Various Artists

Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is...Awesome!

Hit Songs from the Hit Show

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Record Review by Kevan Peterson

“Annoyingly catchy” are perhaps the best words I can use to describe the music of Yo Gabba Gabba.  If you’re over the age of five and not on heavy drugs, then there may not be much use for this album in your day to day life but it is oddly amusing nonetheless.  I have had the fortune of seeing Yo Gabba Gabba live not once, but twice and each time I found myself smiling at the odd sight of large neon monsters bouncing around to what is obviously pre-recorded music.  Songs like “Party in My Tummy,” “Try It, You’ll Like It,” and “I Like to Dance,” are repetitive and silly and, of course, that is all part of their charm. “Get The Sillies Out” is destined to become a classic children’s song with its simple excuse to jump around and play. 

Other life lessons include “Don’t Be Afraid,” which teaches kids to say hello to people that are “different” than them, including worms, and “Just Because It’s Different Doesn’t Mean It’s Scary,” which teaches kids to try new things.  “Bubbles,” which sounds like it’s being sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks, doesn’t really teach kids anything other than bubbles pop.  Parents be warned: track “Go Crazy Remix” almost guarantees that your kids will run around and destroy the house, so make sure to put them in a padded room before playing this tune.

A few name bands make an appearance on the album as well, all with kid-friendly messages infused into the tracks.  The Shins contribute “It’s Ok, Try Again,” a song they seem to have nailed on the first try.  “Robo Dancing,” a short minute and a half tune by Money Mark, uses a funky organ sound to drive the track and Biz Markie comes in at only thirty-seven seconds of a contribution with “Biz’s Beat of The Day #1,” teaching kids to lay down beats, ghetto style. 

Other bands contributing memories of their youth include Chromeo, The Roots, Of Montreal, I’m From Barcelona, The Little Ones, Yo Dazzlers, Weird Science and Mark Kozelek, who in a desperate attempt to calm down the now surely worked up wild things contributes “Bedtime Lullaby,” the only track adults will probably be able to stand listening to with their kids.