundtrack for Happy Feet Two: The Videogame is not Ozokids, rather Ozomatli.

Since the goal of the video game is “use the player’s rhythm to bring the Antarctic landscape to life. Use dance moves to stun enemies and help recruit other penguins to join the cause.” The pairing of Ozomatli is almost too perfect, they’ve been making music that has made people move for 15+ years.  This soundtrack is no different. “Get On The Dance Floor” was put on repeat after my daughter’s first listen. It took us at least 4 more listens until we could move on to the equally infectious “Flip Flap”. Not to judge, but if you can’t dance around the house to this album with your kids, you’ve got issues.

As they do with most of their albums, this one is bilingual with a mix of English and Spanish songs. “Bailar Pinguino” (Dancing Penguin) and “Mas Campana” (More Bell) are two and you better believe “Mas Campana” features some cowbell.  Even the opening track “Dynamite” goes back and forth between English & Spanish. The album is full of all original tracks, except a cover of Basement Jaxxs’ “Do Your Thing.”

If Ozokids is anything like what they feed our ears on Happy Feet Two: The Videogame, parents and kids are in for a real treat in 2012.

If you are on spotify, you can listen to the album here.

Track list:
1. Dynamite
2. Get On The Dance Floor
3. Flip Flap
4. Bailar Pinguino
5. Go Crazy
6. Are You Ready?
7. Scatman
8. Your Hand In Mine
9. Penguin’s Life (feat. Lil P’nut)
10. Do Your Thing
11. Happy Bird
12. Mas Campana

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CD Review: The Deedle Deedle Dees, “Strange Dees, Indeed”

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Are the Deedle Deedle Dees the smartest band in the kindie music scene? Possibly.  I once heard Queensryche called “Egghead Bang” for writing rock music that was far smarter than what any of their counterparts were doing. The same applies to the Deedle Deedle Dees. “Egghead Kindie” could easily describe their new their album Strange Dees, Indeed. It’s an eclectic mix of smart songs with anything but your traditional topics used in kids music.

It’s not every day that a kids record comes to your desk with a song called “River of Blood.” Of course, the song is about your circulatory system, and the chorus is catchy all get out. “The River of Blood keeps on flowin’ / The River of Blood keeps on going.”

Musically, the band displays a mix of old school traditional music of ragtime, blues, jazz, swing and numerous others. “The Golem” is a klezmer-style song that will have you singing “Listen to the big feet go bum! bum! That’s the sound of the Golem when he comes” at random parts of the day. The chorus is so good, it gets stuck in your head after the first listen.

Songs about Abigail Adams, Marie Curie and Sacagawea are other topics included on Strange Dees, Indeed. Ever heard of Phineas Gage before? Neither had I, but that didn’t stop the Dees from writing a song about him. Cliff Notes version: He survived an accident in which a large iron rod was driven completely through his head, destroying much of his brain’s left frontal lobe.  Like I said, not your typical kids’ music fare.

Strange Dees, Indeed is different, unique and impossible not to fall in love with.

This album is geared towards older kids; most of the lyrical content will fly over the head of kids under four years old. Curious about how these songs came about and interested in helping educate your kids on the topics covered in the songs? Read with your kids, straight from the band, plus lyrics right here.

Buy the new CD, straight from their site. Listen to the tracks below.

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