Big Rock Rooster
by Daddy a Go-Go Model Boyd's ToneAverage Rating: 
List Price: $11.99 / Sale Price: $11.99
From the Editors
Daddy a Go Go's "Big Rock Rooster" isn't for toddlers. It's not bad for them or anything, but if your child is 14.5 months old, like the child of the writer below, by all means check out The Wiggles and Barney or even Daddy a Go Go's first CD "Cool Songs for Cool Kids" which was named one of Amazon.com's Top 10 Best Kids CD of 1999. <P>"Big Rock Rooster" is for older kids, from 3 or 4 on up to 10, who are getting older and hip to rock and roll riffs you might hear on commercials or even classic rock radio stations. They like that stuff cause its fun, but maybe you don't want your kids listening to mainstream radio or watching TV all day just yet. "Big Rock Rooster" is a fun rock record with 12 original songs straight out of real life, like "I Can't Find My Shoes" or fun word-play songs like "Guitars on Mars" or "I Wanna Be an Action Figure." <P>Martin Keller wrote a great little review of this CD in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: "You gotta love the brains and instruments behind Daddy a Go Go -- John Boydston, a former CNN producer and current stay-at-home dad who came of age in rock's golden era and is now trying to re-create it for kids. He does it with his original songs, groaner pop culture puns, smart covers and ripping guitar lines. Playing everything but drums, Boydston shows he's as much in touch with his and your kids as he is with patented '60s guitar hooks. This CD is a righteous follow-up to his first two discs. Daddy a Go Go proves again that he's one of kids-music's rockin'-est rulers." <P>And Tower Records' PULSE gave "Big Rock Rooster" a 4 star review: "Big Rock Rooster rips! Daddy A Go Go a.k.a. John Boydston, isn't afraid to rock out (and I mean really rock out in a grungy, garage band sort of way) and he does so with such spirit and good graces that he offends the sedate sensitibilies of neither parent nor child. (Think nuances of the Beatles and the Who toned down to meet the needs of today's busy nuclear family.) Daddy A Go Go's brand of rock 'n' roll is simple and nostalgic with smart retakes (unlike the original, Daddy A Go Go's version of the Partridge Family's "Come On, Get Happy" manages to avoid sounding sappy) mingled with originals."
Album Description
Customer Response
A disappointment: falls short of previous two efforts
If you are looking for guitar-driven, garage band style children's music then, then Daddy a Go Go just might fit the bill. Parents who are fans of the Beatles, surf guitar, the Byrds; or, even REM, Camper van Beethoven, Flaming Lips, the Misfits, etc., will likely find Daddy a Go Go a refreshing change from Barney, the Wiggles, Raffi, and other commercially popular children's artists. However, if you're new to Daddy a Go Go, I'd recommend buying either of their first two albums, *Cool Songs For Cool Kids* or *Monkey In The Middle*, instead of *Big Rock Rooster*.
*Big Rock Rooster* was somewhat of a disappointment. After listening to the song samples, I decided to borrow the CD from the library before buying it. We listened to the album at least once a day for about 3-4 weeks, in rotation with the previous two Daddy a Go Go CDs. I really tried to like the album, and--although we love Ralph's World--initially took with a grain of salt any negative comparisons to Ralph's World.
My now 14.5 month-old son, husband, and I enjoy the first two albums very much, especially the instrumentals and cover tunes. The only exception is the Pokemon themed song, "The Fever," which already seems dated after 4 years--and therein lies the weakness of this third Daddy a Go Go album.
To mangle David St. Hubbins' quote in *This is Spinal Tap*: "It's a fine line between clever and corny." Original and creative songs like "Monkey in the Middle" and "You're Not the Bossa Nova Me" (from the second album) are noticeably absent on *Big Rock Rooster*. Instead, you have songs like "I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons" and "Nice Mare on Elm Street," which are loaded with youth pop culture references.
Granted, as indicated on the back cover, this album is geared towards an older age group (ages 5-10) than the previous two Daddy a Go Go CDs. However, I think it's possible to write songs for children without resorting to gimmickry. Herewith lies Ralph's World and Brady Rymer's advantage (better studio production and musicianship aside): their songs are witty, performed in various musical styles, and near-timeless. Although Daddy a Go Go does cover some themes or topics in their songs that are universal to children (e.g., "It's Hard to Be a Kid," "Brush Your Teeth," I Can't Find My Shoes"), the surf/garage guitar twang and limited vocal range can seem tedious after repeated listenings; and, the more gimmicky lyrics will unlikely hold up to the passage of time.
Nonetheless, Daddy a Go Go's home studio recorded albums can still have a place in your family's music collection; you just may eventually find yourself reaching for them less often, compared to other, more accomlished children's artists.
A MUST HAVE FOR FUN DADDY-KID TIME
This CD is a must have. The lyrics are funny and enjoyable and the music is fun for grown ups to groove too. It is recommended for 5-10 year olds but my 8 month old loves to dance around to it and of course fly around to "I want to be an action figure."
Don't miss this CD. It is a fresh sound to keep the kids having fun and the parents sane with some good old rock.
I can't wait for the new one.
Rockin Kids Music
What a great cd for kids! The entire collection is a must have. My 3 year old loves them all! He was recently interviewed and when asked what his favorite song was he responded with an excited "Superheroes" - his name for "I Wanna Be An Action Figure". He also insisted on ordering all the cds for a friend's birthday gift and wow what a hit!
Disappointed -- mediocre vocals and (too) jangly guitar
I really wanted to love this CD, especially after all the positive reviews for Daddy a Go Go, including comparisons to the Beatles Revolver era.
Yikes. Not so.
If you can tolerate mediocre singing, a non-stop jangly guitar, C-level back-up musicians, and not-so-clever lyrics, you might be OK with this CD. It does have a bit of a country sound to it -- maybe country music fans will like it more than I do.
I was especially looking forward to "Come on Get Happy" (cover of Partidge Family), but Daddy a Go Go's version is almost unrecognizable as the same song.
I'm just really disappointed with it. I'm taking it to work with me today and offering it to anyone who wants it for free.
I'm going to stick with Ralph's World.
Happy Music
This CD is wonderful! The Big Rock Rooster piece is so fun it should go on forever. Rag Mop is better than the original. Don't miss this CD, if you have children or not.
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