Born to Play

AMG Review of Born to Play

Jared Johnson
All Music Guide

For three seasons now, the music of the Backyardigans has put the kid's show in a class by itself. The stories may target two- to five-year-olds, but the musical savvy and performances of the characters are a delight for children several years older as well. Resplendent in composition and consistently vivacious, the soundtrack CDs that accompany the seasons on DVD proudly bear music director (and former Lounge Lizard) Evan Lurie's trademark mastery of genres and sweeping travels through bygone decades. As they say, "kid tested, mother approved" -- and then some.