Merry Fishes to All

Holiday songs are a lot like folk songs: they seem to have existed forever and singers never get tired of recording new versions of "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells." The public, on the other hand, can be excused for jumping for joy when a group like Trout Fishing in America goes to the trouble of writing new seasonal material. After all, most people probably already own several versions of any holiday song one could name. Merry Fishes to All is even more fun because it's a children's album, which means it can avoid the solemnity of Christmas and just have fun. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood offer their usual enjoyable nonsense while hitting upon all the familiar themes of the season — like snow, Christmas letters, Santa, and chocolate. They realize that every kid, in his or her heart of hearts, really wants a "Chocolate Christmas," and who can't relate to "Santa Brought Me Clothes?" And "The Eleven Cats of Christmas" may be in the running for the catchiest holiday tune...since "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Trout Fishing in America adopts lively contemporary arrangements that run the gauntlet of styles from reggae to jazz. It goes without saying (which means that it must be said) that parents might grow tired of listening to the kids singing along to Merry Fishes to All during the drive to Grandma's. Still, it's got to be better than listening to them sing "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" one more time. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., Rovi