Everybody tends to lose focus during the holidays, when they need to gather their thoughts the most. You have friends, family, responsibilities, and oh yes, what will you be doing for Christmas Eve, or the first night of Hanukkah – wait, it's in a week and a half!?!
Soothing your mood is essential. Try some Rocknoceros. That's right, Rocknoceros has a new CD frothing with spirit, HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ROCKNOCEROS. The Virgina-based power trio delivers a snappy nine-song candy dish of traditional favorites, topped with a mashup of Prince Buster (by way of the Specials) "Auld Lang Syne (Enjoy Yourself)."
There's no Kwanzaa tune but a faithful version of "The Dreidel Song." And an organ-sizzling "Wenceslas." And "Up On The Rooftop" bops and rocks your littler ones. Rocknoceros actually start waltzing with "This Thanksgiving," but I give them props for beginning the disk with "Halloween Masquerade," for those who treasure the opportunity to get free candy more than getting an itchy sweater.
Rocknoceros rounds out the year by pausing their "state songs" project after this summer's PLYMOUTH ROCKERS. Producing more than 20 songs this year definitely gives the group a merit badge for productivity. They delivered quality as well as quantity in 2015. With more state songs on the horizon, Rocknoceros should be stuffing stockings for quite some time.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ROCKNOCEROS is available from Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.
This video shows the subversive side of Rocknoceros. It's Santas and crying infants galore, during a merry reading of "The Night Before Christmas":
Bile Them Cabbage – Red Yarn
Drive My Car – Caspar Babypants
Every Day's A Holiday – Alastair Moock & Friends
Great Big Sky – Mil's Trills
I've Got Friends In New Jersey – Rocknoceros
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Paper Airplane – Recess Monkey
Sing in the Sun – The Harmonica Pocket
Starfish and Coffee – Renee & Friends Featuring Maya Rudolph
Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Ghost Riders in the Sky – Andy Z
God Bless America – Rocknoceros
Ground Food – Ratboy Jr.
Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
Pj Party – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
Spatula Vs Sun – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Tunneling To Paradise – Pointed Man Band
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Flannel Jammies – The Not-Its!
I've Got Friends In New Jersey – Rocknoceros
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer
Mom, apple pie, and children's music. The foundation that our country was built on.
For their 10th anniversary as a band, Rocknoceros returns to those traditional values with their fifth CD, PLYMOUTH ROCKERS. But wait – it gets better. The 15 tracks are state-themed. That's right, this is the first of an ambitious reclamation project to sonically boost kindie spirits across these great United States of ours. You start with "Would You Like to Visit Kansas" and traverse through "Louisiana" (not the Randy Newman version), "Minnesota," and wind up in "South Dakota."
Along their trip, Rocknoceros return to Irving Berlin for a streamlined, Virginian take on "God Bless America." It's a clear reminder of where their interest lie, in keeping parents invested in listening as well. The trio (Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bernie) are more about authenticity than history (sorry about that, Lloyd Miller).
School is done, that was fun, and I made some friends. But where I live, there's other kids, let's start again. Saturday, it's time to play and they've closed the street. Teams are formed, and they ain't warmin' up to me. But hey I learned from the best (I've got friends in New Jersey) References by request (I've got friends in New Jersey) I'm right here, why second guess (I've got friends in New Jersey) Don't be shy, stop and say hi.
State songs is not exactly a new concept. In fact, They Might Be Giants' John Linnell called his lone solo CD STATE SONGS. But Rocknoceros commands attention for a commitment to their music (more than 2,000 shows over the past 10 years), their verve maintaining regional flair (a lilting "Aloha," for example), and what appears to be a "throw-a-dart-in-the-map" selection process. "Squeakers" is about Wisconsin. Now what's that all about? Wait – Rocknoceros has a self-explanatory song for you. "Tennessee" is practically a history lesson while "Colorado Rockies" lets the boys indulge in some reggae.
Had I learned more from music in my youth, perhaps I'd sound as happy as Rocknoceros. These PLYMOUTH ROCKERS are loading up their tour bus for songs and shows to share their lyrics and music from sea to shining sea.
PLYMOUTH ROCKERS is available on July 4 (appropriately) from Rocknoceros' website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.
Green Green Rocky Road – Randy Kaplan Jingle Bells – Renee & Jeremy Alien Girlfriend – Andy Z Harry Elefante – Rocknoceros Delicious – Orange Sherbert Clap Your Hands – The Time Outs Three – The Board of Education I'm So Glad – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band Siyahamba – Aaron Nigel Smith Mammal – They Might Be Giants Deck the Halls – Dan Zanes Similes And Metaphors – The Bazillions
First Day – The Board of Education In A Timeout Now – Randy Kaplan Kangaroo – Caspar Babypants Water – Ozomatli Harry Elefante – Rocknoceros We Just Won't Be Defeated – The Go! Team eBay – Weird Al Yankovic Joy to the World – Dan Zanes Make It Up – Astrograss Last First Kiss – One Direction
Binary - The Board of Education Balloon Fest - Ozomatli Let Your Love Grow Tall - Passion Pit May This Be Love - Elizabeth Mitchell The Scientist - Glee White And Nerdy - Weird Al Yankovic The Crocodile (Wouldn't Brush His Teeth) - Boxtop Jenkins I'm Not Tired - Ralph's World Zou bisou bisou - Gillian Hills Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros Live It Up - Chris Isaak Freak Out - Astrograss
First Day - The Board of Education Conservation - Rocknoceros The Science Fair - Ashley Albert The Owie Song - David Tobocman Good Bad Boy - Joe Jackson Kiss With A Fist - Florence + The Machine DeeDee Taught Me How To Count - Kepi Ghoulie Playground - Astrograss Changes - David Bowie Treehouse - Dog On Fleas Falling - Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights Flat Stanley - Play Date
At The Zoo - Simon & Garfunkel May This Be Love - Elizabeth Mitchell The Monkey Song - Jesse Friedberg They Got Feet - George Carver Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen Three - The Board of Education Rad - Play Date The Dancin' Bear - Recess Monkey Let Me In - Zak Morgan
Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros Let's Go - Matt & Kim
Summer Daze - Susanna Hoffs
At The Zoo - Simon & Garfunkel Here's To Us - Glee Rad - Play Date Set Fire To The Rain - Adele Zou bisou bisou - Gillian Hills Kindhearted Babysitter Blues - Randy Kaplan Sacagawea - The Deedle Deedle Dees Ride In My Little Red Wagon - Willie & The Wheel DeeDee Taught Me How To Count - Kepi Ghoulie Conservation - Rocknoceros
Life's A Happy Song - The Muppets Because I Said So - Keller Williams There's a Band in My Head - Dog On Fleas Sugar Ant - Caspar Babypants The Science Fair - Ashley Albert Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart - Fountains Of Wayne Subway - Bari Koral Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros
Make Me - Big Bang Boom Chloe - Grouplove Here's To Us - Glee
Sourwood Mountain - Carolina Chocolate Drops I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz Tomorrow Will Be Really Great - Dan Israel Why Is Dad So Mad? - The Board of Education Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros Sleepover - Ellen & Mark Shoo Fly - Don't Bother Me - Sweet Honey In the Rock I'll Be Waiting - Adele How Can I Sing Like A Girl? - They Might Be Giants I'm Your Moon -/ Jonathan Coulton
Lonely Glove - Caspar Babypants It's Now Or Never - Chris Isaak Sleigh Ride - The Jimmies Everybody Let's Jump - Eloise the Great I Like How It Feels - Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull The Dancin' Bear - Recess Monkey Mary Anning - Artichoke Conservation - Rocknoceros Pop - Bari Koral Kindhearted Babysitter Blues - Randy Kaplan We Found Love (Feat. Calvin Harris) - Rihanna My Magic Trick - Ralph's World
What Katie Did - The Libertines When the Bells Start Ringing - My Morning Jacket I Believe In a Thing Called Love - The Darkness Turning Tables - Adele Born to Be Loved - Lucinda Williams Shoo Fly - Don't Bother Me - Sweet Honey In the Rock Dad Upside Down - Hullabaloo I Want A Hippopotamus for Kwanzaa - The Jimmies The Dancin' Bear - Recess Monkey Peace And Love - Fountains Of Wayne Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros
Parents Need Sleep - The Nields Hail The Creatures - Dan Zanes The Happy Vegan Thanksgiving Song - Todd McHatton Because I Said So - Keller Williams Love You Like A Love Song - Glee I Can't Quit Her - Blood, Sweat & Tears Conservation - Rocknoceros Flat Tire - Dean Jones They Got Feet - George Carver What Will You Ever See? - Lunch Money
I Wish You Well - Bill Withers How Fast Can You Run? - The Quiet Two Gotta Be You - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo My Happiness - Chris Isaak Onyonghasayo - Skankin' Pickle Lucy and Tighty - Okee-Dokee Brothers Conservation - Rocknoceros What'd I Say - Ray Charles Shrimp and Gumbo - Rebirth Brass Band Great To Be A Kid - The Not-Its!
Don't Stop It Won't Pop - Todd McHatton Memphis Soul Stew - King Curtis & The Kingpins Conservation - Rocknoceros Tomorrow Will Be Really Great - Dan Israel Don't Drink Sea Water - Captain Bogg & Salty The Fox - Waco Brothers Same Mistake - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Some Nights - fun. One Thing - One Direction I Wanna Stay Home - Jellyfish
Making Me Smile - Dean & Britta At the Bottom of the Sea - The Thermals Valley Winter Song - Fountains Of Wayne The Daylight Strong - The Figgs Harry Elefante - Rocknoceros Say Hello to My Hippo - Todd McHatton Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen Exactly Where I Want To Be - Grenadilla My Little Laugh - Randy Kaplan Starships - Glee
Twenty years of friendship can do strange things to people. For Rocknoceros, it meant the time had come for a concept album about friendship. Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie have been fixtures on the Washington, DC children's music scene since 2005. After three acclaimed CDs, the trio is attempting something more ambitious: a CD with a companion book.
COLONEL PURPLE TURTLE inhabits Soggy Bog with his friends, including Harry Elefante, Rocky the Dog, Truman Coyote, and Pirate Harvey. All of them get their own song and we learn about them and their place in Soggy Bog.
The CD straddles the fine line between silly and smart. The title character "wears a violet toupee under his magenta beret." But there's also a track called "Echolocation" that explains animals use sonar to emit calls out to the environment and listen to the echoes of those calls that return from various objects near them.
COLONEL PURPLE TURTLE shows animals living in harmony, aware that their contributions are important and impactful. "Conservation" covers the affects of wasting water and preserving our natural resources. "Fire of the Sun" urges listeners to use sunscreen for protection because "despite harmful UV rays, we'd not survive without its blaze."
The CD succeeds as a stand alone, without the book. If this is your first exposure to Rocknoceros, you'll feel bemused as your children are amused. COLONEL PURPLE TURTLE is available at retail outlets on Tuesday, September 13.
