Synthpop is a genre where the synthesizer plays the lead role. It’s supposed to sound mechanical and electronic and almost artificial. It’s a pretty far cry from classic rock and that’s why I think younger kids will appreciate the sound. When you hear the word synthpop I’m sure most of you are thinking Depeche Mode. That’s too easy a choice, so without further ado here are the top synthpop songs to listen to with your kids.
In 1986 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released “If You Leave” and it hit #4 on Billboard’s 100. The best part about playing this song for your kids is that will remind you about watching John Hughes’ (who was a huge synthpop fan) Pretty in Pink film. Hear those first few synthesizer notes when the song starts? That’s classic synthpop.
Every band has had a song called “Forever Young”, but not everyone has had Jay-Z sample it. The German synthpop group was originally called Forever Young but changed their name to Alphaville early on. The track is the title song off their 1984 debut album. You can hear the eerie synthesizer at the start of the song that sets the ominous (and somewhat creepy) mood.
In 1977 The Human League formed in Sheffield, England. In 1981 they released the triple platinum album Dare which included “Don’t You Want Me,” a Billboard hot 100 chart topper. Listen to those artificial sounds at the start of the song. Kids will also dig the back and forth of the two opposing memories of a relationship. The video also has great subtle 80’s effects like staggered zooms and obvious mood lighting.
Why is it that synthpop was so big in Europe? A-ha was a Norwegian band formed in 1982 and they had one big hit off their debut album Hunting High and Low. One of the reasons “Take On Me” became such a hit was because of the original comic like video which kids will dig.
Yes, it was the first video played on MTV, but the song actually dates back to 1979, a much earlier time for synthpop than these other songs. The song was so big it hit #1 in 16 different countries. The lyrics are rather fitting too since they talk about how kids don’t remember the past with all their new technological advances.
Before you head out with the kiddies to trick or treat, here are some other opportunities to take advantage of your sweet tooth:
This Friday, October 29, IHOP will be offering one of its Scary Face Pancakes free of charge to kids ages 12 and under. Not familiar with this holiday treat? It’s their signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini Oreo cookies and candy corn on the side. These tasty creations will be available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating IHOP restaurants nationwide, so get them while they last.
And if you’re in the metro NYC area this weekend and looking to scare up some spooktacular treats, head over to the Limelight Marketplace on 6th Avenue at 20th Street. Kids will have a chance to meet their favorite costumed storybook characters like Madeline and Curious George, sample some delicious delicacies at the Butterfly Bake Shop, Baci Gelato, The Cupcake Stop and take part in a costume conga line parade. There will also be Halloween storytelling and twisty balloon animals to take home. This event will be held on Sunday, October 31 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Hope to see you there!
If your kids are bugging you to carve that pumpkin already and they’ve consumed enough candy corn to last them through Christmas, let them come off their sugar high by taking in some new TV shows that will get them in the spirit—and off your back. Beginning October 25, PBS Kids is introducing its Halloween line-up featuring everyone’s favorites, like Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog, along with new episodes of Martha Speaks, Arthur and More. Below is a sampling of what’s in store. Check your local listings for air dates and times.
CURIOUS GEORGE – “Creatures of the Night”
George thought it was odd that all the food was gone from the bird feeder in a single night. Who or what is eating it all? Could the small animal tracks be a clue? Determined to solve the mystery George stays up all night and finds a baby possum that has lost his family. The two set off on a night journey to find the possum’s home and meet some other nocturnal animals (and some very tired “day animals”!) on the way.
DINOSAUR TRAIN –”Night Train”
Dad, Buddy and Tiny take a special ride on the Dinosaur Train at night, learning about animals that are active after dark, culminating at the Big Pond for a nature walk under the full moon.
MARTHA SPEAKS – “Scaredy Cat”
To escape a storm, the kids and dogs retreat into the Boxwood’s house. TD, Alice, and Helen decide to tell spooky stories to pass the time. But as spooky things start happening in the house, they wonder if their stories might be a little too real.
SUPER WHY! – “The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Halloween”
It’s Halloween in Storybrook Village and Pig is so frightened, he won’t go Trick or Treating with his friends! The Super Readers pay a storybook visit to Little Ghost, who’s a bit of a scaredy cat himself, to teach him there’s more to Halloween than meets the eye!
“A Kooky Spooky Halloween” – The WordFriends get their share of scares the night before Halloween, when Pig sleepwalks and everyone thinks he’s a ghost!
“Sheep’s Halloween Costume” – It’s Halloween – Sheep’s favorite day of the year. Sheep likes nothing more than to dress up, so she always goes out of her way to make herself a special costume. But what will she do when her WordFriends need pieces of her costume for their own costumes?
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG – “Boo”
It’s Scary Movie night on Birdwell Island. Does anything scare Jetta and Mac? Not much, except maybe for the Ghost Dog of Birdwell Island.
BARNEY & FRIENDS – “Guess Who?” / “Sweet Treats”
“Guess Who?” – BJ and Baby Bop decide to get Halloween celebrations underway with a costume party. But when it comes to picking costumes, Riff™ just can’t decide! That night, as the festivities get underway, Riff makes a grand entrance proudly wearing a costume that suits him perfectly!
“Sweet Treats” – Barney and his friends go trick-or-treating in the park. One of Barney’s friends discovers all his candy is gone…he has a hole in his bag! BJ shares his candy and everyone learns how nice it is to share with friends!
ARTHUR – “Falafelosophy”
At the urging of guest-star author Neil Gaiman (“Coraline,” “The Graveyard Book”) Sue Ellen tries her hand at writing and illustrating a graphic novel. When Sue Ellen needs inspiration and encouragement, she turns to Neil – who pops up in unexpected places! – and to the philosophy lessons of her local falafel vendor!
Every year on Halloween weekend, New Orleans gets rocking with the VooDoo Experience, a three day festival like most other music festivals except this one has the distinct flavor of New Orleans. Combine the location with some great music and the Halloween flair, and you’ve got one heck of a party. This year the Experience will feature Muse, Ozzy Osbourne, My Morning Jacket, Drake, Weezer, MGMT and Florence + The Machine. The festival does a good job of tying in artists to the weekend itself – I mean, what’s better than seeing Ozzy on Halloween weekend? Last year they had KISS with full make-up and pyrotechnics.
Now, you might be thinking “this is only for adults!” Well, the organizers have set up a VooBoo area that is aimed at kids. The website says that they will “incorporate music, art and crafts, education and ketchup!” There’s a rock star hair salon, hula hoop and hacky sac lessons, face painting, t-shirt silk screening, and, of course, live music. If parents have a three-day pass to the festival, kids under ten can enter for free. So check out VooDoo and VooBoo this year. Aside from some great bands, there will also be local musicians providing some great local flavor. Speaking of flavor, be sure to eat a lot while you’re there – New Orleans food is like nothing you will find anywhere else.
No, this is no trick…call it a double treat, if you will. Two new kids’ albums have released their little ditties in honor of Halloween, each with its own very unique sound.
From Jamie Broza’s “I Want a Dog!” CD (Good Mood Records), “Trick or Treat” has a pumping rock beat and is so chock-full of scary sound effects like thunder crashing and bats flapping their wings, that trick-or-treaters may think your house is haunted. It’s the perfect soundtrack for answering the door on October 31. And with kids’ voices chanting the song’s title over and over, you’ll find yourself reaching for the candy bowl instinctively.
On the flip side, Justin Roberts’ version from his Jungle Gym CD (Justin Roberts Music) offers up a thumping guitar and toe-tapping track that transports listeners to a kid’s neighborhood jaunt on All Hallow’s Eve. The lyrics are especially catchy, so don’t blame us if you start singing along: “Everyone’s outside, bags are open wide, Cuz we’re ready to trick-or-trick-or-trick-or-trick-or treat!/ Falling leaves will soar, we’ll go door to door, Cuz we’re ready to trick-or-trick-or-trick-or-trick-or treat!”
Let us know which one is your favorite, and have a Happy Halloween!
Since emerging from Seattle at the dawn of the 1990s as standard bearers of the grunge movement, Pearl Jam have sold more than 30 million albums in the U.S. and some 60 million around the globe. Admired for their truly independent musical spirit, integrity and activism, they’ve become genuine rock superstars.
Hailed by All Music Guide as “the most popular American rock ‘n’ roll band of the ‘90s,” Pearl Jam will now conquer new generations. Lullaby Renditions of Pearl Jam transforms their greatest hits into sweet and soothing instrumentals ideal for little rockers.
Description:
Are new baby’s cries turned up to ten? Need an alternative to the nightly riot act? When it’s you vs. them, these sweet lullaby renditions of Pearl Jam’s rock anthems are as comforting as a warm flannel blanket. Just breathe, Mom and Dad–it’s sleeptime in Seattle.
Are new baby’s cries turned up to ten? Need an alternative to the nightly riot act? When it’s you vs. them, these sweet lullaby renditions of Pearl Jam’s rock anthems are as comforting as a warm flannel blanket. Just breathe, Mom and Dad–it’s sleeptime in Seattle.
If you’ve had your fair share of The Great Pumpkin and would rather not sit through yet another Harry Potter flick, it’s time to return to some oldies, but goodies in the Halloween genre. So, pop some popcorn, grab a comfy seat and get ready for some “spooktacular” viewing. Here are our top 5 picks, again. See our first article of Top Classic Kid-Friendly Halloween DVDs.
5. Ghostbusters
Your kids should know why the catchphrase ‘Who ya gonna call?’ still lives on. This movie gets bonus points for coining “I’ve been slimed!”…long before the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards made it fashionable.
4. Edward Scissorhands
A landmark film that put Johnny Depp in a class by himself. We don’t know what we like best: the candy-colored American suburban setting or Scissorhands’ incredible er….handiwork on the neighbors’ shrubbery.
3. Beetlejuice
When a couple of ghosts set out to scare new home owners, mischief and hilarious antics undoubtedly ensue. We still get a chuckle every time Michael Keaton utters this movie’s title.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
The title may be deceiving because this memorable stop-action flick pays homage to spooks and spirits—not Santa Claus. Tim Burton and friends deliver a unique story that reveals what happens when the King of Halloweentown experiences Christmas.
1. Monsters, Inc
Little ones will delight in the reversal of power in this Disney flick that has the scary guys afraid of a small child. This is one place that knows how to “scare up” business.
Children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba, a group that often brings indie rockers or other musicians on their show to perform and participate in various fun activities for kids, has hit the road recently. While the core group of odd animals, plants, and whatever else those characters happen to be are along for the ride, depending on the city and who’s around they’ve had some bands stop by their shows as well.
Mostly recently, Broken Social Scene stopped by to show the crowd how to do some crazy dance moves:
Check out when Snoop showed up at the LA show to show the kids how to do the same dance:
In Dallas, Erykah Badu showed up:
And so did Biz Markie:
In NYC Dinosaur Jr showed up:
In Toronto, the Aquabats showed up:
Yo Gabba Gabba is currently on a massive tour, get your tickets now:
10/02 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/03 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/05 – Hershey, PA @ Hershey Theater
10/06 – Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare
10/08 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
10/09 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
10/10 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
10/11 – Louisville, KY @ The Palace Theatre
10/13 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
10/15 – Richmond, VA @ Landmark Theater
10/16 – Greensboro, NC @ War Memorial Auditorium
10/17 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
10/19 – Chattanooga, TN @ Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
10/20 – Huntsville, AL @ Von Braun Center
10/21 – Nashville, TN @ Jackson Hall – Tennessee PAC
10/23 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
10/24 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
10/27 – Jacksonville, FL @ Moran Theatre at Times Union Center
10/29 – Kissimmee, FL @ Silver Spurs Arena
10/30 – Tampa, FL St. @ Pete Times Forum
10/31 – Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
11/02 – Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
11/03 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre
11/05 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
11/06 – Kansas City, MO @ The Midland
11/07 – Denver, CO @ 1st Bank Center
11/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The E Center
11/12 – Spokane, WA @ INB Performing Arts Center
11/13 – Seattle, WA @ Tacoma Dome
11/14 – Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum
11/15 – Eugene, OR @ Hult Center
11/18 – Sacramento, CA @ Memorial Auditorium
11/20 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theater
11/27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theater
11/28 – San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
12/04 – Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theater
12/05 – Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theater
12/07 – El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theater
12/09 – San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum
12/10 – Houston, TX @ Hobby Center
12/11 – Austin, TX @ Cedar Park Center
12/12 – Dallas, TX @ Dr Pepper Arena
Sure the eighties gave us a lot of fluffy pop songs with synthesizers but they also gave us hair bands. The glam metal genre began in Los Angeles on the Sunset Strip, and to hear Vince Neil tell it, it was started by Motley Crue. Regardless of the name, the power chord-based heavy sound is perfect for kids to jump around to, and because of the outrageous hair, most of the videos are perfect for a good laugh thirty years after the fact. Here are the must haves for the glam metal kid.
The Scorpians – Rock You Like a Hurricane
The track is off the 1984 album, Love at First Sting by the German rock band, the Scorpions. It reached number 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and has become a staple at sporting events. The music is enough to get your kids interested in hearing the track, but the best part is really the chorus. “Here I am, rock you like a hurricane.” It’s a silly statement that seems to sound so important because of the magnitude of the rock music behind it.
Lita Ford – Kiss Me Deadly
Lita Ford’s (formerly of The Runaways) hit would come later in the hair invasion, 1988 to be exact, but it’s a perfect glam metal song. If you think that only guys can do the hair metal look, check out Lita’s tresses on the album cover. This girl was born for this era. You might want to skip the first ten seconds of the song since there is a lewd reference.
Night Ranger – Sister Christian
The song was released by Night Ranger in 1984. It was written and sung by the band’s drummer, Kelly Keagy for his sister Christy. He was shocked at how fast she was growing up and penned this track. It’s got a great shift from a slow ballad to a full out arena rock sound.
Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It
If there’s one song that defines hair metal glam rock, it’s this one by Twisted Sister. One look at lead singer Dee Snider and you know not to take these guys too seriously. The 1984 song also had a hit comical video. Listen to the simple lyrics and while it might sound like a rebellious song it comes off as just a fun rock song.
No, this is no trick…call it a double treat, if you will. Two new kids’ albums have released their little ditties in honor of Halloween, each with its own very unique sound.
