The Lovely Mrs Davis Blog Spot
2 November, 2006

Many of us who are parents like to be reminded that there was a time in our lives when we were spontaneous, carefree, and perhaps even hip and trendy. A time when we were not concerned with nap schedules and potty training and booster seats.

And many of us like to think (whether it's true or not) that we've maintained some of that hipness and youthfulness, in spite of the responsible grown-ups we have become.

This, I believe, is why kids' artists like Jason Ringenberg are especially appealing to parents. Ringenberg's punk-country past as the front man for Jason and the Scorchers is an important element in his success as Farmer Jason, who recently released his second kids' album, Rockin' in the Forest with Farmer Jason.

While I was at first taken aback by Ringenberg's commitment to the Farmer Jason persona and the educational lyrics and segues, I found a lot to love about Rockin' the Forest. First of all, do not underestimate the title -- this album truly rocks.

Fans of Jason and the Scorchers will find the sound familiar -- alt-country with an edge. On top of the basic guitar-bass-drums combo, you'll hear occasional violin, trumpet, keyboards, steel and slide guitar. The arrangements and production were a bit heavy for me, but it was clear the musicians were having fun. The 11 tracks, all written or co-written by Ringenberg, are incredibly catchy and energetic. Check out some sample sounds here.

There are a few awkward moments, such as the introduction to "He's a Moose on the Loose", in which Farmer Jason declares, "Hey, look kids, it's famous folk singer Todd Snider!" and Snider uncomfortably participates in a brief "scene" with him. But once the music starts, the awkwardness is forgotten.

Farmer Jason performs spoken introductions to several other songs, and his sincerity is surprising. But this instructive tone in both the spoken parts and the lyrics is balanced with a sophisticated sound and occasional lyrical surprises like "a gnarly 100-year-old tree." In the introduction to "Opossum in a Pocket", Jason explains the word "marsupial" and describes the possum's habitat, then sings, "There's an opossum in a pocket and you really shouldn't knock it / When you see her in her momma's pouch / It's like a limousine looking low and lean / Like Elvis on a velvet couch."

The album does include a reference/homage to the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" in the track "Punk Rock Skunk" (and with a "Hey-Ho! Anarchy in the Pre-K" teaser on the CD package), which defies my recently-imposed ban on this song in kids' music, but I'm willing to give Farmer Jason a pass on this, since he is an actual punk rocker.

Overall, Rockin' the Forest is smart, energetic, musically distinct, and surprisingly instructive. It strikes a great balance in its appeal to both children and parents, and the grown-ups can also take pleasure in knowing Farmer Jason's punk rock alter-ego.