Raise a Ruckus

PreS-Gr 1—The San Diego-based kid folk/traditional folk music duo, Hullabaloo, has raised their bar of excellence on their tenth album. Steve Denyes's 11 original tunes mix well with the title cut, the classic bluegrass song "Raise a Ruckus." Each number has a different texture, topic, and tune—ranging from traditional country ("Dad Upside Down," a knee-slapping funny song; "Out Standing," describing what it's like to stand outside in the rain) to ballad ("Bit Her," about sibling rivalry; "Favorite Day," a word "painting" of a perfect scene in paradise) to just downright snappy ("Trash Is My Treasure," a tune about life told from the perspective of a seagull; "Song About Nothing," the closing number about the songwriting process). The tunes are catchy and the lyrics are clever. What really lifts this album up is the inclusion of occasional guest artists Molly Ledford, Marcy Marxer, Buck Howdy, and others who add fullness to each number. A right rowdy, foot-stomping good time.–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH