Robot Cool and Monkey Fresh

Presenting...my family's thoughts on John Hadfield's new album Robot Monkey Head.

My six-year-old son: "RO-BOT monkeyhead! RO-BOT monkeyhead!" (chanted loudly as I prepare to play the CD for the gazillionth time)

My 21-month-old son: "Mine! Mine!" (said while running off with the CD case, which is very attractive to him because it has a, um, robot monkey head on it, and what could be better?)

And finally, my almost-40-year-old husband: "Oh, cool! Can I put this sticker on my car?"

To summarize, we love this record.

Hadfield is a children's performer and clown (he attended the prestigious Ringling Bros. Clown College), so music is just one of his many talents. Robot Monkey Head is the follow-up to his earlier kids' album Monkeys in the House. From the techno title track to the rambling ballad "Duct Tape Festival," Hadfield shows off a variety of popular musical styles (and pop/rock eras), but in a lighthearted way, not with the heavy-handed "and now, kids, let's hear a country song" approach. "Bunny Foo Foo, The High School Years" is a brilliant play on Ton Loc's "Wild Thing," and "Best Friends" has a late-70's classic rock feel (think Cream or Aerosmith for kids). The album seems especially appropriate for elementary-age kids.

While Hadfield's music could be called campy or overly-synthesized, it is, more importantly, highly entertaining, brilliant, and fun. To let you in on the genius of John Hadfield, I present you with "Bunny Foo Foo, The High School Years" for your listening pleasure (with John's permission). Enjoy, then click here to read more about the album, view lyrics, and listen to a few other tracks. Or, go get your own copy at CD Baby or iTunes.