Various - Play

The proposition of a compilation of songs written for kids or adults with an immature streak in them could seem unappealing – after all, aren't kids more interested in happy slapping to saccharine-synth 4/4 nonsense than playing musical chairs to harmlessly bouncy pop? Well thankfully the musicians involved here don't agree, and unanimously turn in some delightful tunes that vary from colourful read-it-yourself story books (Channels with Damon Locks' Always Check For Holes) to punk for four year-olds (Mudhoney's awesome I Like to Make Noise and Break Things). Other highlights include the Supersuckers, Soccer Team's wise counsel nursery rhyme I'll Never Fear Ghosts Again, and The Cassette's Truck On Truck, despite having a chorus that sounds suspiciously like 'drunk on drugs'. Absolutely the ideal soundtrack to getting hyperactive on marzipan and fizzy-pop, the only thing missing here are the party bags. [Ali Maloney]