Bandwagon

PreS-Gr 3—New York-based children's musician Leeds and her band the Nightlights demonstrate brilliance on their fifth album for kids. Filled with 14 original tunes and one piggyback song about kid-centered topics, Leeds is at the top of her game. Opening with a rocking number about the first day of vacation ("Are We There Yet?"), Leeds moves forward with a country rock song filled with excitement about the end of summer ("Back to School"). Other highlights include a folksy celebration of making music ("Bandwagon"), a paean to the Big Apple ("I Love NY"), and a retro-sounding story-song about seeing something strange while traveling ("UFO"). "Nutritious" offers a delightful parody about eating good food set to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," sung with gutsy soul. Listeners will delight in songs about bike helmets, standing up to bullies, autumn, winter, going to bed, and nightlights. Musical arrangements are pitch perfect.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH