So where might you get those great CDs?

So, you're thinking, lots of great music there, but where, oh where, can I buy it?

Well, our friend Bryan (also a judge) at The Pokey Pup is running a special on all of 'em (including the honorable mentions)!

Support a great independent retailer who really cares about kids' music. Head on over there.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2008 - Fids and Kamily Award Winners

In the third year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll, Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly was voted the best kids and family album of the year. Pop Fly topped a list of outstanding releases in a year that included kids and family albums from mainstream/adult artists such as They Might Be Giants, the Barenaked Ladies, Medeski, Martin and Wood, as well as albums from new and upcoming kids and family artists such as Frances England, Recess Monkey, and ScribbleMonster. Roberts’ previous album Meltdown won the inaugural poll in 2006.

The Top 10 albums of 2008 are (in order):

1. Pop Fly Justin Roberts - Pop Fly
2. Frances England - Family Tree
3. They Might Be Giants - Here Come the 123s
4. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Easy
5. The Terrible Twos - Jerzy the Giant
6. Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime
7. Recess Monkey - Tabby Road
8. Medeski, Martin & Wood - Let’s Go Everywhere
9. ScribbleMonster - Songs With No Character
10. Danielle Sansone - Two Flowers

Honorable Mentions (unranked next ten):
Laurie Berkner - Rocketship Run
Bill Harley - Yes To Running!
Randy Kaplan - Loquat Rooftop
Lisa Loeb - Camp Lisa
Gunnar Madsen - I'm Growing
Okee Dokee Brothers - Kids With Beards
Ellis Paul - The Dragonfly Races
Ralph's World - The Rhyming Circus
Brady Rymer - Here Comes Brady Rymer…
Dan Zanes - Nueva York

The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll. The full results of the poll, including essays on the top 10 albums and a listing of other nominated albums, are available at the Fids and Kamily website (http://fidsandkamily.com).

#1: Justin Roberts - Pop Fly

Justin Roberts is one of the anchors of our radio show, and has been since the start. (Indeed, we played two tracks from him on our very first show.) And he's been a foundation our family's music collection, ever since I first ordered Great Big Sun after seeing the "You might also like..." link on Amazon when ordering a Dan Zanes CD. (It helped that I remembered liking Justin's prior band, Pimentos for Gus at the 400 in Minneapolis.)

Heck, he was one of the first family-oriented performers we ever saw live, at the Iota, which appears, sadly, to have stopped booking kids' music. (At one of those Iota shows, he sang a very sweet "Happy Birthday" to Ella, who had just turned, I think, 4. Maybe 5.) And his Meltdown CD received first place in the inaugural Fids & Kamily Awards a couple of years ago.

That's a long way of saying that we have pretty high expectations for any new Justin Roberts CD coming in the door. Pop Fly cements -- if there were ever any question -- his place as one of the finest and most creative family-oriented artists today.

From the insanely catchy and relatable title track (a song to which I dare you not to sing along) to the sweet tribute to grandma "From Scratch," to the hilarious "She Sits" and its praise of a lenient babysitter, to the gentle closing song "Fruit Jar," this record works on many levels. It's got great radio songs (my first interest), but it's got a flow to it that works remarkably well. More than most kids' records, when one song ends and the next one starts, it just feels right. As always, long-time collaborator Liam Davis produces the record with just the right touches, letting the songs come through without making you say, "Hey! Production!"

This last year was very good for kids' music, and Pop Fly sits very comfortably at the top of the list of great records to be released in it. And Justin's winning the whole kielbasa of the Fids & Kamily Awards twice should tell you all you need to know. There are very few other artists creating as creative, engaging, smart, and just plain great music as Justin Roberts.

- Bill Childs, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child and various publications

#2: Frances England - Family Tree

England’s Fascinating Creatures was my pick for best family CD of 2006 (and came in fourth in that year's Fids & Kamily Awards). That first record was made as a fundraiser for Frances's son’s preschool and recorded in a home studio; Family Tree, while a bit fancier in production, retains the immediacy and intimacy that made Fascinating Creatures so appealing and unique. The music is probably best described as indie folk, with the focus on Frances’s gentle, playful, and expressive voice. It occasionally rocks a bit more (“I Scream, You Scream” and “Free to Be Me”), but even then, it’s all about the song. The lyrics somehow strike a remarkable balance between simplicity and sophistication, hitting topics and phrasings that are appealing to kids and parents alike.

- Bill Childs, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child and various publications

#3: They Might Be Giants - Here Come the 123s

When you've kick-started the second act of your career -- and launched a flurry of kids' music albums from artists formerly known strictly for their grown-up music -- what do you do for your next trick?

If you're They Might Be Giants, you outdo the wonderful Here Come the ABCs with the even better Here Come the 123s. On 123s, Johns Flansburgh and Linnell (now known as "John and John," or "those puppet guys," to thousands of young children) turn their delightfully skewed sensibility on the number system, teaching kids all sorts of cool things about numerals through song. For instance, did you know that there's only one everything? Or that if you aren't careful, a pack of sevens is liable to waltz into your house and loudly demand cake? It's true. Even better: Here Come the 123s comes bundled with a DVD of videos for all the songs, and they're actually all worth watching -- in fact, they make the album better. 123s = #1!

- Jeff Giles, Popdose

#4: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Easy

We’ve got a confession to make: Even though we rate Easy as one of our absolute fave-raves of 2008, we’re not sure we’ve heard the CD all the way through more than a couple times. It’s not that we don’t want to — it’s just that, somewhere around “Gotta Be Me” or “Luck,” 5-year-old DJ Wah Wah usually bumrushes the stereo and puts the song on repeat. And we’re here to tell you, these songs hold up amazingly well after repeated (and repeated, and repeated) listens. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has a quick wit, dope rhymes, a warm old-school flow and lyrics that are positive in all the right ways.

You can tell how much he loves hip-hop and kids, perhaps nowhere more so than on “Family Tree,” a completely adorable duet with his daughter Saki. We know, we know: Hip-hop’s not supposed to be adorable, and kids singing (or in this case, rocking the mic) — well, that’s an iffy proposition at best. But adorable it is, and boy do we love it. Check this inspirational exchange between 23 Skidoo and his young MC: “Yo, Saki, do ya got the juice?” / “Man, I got more rhymes than Dr. Seuss.” Word to that.

- Belinda Miller & Hova Najarian, hosts, Greasy Kid Stuff

#5: The Terrible Twos - Jerzy the Giant

Fortunately, "The Terrible Twos" does not refer to the sophomore slump that plagues plenty of artists, at least not in the case of The Terrible Twos, the family-friendly reincarnate of The New Amsterdams.

Their second release, Jerzy the Giant, absolutely delights from the very first track. In fact, close your eyes, and you'll almost forget whether you're swaying in some college town rock club with a Bud Lite in your hand, or trying to appease the kids fighting in the back seat of your minivan. And then you hear a song with lyrics about a bully at the playground or how nobody talks about the consonsants - and suddenly you remember.

Instrumentally, acoustic guitar is king here. The upbeat tracks serve as excellent reminders that you don't need mind-numbing electronica to get a good dance beat going, and there are also some beautiful mellow songs, requirement for most parents to keep a kids album in steady rotation. And it's all held together beautifully by singer/songwriter Matthew Pryor's strong, clear vocals.

I'll repeat what I first said a year ago: Who'd ever have thought they'd utter the words, "I'm looking forward to the Terrible Twos."


- Liz Gumbinner, Cool Mom Picks

#6: Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime!

Barenaked Ladies songs have been on many a kid-friendly mix CD up till now, so nobody was terribly surprised when the popular band decided to try its hand at an album just for the younger set.

With Snacktime!, the result met and possibly even exceeded expectations. From the alphabet-song-destroying "Crazy ABCs" to the wordplay of "I Can Sing" to the heartfelt "Bad Day," the album combines the Ladies' geekiness and eagerness and wraps them into pop/rocks nuggets. All for the elementary school set. Snacktime, nothing -- this is a full meal of great tunes.

- Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble.com

#7: Recess Monkey - Tabby Road

There are a lot of kids musicians writing lots of great kids songs, but none of them seem to be doing it as frequently right now as the Seattle-based trio Recess Monkey. In a span of less than 24 months, they've released 3 albums, each with more great songs than the last. Tabby Road, their most recent effort, is their tightest and best. Songs like "S-L-Double E-P-Over" and "Monster Boogie" are tremendously ear-wormy; they make writing songs about such elementary-age subjects as birthday parties, pets, and monsters under the bed seem easy. It's not, which makes that the trio do it over and over pretty special.

- Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble.com

#8: Medeski, Martin & Wood: Let's Go Everywhere

Being cool always helps a family album appeal to adults, but sometimes it gets in the way of hitting the mark with the primary audience - kids. Fortunately, the uber-hip ensemble Medeski Martin and Wood (MMW), which has turned out adult albums of envelope-pushing jazz/funk/electronica such as Combustication and Out Louder, stays focused on the youngsters with this new disc.

The trio of John Medeski (keyboards), Billy Martin (drums, percussion), and Chris Wood (bass, guitar, harmonica) uses improvisation and a host of cool guest stars and children’s vocals to propel an inventive album whose theme is a musical journey. As such, sound styles trot the globe from Asia, Brazil, and Latin America.

Some of the notable destinations on the CD are the groovalicious title track (with vocals from Tim Ingham), the rollicking “Train Song,” and the Dan Zanes’-style “On the Airplane.” Among the most playful songs are the acid-jazz tune “Where’s the Music,” on which kids call out for the instrumentation whenever it hesitates, and “Pirates Don’t Take Baths,” another Ingham-led piece that uses New Orleans rhythms as it tells of hygiene-minded swashbucklers.

From the trippy cover art to the trip-taking music, this is an album with unlimited possibilities for sonic discovery and imagination.

- Gregory Keer, FamilyManOnline.com

#9: ScribbleMonster - Songs With No Character

ScribbleMonster's latest release, Songs with No Character, is a departure from the cartoonish ScribbleCharacters, making this their first album geared towards the whole family. Whether James Dague (aka ScribbleJim) and the rest of ScribbleMonster have written songs for children that appeal to grown-ups, or songs for grown-ups that appeal to children, they have definitely succeeded in producing an infectious disc covering a variety of musical genres.

The pogo-perfect, power pop "All Ready to Go" is a perfect jump start for the morning. "I'm A Utility Pole" is my favorite type of song - simultaneously silly and educational. For families that like to rock, might I suggest "Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child" and "The Song That Saved The World" (which I liken to a G-rated, Tenacious D-style, rock epic.) Sentimental parents will dig "The Song of LIFE" and "Scratchy Records", and just might be inspired to whip out their old board games and turntable for a multigenerational show-and-tell.

With these and the other 8 songs, there is truly something for everyone regardless of age or musical preference. More than that, Songs With No Character is a fun, witty album filled with positive messages that the whole family will actually want to listen to from beginning to end.

- Amy Trulock, HYP Radio & HipYoungParent.com

#10: Danielle Sansone: Two Flowers

The last thing the world needs is another children's lullaby CD...that is, once everyone in the world owns Danielle Sansone's gorgeous "Two Flowers."

The beauty of this album begins the moment your eyes meet the stunning cover art and carries through to when your ears hear the last note of "So Many Ways" - the precious closing track. Sansone’s music is expansive enough to allow every keystroke on the piano and strum of the guitar to fade sweetly into the distance while her voice floats above it all with an overriding lyrical theme of never ending love of one's children. Danielle Sansone, like Natalie Merchant and Norah Jones before her, is in the lineage of magical, mystical female vocalists capable of dazzling an audience with every single verse.

Many of the tracks on "Two Flowers" feature sparse instrumentation with appropriate string fills scattered about. It all sets up wonderfully as the ideal foundation for Sansone's voice and her lyrics, which will tug delicately at the heartstrings of any loving parent.

"Two Flowers" is a must own record for any family with small children. But to be honest you don't even need kids to enjoy "Two Flowers". This 14 song collection of love songs is so sturdy it can and should stand on it's own as a great record, not just a great children's record.

-Jeff Bogle, Out With the Kids

Honorable Mentions

The following ten albums receive the "Honorable Mention" designation for the 2008 Fids and Kamily Awards. They're listed in alphabetical order by artist.

Laurie Berkner - Rocketship Run
Bill Harley - Yes To Running!
Randy Kaplan - Loquat Rooftop
Lisa Loeb - Camp Lisa
Gunnar Madsen - I'm Growing
Okee Dokee Brothers - Kids With Beards
Ellis Paul - The Dragonfly Races
Ralph's World - The Rhyming Circus
Brady Rymer - Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Dan Zanes - Nueva York

Other Nominated Albums

In addition to the Top 10 winners and the 10 albums receiving an "Honorable Mention" distinction, the 2008 Fids and Kamily judges included 47 other albums on their ballots. They're listed here in alphabetical order by artist.

Astrograss - Let Me Stay Up All Night
The Bummkinn Band - Rockin' the Yeehaw
Central Services - Central Services Presents the Board of Education
Daddy A Go Go - Rock Of All Ages
Kimya Dawson - Alphabutt
Debbie and Friends - Story Songs and Sing Alongs
The Dino-5 - Baby Loves Hip-Hop
The Dream Jam Band - The Dream Jam Band
Egg - Sunny Side Up
Mark Ereli - Innocent When You Dream
Jason Falkner - Bedtime with the Beatles 2
Father Goose - It's A Bam Bam Diddly
Ella Fitzgerald - Miss Ella's Playhouse
Funky Mama - Moo Juice
Tom Glazer - Sings Honk Hiss Tweet GGGGGGGGG
Hayes Greenfield - Music For A Green Planet
Parry Gripp - Do You Like Waffles?
Ham & Burger - Pharm Phresh
The Harmonica Pocket - Ladybug One
The Hollow Trees - Welcome To Nelsonville
Homemade Jamz Blues Band - Pay Me No Mind
Jambo - Lucy's Parade
The Jimmies - Make Your Own Someday
Leeny and Steve - Be Nice
Little Miss Ann - Clap For Love
Lullatone - The Bedtime Beat
Me3 - The Thin King
Mr. Saxophone - Songs From the Treehouse
The Nields - Rock All Day, Rock All Night
Princess Katie & Racer Steve - Fast and Feisty
Thaddeus Rex - Shakin' in Chicago
Eban Schletter - The Witching Hour

Suzi Shelton - No Ordinary Day
Stepehen Simon - The Story of Swan Lake

SteveSongs - Marvelous Musical Adventures
Sunflow - Under the Stars
Tiny Masters of Today - Bang Bang Boom Cake
David Tobocman - I Count to Ten and Other Very Helpful Songs
Trout Fishing in America - Big Round World
Kat Vellos - Musiplication
Brian Vogan - Little Songs
Various Artists - Dream Songs/Night Songs
Various Artists - Blue Moo
Various Artists - Funky Kidz
Various Artists - Sesame Street Playground
Various Artists - Let the Good Times Rouler
Various Artists - Yo Gabba Gabba Soundtrack

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of you may have questions about the Fids and Kamily Awards. This is our brief attempt at answering some of the most common questions. If you've got more questions, please leave them in the comments.

What is Fids and Kamily?
It's a yearly poll that compiles the lists of the year's favorite kids and family music from kids music writers, radio programmers, and others in the industry into a consensus list of the year's best music for kids and families.

How do you submit a CD for consideration?
Get your CD into the hands of the F&K judges. Judges come and go every year, but a list of this year's judges is there to the right. The F&K coordinators are not responsible for distributing CDs to judges.

Is there an entry fee for submitting a CD?
Nope!

How does the poll work?
Individual judges are required to allocate 100 points to their 10 favorite kids and family CDs of the year. Exactly 100 points, exactly 10 CDs -- no more, no less. There are minimum point levels (5) and maximum point levels (20) assigned to each album. The top albums are ranked in order of their cumulative point totals. We have spreadsheets, and we're not afraid to use them.

What is the eligibility period?
It's for albums generally available between November 1 of the preceeding year and Ocober 31 of the current year.

Do winners get anything?
Besides the acclimation of a group of people who spend thousands of hours a year listening to hundreds of kids' CDs, no. Not yet, anyway.

Who came up with the name?
Yeah, you can blame Stefan Shepherd for that one. He came up with the idea for the poll, inspired by the Village Voice's annual "Pazz and Jop" Poll, which surveyed writers on their favorite pop and jazz records. He thought "Fids and Kamily" would be an appropriate name for a kids and family music survey. Unwisely, his two poll co-founders, Bill Childs and Amy Davis, didn't object at the time.  Gwyneth Butera, who now helps run the poll, hasn't yet said anything.

They're back!

The 2008 Fids & Kamily Awards will be announced this Saturday, November 15, on the radio show Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, which you can stream on WRSI.com or ValleyFreeRadio.org from 7 to 9 eastern.

At some point after the broadcast, the stream will be available on demand too. And of course, the winners will be announced right here!