Laurie Berkner, Another Local Making Great Kids’ Tunes
Laurie Berkner, another shining example of New York’s progressive, adult-friendly children’s rock scene, may have outdone her peers with this cute and versatile album. A pretty acoustic-rock vibe ties the tunes together, while smatterings of choir, chimes, banjo, and a willingness to experiment with everything from samba to ska give the songs a tireless edge. The liner notes include a treasure-hunt game and the complete lyrics — a rare instance where the packaging is almost as fun as the product.

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