Kids get enough!
Theres a school of thought that says journalism should refrain from the personal language and its an idea that this writer tends to agree with in most parts. In this instance though, all impartitality is out of the window and as long as you permit me the chance to delve into my own history for this review, then we'll get it over and done with all the faster.
The album 'Songs For The Young At Heart' is a ragtag collection of childhood memories and easy going melodies marshalled by Stuart Staples of Tindersticks fame. There is a growing trend for music for children, although this is unlikely to be nudging McFly or Pussycat Dolls off the kiddies crimbo lists but for the well-adjusted Indie parents, it may provide a starting point for shaping their kids musical awareness.
The most pressing reason to make this review of a more personal nature than should usually be encountered occurs near the end of the collection and sits back to back. There may not be many combinations of 'Mary, Mungo and Midge' and 'Puff The Magic Dragon' that would excite the readers of R13 but let me tell you, these were the cornerstones of some of the happiest and most traumatic experiences of my childhood.
I had a cassette (kids, ask your parents) which had a story version of 'Mary, Mungo and Midge' on it, a girl, her dog and their mouse who lived in a block of flats. I can't remember much about the storyline but there was a lot of travelling up and down in lifts, and the sound effects which went with it were a delight. The theme tune has been recreated here and it definitely sent me back and I suppose that's part of the wonder of this collection, snippets of your childhood being dragged back out in the open and making you realise that the same memories formed other peoples lives as well. Which if the memories are good, then its great but if they're bad, then its opening up a can of worms.
Which is why it saddens me to have Bonnie Prince Billy, an artist I like and respect highly, singing 'Puff The Magic Dragon.' It may sound silly but this song used to really upset me as a child, it was the most melancholic thing I had ever heard in my short life. The fact that a blooming kids song was one of the worst memories indicates I had a rather jolly childhood but even now, Mr. Oldhams soothing vocals can't reinvent the song to me, it still brings a tear to my inner child, perhaps all the rubbish stories that the song was about cannabis use put me off it. Everyone knows if someone is dreaming up dragons, its more likely that LSD or ketamine would be involved, not to mention the possibility of chasing the dragon but as this is a review of a children album, let leave it at that.
There is a sense of sadness throughout the whole record, perhaps playing for the adults and lamenting the loss of their childhood and as Stuart Murdoch croons through 'Florence's Sad Song', you can almost feel the heart breaking of the otherwise seemingly happy Magic Roundabout character.
The album excels where there are songs, when Cerys Mathews croaky yet real voice powers triumphantly or the version of 'Hushabye Mountain' lilts and eases its way through the listeners head, then this collection is extremely worthwhile and enjoyable. Its let down by the instrumental sections, which are too noodlings and ineffectual to have any great impression.
There is also a lack of upbeatness and humour on this album, and this can be successfully given for kids. If you get the opportunity, find a copy of Low's Alan Sparhawk's song 'Be Nice (To people with lice)' to see how quirky childish fun can be combined with a great backing track.
All in all, a nice collection that falls short of being an essential album. It only remains left to ask, why Bonnie Prince, why did you bring those memories back?