I desperately miss the Saturday mornings of my childhood. They were filled with lighthearted cartoons and toy commercials. Waking up at 6:30 or 7am, I would fill a bowl of Cheerios and plant myself in front of the television all morning dreaming about fantasy lands, animals, people, and situations. Those were the days.
Another thing that entertained me as a young child were the short, entertaining songs and accompanying cartoons provided to ABC viewers by Schoolhouse Rocks. The short cartoon series began its run in 1973 and wrapped up after a brief revival in 1995 (it originally aired through 1985). My birth and subsequent cartoon watching began in the late 1970’s and wrapped up some time in the mid to late eighties.
Each of the short songs combined the most appealing aspects of music and cartoon with educational messages ranging from history and government to language and math. Kids ended up singing along with the words (after being bombarded every Saturday morning) without realizing that they were learning at the same time. I was one of those children.
I have very fond memories of some of the songs, some of which are rerecorded for the 1996 release of Schoolhouse Rocks! Rocks. This album includes just fifteen of the original forty-one songs and lacks some of my favorite offerings like Tax Man Max. But, what it does include are some of the most recognizable songs from the series. Who could possibly forget Three is a Magic Number or I’m Just a Bill?
This Lava Records compilation combines these Saturday cartoon classics with rockin’ good music from more recent artist and fans. Most notable here is probably Blind Melon’s final musical contribution (including Shannon Hoon’s production). But, there is much more to Schoolhouse Rocks! Rocks than just a single contribution. It seems that each of the contributing artists has fond memories of the childhood favorites. Each put an updated, funked up spin to the chosen song. The result of this musical and cultural melding is something inherently entertaining for adults who remember the television short.
As I already mentioned, Three is a Magic Number is a great track, and one of the most recognizable. Blind Melon did an awesome job at reinterpreting the classic song. Shannon Hoon’s voice was perfect to sing the lighthearted and educational lyrics meant to teach children the joy of multiplication. The alternative rock band does the song great justice here.
Also wonderful is the Better than Ezra version of Conjunction Junction. I vividly remember the original. This version brings back the memories. The pop-rock trio sped the song up and added some rock guitars. Despite the fact that I honestly enjoy the music, it’s really the silky vocals of Kevin Griffin that makes for another standout remake.
I also particularly enjoy the quirky remake from Ween of the history-ridden Shot Heard ‘Round The World. Their comedic talent is obvious throughout the tongue-in-cheek revision of the song. I have fond memories of the original, and from what I can recall the duo seems to have kept the overall feeling of the song intact.
Moby does something very creative with Verb: That’s What’s Happening. The song seems to have become his own, and ends up sounding very little like the original. I don’t mind that but for Schoolhouse Rocks! purists, this song may prove to be too much to bear.
I suppose the first time I really got a taste of government and politics was with I’m Just a Bill. Hell, it impressed me so much that I eventually went on to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. The merged band of Deluxx Folk Implosion makes the bill sound a bit sarcastic and a bit unhappy at times. Hey, you could even argue that the band at times made a political point with their handling of the music and the lyrics. I don’t mind it in the least…
The Interplanet Janet remake from Man or Astro-Man? really brings back the memories. The recording of the song really doesn’t sound too good, but I enjoy the energy and the cartoonish and punk attitude.
Finally, I’d like to speak momentarily about the Skee-Lo version of the classic Tale of Mr. Morton. His unobtrusive rap style makes this song about subjects and predicates seem somehow really funky and entertaining. Without a doubt, Skee-Lo made one of the most important and inspired contributions to this album.
Overall, I really do enjoy Schoolhouse Rocks! Rocks. I suppose that half of the reason I enjoy it so much is that I’m reminded of those carefree days of youth and cartoons. There are some low points with the contributions from Chavez and Pavement. There are others I don’t enjoy as I could if performed by somebody else like the offerings from Buffalo Tom, Daniel Johnston, and Goodness. Overall, I think that the songs on this album are more important than many of the artists who performed them. In fact, I think in many cases the original Schoolhouse Rocks! song is better known than the artist will ever be.
One last thing. For purists, check out the first song…the original theme song Schoolhouse Rocky. If nothing else, this album is worth it for Blind Melon and Better Than Ezra. I want to give a higher rating, but because of some of the lesser-inspired contributions I can only give it 3/5 stars and offer a thumbs up recommendation.
Track Listing:
1. Schoolhouse Rocky (Original Theme Music) - Bob Dorough & Friends
2. I'm Just A Bill - Deluxx Folk Implosion
3. Three Is A Magic Number - Blind Melon
4. Conjunction Junction - Better Than Ezra
5. Electricity, Electricity - Goodness
6. No More Kings - Pavement
7. Shot Heard 'Round The World - Ween
8. My Hero, Zero - The Lemonheads
9. Energy Blues - Biz Markie
10. Little Twelvetoes - Chavez
11. Verb: That's What's Happening - Moby
12. Interplanet Janet - Man Or Astro-Man?
13. Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here - Buffalo Tom
14. Unpack Your Adjectives - Daniel Johnston
15. Tale Of Mr. Morton - Skee-Lo
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