Tag Archives: The Not-Its

Fids & Kamily 2016 & Best of the Decade

For those of you new to family music, Fids & Kamily is a yearly poll that compiles the lists of the year’s favorite kids and family music. Music bloggers, radio hosts, etc. They keep letting me vote, so I keep voting. And a couple weeks ago they released the results.

Before we take a look at 2016, let’s take a look back at the last 10 years.

2006-2015-fids-and-kamily

Here is how the committee vetted out.

Here’s a look at my “Best of the Decade” ballot:

1. Dan Zanes and Friends – Catch That Train!
2. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – A Potluck
3. Justin Roberts – Jungle Gym
4. The Pop Ups – Radio Jungle
5. The Okee Dokee Brothers – Can You Canoe?
6. Gustafer Yellowgold – Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock
7. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Underground Playground
8. Frances England – Mind of My Own
9. Caspar Babypants – Sing Along!
10. They Might Be Giants – Here Come the 123s
11. The Deedle Deedle Dees – Strange Dees, Indeed
12. Josh and the Jamtones – Rocksteady
13. Lori Henriques – The World Is a Curious Place To Live
14. Dan Zanes and Friends – Little Nut Tree
15. Justin Roberts – Lullaby
16. Recess Monkey – The Final Funktier
17. The Not-Its – Raise Your Hand
18. Various Artists – Science Fair
19. Medeski, Martin & Wood – Let’s Go Everywhere
20. Ozomatli – Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz

And now for 2016. Here’s how the panel of judges voted.

Here is my 2016 Fids & Family ballot:

1. Frances England – Explorer of the World
2. The Okee Dokee Brothers – Saddle Up: A Western Adventure Album
3. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Infinity Plus One
4. Sonia De Los Santos – Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island
5. Dean Jones – In My Dreams
6. The Not-Its! – Are You Listening?
7. Moona Luna – Panorama
8. Sugar Free Allstars – Sugar Free Allstars
9. The Deedle Deedle Dees – Sing-A-Long History Vol. 2: The Rocket Went Up!
10. Mista Cookie Jar – Music Is Everywhere

If you haven’t already, please take a listen to some of these wonderful records and support independent music for families. 

VIDEO PREMIERE: The Not-Its! – Dance With Me

ee63cc7e-ce97-4934-a469-e46963e57077photo credit: Mike Hipple

Seattle’s The Not-Its! ask a simple question with the name of their new record: Are You Listening?

If you’re not, you should be.

After a rare 2 year break between records, The Not-Its!

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are back with a vengeance, full of absurdly catchy pop-punk grooves. Despite an incredible burst of creative energy – releasing their 6th record in 7 years(!

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) – The Not-Its! are not short on ideas. The band’s sharp and witty lyrics with strong vocals by lead singers Sarah Shannon (Velocity Girl) and Danny Adamson are on full display with Are You Listening?. Songs like “Grandad is a Spy” “Don’t Fear The Dentist” and “Traffic Jam” (which channels Rocket From The Crypt) are just a blast of energy.

Dadnabbit is proud to premiere the video for the first single, “Dance With Me”. The multi-plane video was directed by Chris Looney (who provides insight on the video creation process)

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Are You Listening? will be released Feb 19th and is available for pre-order from Amazon or straight from the band. Starting February 3rd you can pre-order the album on iTunes.

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If you happen to live in NYC or Seattle, the band has upcoming shows:
Symphony Space in NYC on Saturday, January 23rd.
The Vera Project in Seattle on Sunday, February 21.

Fids And Kamily 2013

Really, it’s that time of year already? Time flies and here I am in mid-October talking about the years best albums. For this year, the time frame was tweaked and our top 10 list was to include family music released between 11-1-12 and 9-30-13.

I am lucky enough to be included with 26 other judges that make up Fids & Kamily group. Follow the link, read the winners and then come back.

The winners for the 2013 Kids & Family music awards are………

Done looking at the list? Good, now go get some of those albums.

And this is where I scream WHY DIDN’T ANYBODY TELL ME THE WATSON TWINS RELEASED A FAMILY RECORD!!!!

For what it’s worth, here was the ballot I submitted:

1. Justin Roberts – Recess
2. Paul Spring – Home of Song
3. Alastair Moock – Singing our Way Through
4. Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble – I like everything about you (Yes I do)
5. The Not-Its! – KidQuake
6. Moona Luna – Vamos, Let’s Go!
7. Lloyd H. Miller – SS Brookyln
8. Lucky Diaz – Fantastico
9. Lori Henriques – The world is a curious place to live
10. Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell – Turn, Turn, Turn.

And honestly, I could have filled out this ballot 10 times and arrived to 10 different lists. Leaving Dean Jones off? That hurt. The Verve Pipe once bought me a steak dinner in Omaha. Don’t I owe them a spot on the Top 10?

Stayed tuned in December for my Jan 1- Dec 31st best of 2013 list as there will be some additions to this top 10 list that were released after October 1st. (I’m looking at you Josh & The Jamtones)