United Parent Publications

January , 2002

by John Wood

This New Year delivers two new releases by two of my favorite children's artists, Bill Harley and Gunnar Madsen. These intelligent and slightly unconventional performers always come through in the proverbial pinch. Never condescending and always interesting, they are blasts of fresh air in what can sometimes be a paint-by-numbers musical genre...

...Now, in a different place but a similar space, one can find Gunnar Madsen's Ants in My Pants the follow-up to his critically acclaimed album, Old Mr. Mackle Hackle. You're going to hear a bunch of great voices and some very talented musicians and they're all wrapped up in one person named Gunnar Madsen! This guys so talented he makes you sick. A song called "Don't Shake Hands with a One-Eyed Pirate" is a zany mini-musical. In another, a boy named "Tuna Fish" faces a particular set of problems, pointing out that "other boys have normal names like Siegfried or Roy." "The Lonely Dog Tango" adopts the perspective of the family pet left home alone, while the traditional "Home on the Range" showcases Madsen's command of arrangement and harmony, not to mention his super-smooth voice and production skills. The entertainment value is off the-charts with Madsen's sophomore release. Check in and check it out. So, two fine fellows that have a raft of new tunes that will make you laugh until milk comes out your nose - Note to self: don't drink milk while listening. Catch you on the flip side!

Parents' Choice Foundation