It seems that the CD is somewhat mis-marketed in its presentation - the "colouring book" isn't the only thing that didn't turn out to be quite what I expected. Nowhere on the cover does it clearly state that this is a Christian recording. As I am an agnostic, I would have felt disappointed if I'd purchased this product just on its description as a children's music CD.
When "Life Is a River" belted out like a fine example of a Sunday School song, I cringed, but not as much when in "Time for Sleep" - an otherwise sweet lullaby - the chorus went: "Mommy loves you, daddy does too, Jesus loves you most of all." Hoo boy.
Interestingly, I found the Christian-themed songs lyrically and musically the weakest. Maybe a case of the message drowning the songs a little.
This CD will be a sure hit with people for whom educating their children about how much Jesus loves them is a paramount component of good parenting. I say this as a sincere recommendation, but also to inform those who, like me, would have been less enthused about that aspect of this recording.
If the producers could have swung to the direction of the fun storytelling found in "Love-a-kitty" and "Rocking-Horse Blues" style collaborations with talented young tykes, this CD would have had wider appeal. As it stands, it left me feeling a little dissatisfied, as though I'd gone through a strange Franken-mishmash of children's music and Christian propaganda.
ed/pub:NB
Article comments
1 - Bonnie
Nukapai, great review. You really give a sense of what the product is, what its strengths are and where the weaknesses lie, along with conveying your personal "ymmv" reaction. I like your style!
2 - Anna
Well done! I like reviews that give me the low-down and aren't just another PR tool.
3 - Nukapai
Thank you Bonnie and Anna - encouraging feedback from both of you! Thank you, also, for taking the time to post a comment.
I try to be balanced, but ultimately, reviews are opinion pieces and highly subjective. Most people who end up following the work of a particular reviewer just use the end result as a yardstick (if reviewer X hates this, then I'll love it and so on).
4 - Dave Nalle
Perhaps it's not presented as Christian in theme specifically because they want non-Christians to pick it up for their kids and be exposed to the redeeming messages of the songs and embrace Jesus as a result. Basically a stealth conversion vehicle.
But I could just be paranoid. No good Christian has ever done something like that before.
Dave
5 - Nukapai
Oh Dave, you made me laugh. But I think I'll leave it at that. ;)
Except I think I need to tell you that "Nalle" means "teddybear" in Finnish.
6 - Grozdan Popov
So very tactful words and such a compassionate approach for somebody who had just demonstrated so poor manners does not only speak of a very understanding reviewer but of his chivalrous nature as well. Pressed the way you were I would have reneged on writing anything about a brat like Mrs Pamela Hopkins selfportrays herself.
Believe you me, this will be the best, the most exhaustive and most explanatory review her CD will ever get.
7 - Nukapai
Grozdan, thank you - but you know, I'm sure someone out there will give her the glowing review she wants.