All Together Now

New kids' music label Little Monster Records marks its debut with this nifty board book–CD package that features a tribute recording of fun (yet faithfully covered) Beatles hits. A chorus of kids appears on nearly every track, which makes this session perfect for family sing-alongs. But the star-studded line-up of vocalists and musicians is likely to be the draw for many grown-up listeners. Steve Conte of the New York Dolls, Marshall Crenshaw, The Bangles, Matthew Sweet, Rachael Yamagata, Chris Maxwell and Jason Lytle of Grandaddy are among those lending their talents to the disc. The result is a sound that's polished, bright and familiar, but not slick or over-produced. The board book contains liner notes, poetry inspired by the tunes and Beatles facts. Serving as a new generation's introduction to Beatles beats and a vibrant and fresh listening experience in its own right, this volume will be welcomed in car stereos and home music libraries everywhere. All ages. (Nov. 2006)