Singing About Poop For Kids

Alphabutt is a children's album from Kimya Dawson, former member of the New York anti-folk duo The Moldy Peaches. It's out today (Sept. 9) and it's her first release since a handful of her songs were included on the best-selling Juno soundtrack. While her lyrics about riding bikes and making out can go from sentimental to perverse within a refrain, they always hold on to a sense of childlike wonder. Being a new-ish mom herself (she has a two-year old daughter, Panda Delilah), it's no surprise that she's finally released an album for kids.

But this is a far cry from Raffi. After all, the title track contains these lyrics: "A is for Apple, B is for Butt, C is for Cat-butt, D is for Doo-Doo, E is for Elephant-butt, F is for Fart, G is for Gorilla-fart, H is for Hairy Gorilla-fart." (Click here to watch Kimya perform "Alphabutt" at Chaz's Bull City Records in Durham, N.C.) It's the kind of scatalogical humor kids love, and most musicians don't have the nerve to deliver. And it's done with plenty of humor and energy, fingersnaps and handclaps, and a chorus of children.

It's also the latest chapter of an ongoing trend: as hip musicians start producing hip offspring, they're releasing music for their kids to listen to. The Apples In Stereo, Devo and They Might Be Giants are among the rockers making music for kids. And check out our segment about Baby Loves Hip Hop, a compilation produced by legendary DJ Prince Paul.