Given my (and my husband’s) interest in music I figured our
kids would naturally gravitate toward it, but I never imagined our Christmases
would be so steeped in music so early on. Our sons are two and almost four. The
oldest’s Christmas list includes the Muppets cd with OK Go on it (aka “The
Green Album”), Blur’s new “Parklive” box set, Material Issue’s out-of-print
Greatest Hits, and a drum kit (I think my mom got our younger son a toy
violin).
After watching scenes from Blur’s reunion shows this summer on YouTube,
Devo (the oldest) has anxiously been awaiting the “Parklive” release - a five
disc collection celebrating the band’s summer shows that includes a DVD which
is also available separately. In the past year his favorite band has gone from
hip-hop/rock duo the Knux to long departed Chicago power pop trio Material
Issue to Damon Albarn’s defunct Brit-pop foursome who he has named four of his
little figures after. We carry Damon everywhere. You never know what will click with them. The little one has a soft spot for Rick Springfield, Robyn, and ABBA.
In addition to “Parklive” he’s getting a special double disc
reissue of Blur’s 1997 self-titled album, which has suddenly become a fixture
in our car 15 years after I first bought it. He discovered a certain version (the
Road Version) of the song “M.O.R.” online that’s only available on that
two-disc set. And he’ll let you know if you’re playing the wrong version. It
doesn’t hurt to have extra copies since he drags my cds and their liner notes
all over the house (I’ve purchased extra copies of the Knux and Material Issue’s
“International Pop Overthrow” albums when I’ve found them used because of
this).
Under the tree he and his brother also have t-shirts
featuring Blur, OK Go, My Chemical Romance (in the style of South Park
characters) and our favorite band, the National. Whether you argue nature or
nurture the results of their environment have really taken hold. For Christmas
we made their teachers mixed CDs of all the songs they sing at school.
Tonight
as we sat around the house on Christmas Eve my husband’s relatives ask if they
know “Jingle Bells.” Devo replies, “I know ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’ by ZZ Top.”
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