Recess Monkey's "Desert Island Disc" Album Review and Giveaway! (U.S.) Ends 9/23 (Rafflecopter)

Press Information:
It is rumored that family music icon Recess Monkey recorded its tenth studio CD, Desert Island Disc, while shipwrecked on the beach of a distant island. The band's spokesmonkey has refused to either confirm or deny these tales. Winding down from the high energy of its June 2013 release, Deep Sea Diver, Recess Monkey longed for a calmer second act. While stranded in their newfound tropical paradise, Recess Monkey created Desert Island Disc, which features acoustic instruments conveying the relaxed, sun-drenched pace of good friends exploring a strange new land together. Graced with elegant and colorful orchestrations by Jherek Bischoff, Desert Island Disc is like the calm exhale following a rampaging storm of summer excitement.

Notes Recess Monkey's Jack Forman, "After the electrified excitement of Deep Sea Diver, we wanted to explore the calmer side of our songs, and what better place than on a remote beach? Desert Island Disc ended up being played with instruments only available on an island: strange, pieced together drums, acoustic textures, and waves gently lapping on the shore."

Adds Drew Holloway, "We conceived Desert Island Disc not only as a companion to Deep Sea Diver, but also as its counterpoint. Desert Island Disc is an experimental album for us, but the songs are still sequenced in a flow that gives an arc to the record. Our intent is always to link together songs in a way that transports people to another place." 

Desert Island Disc picks up on our inveterate explorers with their discovery of the "Coconut Radio" as it tunes in on the nostalgia of bygone times, with the warmth of its string orchestrations setting the mood and holding the entire album together. Using this "radio," Recess Monkey is able, one song at a time, to dial into a variety of enchanting and mysterious activities that populate the island. Highlights include "The Hermit," in which hermit crabs humorously execute a crabby conga as they scurry from one seashell domicile to another, and "Pearls of Wisdom," a funny exposition of well-worn sayings that adults seem to be unable to resist offering to kids. This is followed by "The Cave," an equally hilarious duet, in which Drew Holloway meets a mountain of resistance from guest vocalist Dean Jones when attempting to sign him up for an extremely scary cave adventure.

Guest artists on Desert Island Disc include Justin Lansing of the GRAMMY winning Okee Dokee Brothers (banjo), Dean Jones of Dog on Fleas (vocals), Johnny Bregar (B3 organ), and Sam Bischoff (saxophone). The album was actually recorded on an island -- Bainbridge Island, Washington -- in Johnny Bregar's Brickyard Studios.

Nine Recess Monkey songs have reached #1 on the Sirius/XM Kids Place Live chart.  Sirius/XM's Kids Place Live Program Director Mindy Thomas declared, "These guys are able to tap into elementary school so well that it's like they never left.  In this never-ending nationwide talent show of kid and family music, they are most definitely at the top."  Time Magazine celebrated Recess Monkey's "tight, smart, acclaimed original songs ... and seriously grooving funk."  Enthused The Washington Post, "These guys put the 'fun' in funky.  (Just try to keep your feet from moving!)"  Explained kids' music authority Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble.com), "Recess Monkey just keeps turning out album after album with pop nuggets, as if we'd just discovered that The Beatles had recorded a ton of kids' music 40+ years ago."

Desert Island Disc will be  available, starting October 15th, at recessmonkey.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, theAVCafe.com, bigkids.com, iTunes, bandcamp.com, Silver Platters, Sonic Boom Records, and Barnes & Noble.


My Review:
We rocked out to the songs of "Deep Sea Diver" from Recess Monkey, only to relax, play, and enjoy the music of "Desert Island Disc!" My children loved the songs on here just as much as they did the songs on the previous album. It reminded me somewhat of the Beach Boys music, which I grew up listening to a a child, teenager, and I still listen to them today. My four year old daugther and almost six year old son's favorite songs of Recess Monkey's Desert Island Disc are "Hide and Seek," "Hermit Crab," "My Treasure," and "Dessert Island." I can't wait to listen to this album more around the house, and in my truck!


Recess Monkey Live - Fall/Winter - 2013/2014

• Sept. 21 & 22 - Life is Good Festival, Canton, MA
• Oct. - Dec. - Teatro Zinzanni, Seattle, WA (13 performances)
• Jan. 18, 2014 - Symphony Space, New York, NY
• Jan. 19, 2014 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA

Check out the Recess Monkey website at http://recessmonkey.com and listen to music samples from their Deep Sea Diver album!

Recess Monkey on Facebook: http://facebook.com/recessmonkeytown

Follow Recess Monkey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/recess_monkey

Check out Recess Monkey's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKi68m_2R4s&list=PLBFFA8A86E6770B4F

Enter below for a chance to win your own copy of Recess Monkey's Desert Island Disc CD on or around the release date, of October 15th.

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter the giveaway. (Giveaway is open to residents who live in the 48 continental United States only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I will receive a copy of Recess Monkey's Desert Island Disc album in exchange for my review and giveaway post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.

Recess Monkey's "Deep Sea Diver" CD Review and Giveaway! (U.S.) Ends 9/23 (Rafflecopter)

Deep Sea Diver is Recess Monkey's "blue album," an ocean-themed recording set in a submarine that plumbs the musical depths of the sea before becoming shipwrecked on the beach of a distant lost island. Conceived as "the Recess Monkey-est Recess Monkey album ever," Deep Sea Diver is filled with a boatload of the band's over-the-top, super zany, clever, high-energy songs that deliver lots of synth, funk, and everything in between, all written and produced with a high degree of seaworthy musical and creative artistry.

My children both really enjoy singing along with the first song on the album Tambourine Submarine! It's fast paced, which my children love, and they were dancing to the song and having a great time! Even my fourteen month old daughter was rocking out!

My four year old really loved Recess Monkey's song "Shrimp." It was sort of like listening to a child's cute rap music song, but, not as annoying to me as most rap songs are. She's shorter than her brother, and he's always telling her that she's too young or too small to do things. She is, and she isn't. She can amazingly do more than him some days. She is small, but she is mighty!

Finish out your summer with your family and listen to Recess Monkey's "Deep Sea Diver" while driving to the beach, swimming in your pool, hanging out around the house, or at your child's next birthday party! The album is recommended for children ages 2 to 8 years old, but, my fourteen month old loved it! I feel it's for children of all ages, and parents too! 

Deep Sea Diver is available at recessmonkey.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, theAVCafe.com, bigkids.com, iTunes, bandcamp.com, Silver Platters, Sonic Boom Records, and Barnes & Noble.

Recess Monkey Live - Fall/Winter - 2013/2014

• Sept. 21 & 22 - Life is Good Festival, Canton, MA
• Oct. - Dec. - Teatro Zinzanni, Seattle, WA (13 performances)
• Jan. 18, 2014 - Symphony Space, New York, NY
• Jan. 19, 2014 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA

Check out the Recess Monkey website at http://recessmonkey.com and listen to music samples from their Deep Sea Diver album!

Recess Monkey on Facebook: http://facebook.com/recessmonkeytown

Follow Recess Monkey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/recess_monkey

Check out Recess Monkey's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKi68m_2R4s&list=PLBFFA8A86E6770B4F

Enter below using the Rafflecopter form to enter the giveaway.
Giveaway is open to residents who live in the 48 continental United States only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I will receive a copy of Recess Monkey's "Deep Sea Diver" album on CD in exchange for my review and giveaway post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Saturday 9/7

Set of hand knit Rattles from Estella NYC - US/CAN - Does Mommy Love It

Orkin Home Education Kit - U.S. - Two Savvy Sisters *RC

God bless you and good night, Precious moments: the little book of prayers, and Everybody can help somebody - children's book - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

$25 iTunes GC - U.S. - Lipbloss & Spandex *RC

Fat Toad Farm Goat's Milk Caramel in a Tiny Baking Tin - U.S. - Squirrelly Minds *RC

Fresh Tangerine 14K gold fill hear necklace - U.S. - Squirrelly Minds *RC

$50 GC to Accessory Fanatic - U.S. - Squirrelly Minds *RC

Fool's Gold Cookbook - U.S. - Hanging Off The Wire *RC

Ultimate Life Prize Pack - U.S. - Hanging Off The Wire *RC

Orkin Home Education Kit - U.S. - Daddy Waddy Weeviews *RC 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!: 

Your choice of one out of seven books for children - U.S. - The Kids Did It *RC

Two packs of Boogie Wipes - U.S. - My Work-At-Home World *RC

Lokai Bracelet - U.S. - Giveaway For Moms by Moms *GT

The Ultimate Life DVD Gift Pack - U.S. - Blogfully.net *GT

YoYo Lipgloss in Your child's initial - U.S. - Blogfully.net *GT

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Friday 9/6

Season of a Lifetime DVD (family movie about football) - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

"Camp" movie on DVD - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit ($103.99) - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

The Kidville Rock’n Railroad CD (5 winners) (@10pm EST) - U.S. - Kids Email.org

Discovering God’s Will for Your Life Your Journey with God - book - U.S. - Linda's Lunacy *RC

$50 GC to Pharmaca - U.S. - Growing My Kids Reviews *RC

Rawlings Flexible Sports Organizer - U.S. - Making Time For Mommy

Copy Kids DVD - U.S. - Debras random rambles *RC

The Ultimate Life Prize Pack - U.S. - More Crunchy Beach Mama *RC 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!:

Canning Discovery Kit Prize Pack - U.S. - Not Quite Susie Homemaker *RC

Official Ultimate Life Prize Pack (DVD of The Ultimate Gift, The Ultimate Gift book by Jim Stovall, The Ultimate Gift charm bracelet, and The Ultimate Life leather-bound journal) - U.S. - Just Another New Blog *RC

Susan’s "The Smores Cookbook" - U.S. - Laughing Lindsey *GT

Volcanoes of the World book and Activity Set - U.S. - Learning and Growing the Piwi way *RC

Mabel’s Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo of your choice - U.S. - Simply Sojournes *RC

Assortment of Coppertone travel-size sunscreen products - U.S. - Two Savvy Sisters *RC

$100 Visa Gift Card - U.S. - Sassy Mama in LA *GT

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Thursday 9/5

Three month subscription to MOMables - U.S. - the little style file *RC

Orbit for Kids Prize Pack - U.S. - Sensibly Sara *RC

The Ultimate Life Prize Pack (DVD, book, bracelet, and a journal) - U.S. - What I Life For *RC

A Yak Pack Bag - U.S. - Gust Gab *RC

$25 iTunes GC - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Back-to-School Supplies Prize Pack (Superman Backpack, 1 package Superman pencils (4 ct), 1 package Iron Man pencils (4 ct), 2 boxes Crayola Crayons (24 ct), Man of Steel folder, Avengers folder, 2 packages Elmer’s Glue Sticks (2 ct), PaperMate mechanical pencils, 2 spiral bound notebooks, 2 pairs kid scissors, pad of sticky notes, and a pencil box) - U.S. - Comic Con Family *RC 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!: 

$25 GC to My Service Pride.com - U.S. - Army Tankers Wife *RC

Two bags of YumEarth Organics Fruit Snacks (value of $7.98) - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Package of size 4 Luvs Diapers - U.S. - B-Inspired Mama *RC

My True Nature Travel Set - U.S. - Growing Up Madison *PT

$100 Fandango Gift Card - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

$25 GC to PinkBlushMaternity.com - U.S. - Breastfeeding Place *RC

$25 gift certificate to See’s Candies - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Wednesday 9/4

BaleFire Labs Yearly Subscription (3 winners) (@9am CST) - U.S. - 5MinutesForMom.com *GT

Item with your choice of Personalization from Mona MELisa Designs - U.S. - Dragonfly Sweetnest *RC

Pink Monogram Otterbox Case - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

Assortment of Sara Lee Snack Cakes, one Sara Lee logo water bottle, and one Sara Lee logo lunchbox - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

$30 gift certificate from Hipcycle - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

“I Promise Not to Suffer” Book - U.S. - A Nation of Moms

Ultimate Life Prize Pack (DVD, Book, Bracelet, and Journal) - U.S. - Just Kidding Around Atlanta *RC

Tube of Leonie Blackhead Removing Peel-off Mask - U.S. - Lipgloss and Spandex *RC 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!: 

VIP Shift Kit from Tory Johnson - U.S. - Inspired by Savannah *RC

Tie of your choice from Necktie Emporium - U.S. - Networking Witches *RC

Bubble Necklace from Our World Boutique (3 winners) - U.S. - Your Golden Ticket Blog *RC

Custom Baseball, Softball or Hockey Puck (includes a ball and shipping, and does not include a stand or tee) - U.S. - The Review Wire *GT

Box of Woolzies Dryer Balls - U.S. - The Thrifty Housewife *RC

Winner of the Digital Camcorder and the Estroven Weight Management is:

Winners of the 3 Boxes of Estroven Weight Management are Gabby O'Brian AND Joy N!

(Gabby, please email me your address at mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com, and let me know that you are winners, as I have no way to contact you. Thank you.)

Winner of the Samsung HMX-F80 Flash Memory HD Digital Video Camcorder is Linda G.!

Winner of the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Kids Flat Kit is:

Congrats to #420 - Jessamine M. R. Dungo!

Day Out With Thomas 2013 (Nashville, TN) Review!

My children and I got to spend a few hours with Thomas the Tank Engine this past Sunday morning! The weather was beautiful! Almost too beautiful to ride on Thomas and inside the passenger cars, as we just wanted to be outside enjoying the cooler air here in Tennessee! But we rode on Thomas, in a passenger car, with our friend and neighbor Lochlin and his mother.

We had so much fun riding the train, playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends on the train tables, playing with Mega Bloks, coloring pictures with Thomas and friends, checking out the petting zoo, feeding the sheep and goats, riding on a smaller train, jumping in the bounce house, crawling through a big inflatable dragon, playing miniature golf, watching a few Thomas cartoons, getting fake tattoos, and collecting our stamps on the three papers that they gave to use when we first arrived to receive a special treat when our paper was complete! We turned them in before we left, and the kids received some Thomas stickers, along with a 2-sided sheet in which to put the stickers on, to act out scenes from Thomas and Friends shows and movies. Also, every child who rides with Thomas receives the Official Jr. Engineer Certificate signed by Sir Topham Hatt.

After our ride on Thomas, we had a chance to take a photo in front of Thomas. You can do this how ever you want, in front of Thomas on the ground, standing on these boxes that they have for you, sitting on the boxes, which the kids did last year, or standing in front of, or near Thomas. We weren't rushed to take our personal photos either. The gentleman took his photos, because they like to try to sell them to you, and then we took our own! I also purchased two hats for my older son and daughter from the gift shop instead of toys.

 

Sheep at the Mini Petting Zoo (with a Llama in the background)

This fun-filled event takes place at The Tennessee Central Railway Museum and features a 25 minute ride with Thomas, games, activities, a chance to meet Sir Topham Hatt and more!

Thomas will be in town This Weekend from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on September 7th and September 8th.

Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling Ticketweb toll-free at 866-468-7630 or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html or www.tcry.org. Ticket prices are $20 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).

The  Tennessee Central Railway Museum is located at 220 Willow Street, Nashville, TN 37210. You can call them at 615-244-9001 for more information or for directions.

For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt. Check to see if Thomas will be in a city near you!

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter at @TrueBlueEngine.


Disclosure: I received some tickets to the day out with thomas event in exchange for my review post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Tuesday 9/3

60 Quick Baby Blankets - book - U.S. - Bless Their Hearts Mom *RC

Murchison-Hume Cleaning Products - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

Full Color Classic Blender Bottle, one GoStak, and one Recipe Book (ARV $34.97) - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

$50 GC for Albion Fit - US/CAN - Makobi Scribe *GT

Philips Satin Perfect Epilator ($149.99 value) - Makobi Scribe *GT

From Up on Poppy Hill DVD - U.S. - Play That Now *GT 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!: 

Cuisinart Baby Food Marker & Bottle Warmer and Baby Food Storage Containers - U.S. - Dragonfly Sweetnest *RC

Any Item of your Choice from Lavender Baby Creations Etsy shop - U.S. - My Work-At-Home World *RC

Salba Chai Smart Prize Pack - U.S. - Saving You Green *RC

Three Brew Over Ice K-Cup samples, a Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters, plus a Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket and tongs - U.S. - Confessions of an Overworked Mom *RC

Copy-Kids DVD - Worldwide - I'm No Domestic Goddess *GT

Brew Over Ice Gift Pack - U.S. - Mom of One and Having Fun *RC

Simone France’s Normal/Dry Skin Travel Kit ($120 value) - U.S. - The Kids Did It *RC

Room on a Broom DVD - U.S. - The Kids Did It *RC

Subscription box to Be Pawsitive ($15 value) - U.S. - The Kids Did It *RC

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Tonight, Monday 9/2

Choice of the Charm BOA (girl's) or Sk8 Hero BOA (boy's) K2 Inline skates (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals - book (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

DropTech Designer Cases from Gumdrop (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Aloe Fresh, Beach Tote and Towel (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security software which will cover up to 3 devices for 1 year - U.S. - Making Time For Mommy

Cavemom's Cooking Paleo Cookbook - U.S. - Mommy's Favorite Things *RC

Core Bamboo Chip Dip Bowl - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

30-count variety pack of Brew Over Ice Kcups - US/CAN - Makobi Scribe *GT

"MADE" on CD from Hawk Nelson - U.S. - My Four Monkeys *RC

Heart of the Country on DVD as well as the novel the film is based on - U.S. - My Four Monkeys *RC

Scotch-Brite Prize Pack - US/CAN - Makobi Scribe *GT

One Video lesson of your choice from the selection available at Daily Craft TV - Worldwide - made by ChrissieD *RC 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!: 

Custom Dress up to a size 10/12 fromKnifty Up Knitz - U.S. - Mommy's Favorite Things *RC

"It Cosmetics" 2 products: eye concealer & anti-aging serum - U.S. - Chat with Vera *RC

Alone Yet Not Alone - historical fiction book - US/CAN - Chat with Vera *RC

An item from the Kensie collection - U.S. - kitschy *RC

Hero Nutritionals Gift Basket with Vitamins and a Teddy Bear - U.S. - Dragonfly Sweetnest *RC

Hallmark greeting card package - U.S. - Laughing Lindsey *GT

Six pack of Binders from Samill (4 winners) - U.S. - Networking Witches *RC

Baby K’tan Breeze Baby Carrier - U.S. - Your Golden Ticket Blog *RC

2oz. jar of the Light & Moisturizing Facial Cream - US/CAN - Your Golden Ticket Blog *RC

An 8"x10" Canvas Photo Prints From Easy Canvas Prints, $25 BuildASign.com GC, and a $25 GC for Custom T-Shirts from Allied Shirts - U.S. - The Thrifty Housewife *RC

Power Rangers Samurai: The Ultimate Duel – Volume 5 DVD - U.S. - Koupon Karen *GT

Swingin Smart Swing Seat Cover from Baby Bee-Haven - U.S. - Growing Up Madison *GT

Low Entry Giveaways Ending Sunday 9/1

Three Team Umizoomi DVD's (@8pm) - U.S. - My OKC Mommy

Hallmark School Pack (@8pm) - U.S. - My OKC Mommy

3 Boxes of Vanilla Chex (@8pm) - U.S. - My OKC Mommy

Sonic Drive-In Prize Pack (@8pm CST) - U.S. - My Springfield Mommy

Chicco's Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System (@8pm CST) - U.S. - My Springfield Mommy

Autographed copy of the book "Open" - U.S. Just Kidding Around Atlanta *RC

Might Handle (grocery bag carrier/helper) - U.S. - Feeding The Troops *RC

Pair of Firmoo Sunglasses (winner pays shipping) (2 winners) - U.S. - A Humble Bumble *RC

Red Gold Tomato variety pack with a Red Gold Apron - U.S. - Frankly Entertaining *RC

Two bottles of Toe Juice and two bottles of Hog Wash Hand Sanitizer (Total value: $54) - U.S. - Makobi Scribe *GT

Signed copy of the book "Open" - U.S. - Just Kidding Around Atlanta *RC

Choice of the Charm BOA (girl's) or Sk8 Hero BOA (boy's) K2 Inline skates (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals - book (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

DropTech Designer Cases from Gumdrop (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Aloe Fresh, Beach Tote and Towel (@9am CST) - U.S. - Parent Guide News *GT 


Giveaways With Over 200 Entries, but under 500!:

One Step Ahead Prize Pack - U.S. - Having Fun Saving *RC

Box of Lemon Meringue Crunch Balance Bars - U.S. - Cuz in Logic *RC

$25 GC to Cici's pizza - U.S. - Coupon With Cents *RC

24oz.Smart Planet Home Mason Drinking Jar - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Smith & Vandiver - Variety of Spa Packets (Aroma therapeutic bath, body and skin care products) - U.S. - The Simple Moms *RC

Mixed case of Sneaky Pete's 12oz. Beverages - U.S. - Susie Q-Pons *RC