Note: This review is on the CD/Cassette of Multiplication Rock by Schoolhouse Rock.

I remember when I was going to elementary school that I absolutely hated to learn multiplication. It was Soooooooooo boring and I would go crazy because I would mix up numbers with many of the multiplication facts.

So, when I first saw the Schoolhouse Rock series on Saturday morning cartoons I thought to myself – What a great way to get kids to learn where it would be lots of fun!

As the years went by and I had my own children, I decided that I would definitely purchase these videos for my own children. What I didn’t realize though that in addition to the videos of the Schoolhouse Rock series, that all of these collections is also released on CD and cassette.

Of all of the Schoolhouse Rock collections, the Multiplication Rock one is probably the one that I like the least. This is probably due to the fact that I didn’t like to do multiplication in the first place, but I believe it goes more than that. I truly believe that most of the music and lyrics on this selection could be much better. It seems to me that there’s not enough “rock” or action within Multiplication Rock to call it a true “rock” CD, educational or not.

There are exceptions to my overall thoughts on this though and I would like to share those with you.

Figure Eight - Cute song about a girl ice-skating singing about multiples of eight. She ends the song with a revelation that the number eight on its side is the infinity symbol.

Naughty Number Nine - Rhythm and blues song explaining how there is a secret check system to verify that the answer that you received is the correct one by adding the numbers within the answer to see if that equals nine. I probably like this song because I used to get the nine multiplication facts correct most of the time!

Schoolhouse Rocky - Original Introduction theme song of the show that was at the beginning of each program. Nothing special about it – It’s just a great remembrance of this program. My brothers used to go run into the living room when they heard that so that they could watch the original program.

Elementary, My Dear - Rapid paced song beginning with the story of Noah and the Ark with multiples of two going to forty. Also, there’s a really easy explanation of how to add multiple numbers of three digits, and also tricks about calculating 2 times 98.

Three Is A Magic Number - Explanation of why people believe that three seems to be a magic number. There are several explanations of “three” type items including triangles, tripods, and so forth. Then there’s a dissertation of the multiples of three going to thirty and then backward to three. It’s a really cute song with a catchy tune that will stick in your head.

Most of the songs have the original background vocals included in harmony. However, the sound effects that are included are not included on the selections. The only sounds you will hear are those of the vocals and musical instruments – nothing more. However, this doesn’t deter from the quality of the recordings itself. In contrast, the recordings are very high quality stereo and is much better than the original television performance.

In conclusion, having Schoolhouse Rock’s Multiplication Rock can be a great addition to your child’s music collection as well as their video collection. I’ve found that by having this on cassette it’s really convenient as my son can pop this into his Walkman and listen and sing on his own while we’re traveling in the car. It’s a great and fun way to learn and memorize multiplication and other math facts and I highly recommend it for purchase.

Selections included on Multiplication Rock include the following:
Schoolhouse Rocky
Elementary, My Dear
Three Is A Magic Number
Four-Legged Zoo, The
Ready Or Not, Here I Come
My Hero, Zero
I Got Six
Lucky Seven Sampson
Figure Eight
Naughty Number Nine
Good Eleven, The
Little Twelvetoes

Note: I purchased my copy of Multiplication Rock from the local library's surplus sale. After doing research, it appears as though the musical version of Multiplication Rock may be discontinued. Half.com does have one in stock but it is above the retail price (that's the click here for half off). Therefore, it may be more reasonable for you to check into borrowing this from your local library or to research other outlets instead of half.com for this purchase at this time.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Reading or Studying