Nestled among the kid-centric covers of “Boom Boom Pow” and “1-2-3-4” on the forthcoming 16th (!) installment of Kidz Bop is a song called “LOL”—and no, it’s not a Trey Songz cover. It’s by Sinai Rose, and it sounds kind of like a lost Lil Mama track, with attitude all over the place, a super-distorted guitar that sounds lifted right out of Rebirth, and a chorus that turns the old “cell-phone interference” excuse into a directive to text, not talk. Also: lots of acronyms, some of which I can’t decode for the life of me. Is our children learning? Find out, after the jump. More »
Next Tuesday sees the release of a Motown compilation. Big deal–there are approximately 875,000 Motown compilations. But Motown for Kids promises to be a little different. OK, it isn’t different at all: all 14 of its songs are proven warhorses. More »
The Kidz Bop juggernaut has slackened a bit over recent years, with recent entries in the series not selling as well as previous installments. (I think that the cover of Modest Mouse’s “Float On” irrevocably broke the whole system by turning it into a source for too many LOLs.) But even though it’s less popular than before, a modified version of the group–with the faceless singers of background “oohs” and “ahhs” replaced by slightly older counterparts–is on a summer-vacation tour right now, holding all-ages shows in the afternoons, when clubs are normally closed. The Washington Post hit up a recent Kidz Bop tour stop at the 9:30 Club, and the whole spectacle does sound kind of strange, although it’s comforting to know that even in this jaded age, kids can still get embarrassed when their parents wave their arms along with the Shop Boyz.
With sales of ten million discs over their thirteen volumes, there are few music acts more profitable these days than the incredible, anonymous parade of voices known as Kidz Bop. Just like last year, the Kidz are hitting the road, including a somewhat odd appearance at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Below the cut, a preview of what you’re in store for: a lead singer who must be wondering if dropping out of college was the best idea, and a stirring moment previously hidden in all the noise by those hacks in the All-American Rejects. If you’re finding those Jonas Brothers just a bit too original, the dates are down there as well.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit it a sticky-floored ampitheater, watching in terror as an army of moppets scream out the lyrics to Smashmouth’s “All Star” at the top of their lungs? Then you’ll be happy to know that the Kidz Bop franchise is set to hit the road this year, with a live-show tour that will play in more than 80 markets. According to a press release:
Designed as an introduction to a real live rock show experience – in the same kind of kid-friendly environment KIDZ BOP is known for providing – the KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR features a full band, with vocal duties shared by adults and kids alike. Like the KIDZ BOP brand itself, the KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR encourages kids to get up and sing and dance along. With local participants, dance contests, video screens and song voting, kids will be the biggest part of the show.
Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator’s weekly look at the new releases hitting store shelves and digital-music services. This week, we look at fresh albums from Maroon 5, The Used, KRS-One and Marley Marl, and the National, as well as the latest offering in the Kidz Bop series.
A tipster stumbled across this job listing today: Based in New York City, KIDZ BOP is the best-selling kids’ CD series in the country and has sold over 9 Million CDs while garnering 9 GOLD records. More »
Judging by Internet/blogosphere reaction, last night’s American Idol rendition of “Float On” is clearly the most disturbing thing to ever happen to our country’s yup-rock taste-barons–more disturbing than Vietnam (the war) and Vietnam (the band) combined. More »
Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator’s weekly look at the new releases hitting store shelves on Tuesday. After the jump, a look at new records from the Kidz Bop Kids, Kittie, and Charlie Louvin, as well as a tribute to Ennio Morricone.
