Bear Hunt!

The up-and-coming children's band Josh & The Jamtones release their third album - Bear Hunt! this Tuesday.  Having played 200+ shows in the past couple years and sharing the stage with such luminaries of the industry as The Wiggles, Josh Shriber and friends appear ready to inspire children around the country to get up and dance with their special blend of playful reggae rock.

Bear Hunt! is a concept album consisting of both songs and skits.  Bandmates Josh and Patrick Hanlin are hunting for the mystical evil scary bear from Bear Mountain, but not before they are forced to travel through the Death Valley Cornfield of Doom and the Lightning Lake of 1,000 Sea Monsters.  Josh and Patrick have a great comic chemistry together that should entertain both children and parents alike.  That great chemistry translates over to the band which also includes fellow Berklee College of Music alumni Ryan Beke, Beth Pacione, and Patience Orobello-Shriber (Josh's wife).
 
Father Goose, a singer and hypeman from the Dan Zanes & Friends ensemble, is featured on both "Swing Low" and "I Love U."  The tracks are rooted in reggae and unlike any children's music I've heard in the past.  Think a hypeman doesn't work in children's music?  I dare you to give these tracks a listen.  "Everybody Dance" is a sing-along/dance-along song sure to get your kids on their feet and moving.  One of the most unexpected songs on Bear Hunt! is "Sunflower" where the husband and wife team of Josh and Patience perform a duet together.  The result is a sweet, soft tune highlighted by a beautiful acoustic guitar.

Unlike a lot of children's bands, Josh & The Jamtones don't write songs about kids brushing their teeth, cleaning up their room, or that sort of thing in general.  Instead, the band focuses on fun songs the whole family will enjoy.  "Snow Day" celebrates the glorious days we all remember from our youth of school being called off due to the winter weather (along with the terrible fear of school only being delayed - No!!!).  "Green And Spakkled Frogs" is a catchy jam about a group of frogs that play music together.  A few of the songs don't go with the theme of this concept album, but everything is so good listeners won't mind a bit.  This is a level above the majority of children's albums out there and the skits are good enough for even adults to enjoy.  If you're a parent looking for an album that won't drive you bonkers, Bear Hunt! makes a wonderful choice.  Highly Recommended.