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Play it
"Wilco's Jeff Tweedy once commented to me that Beatles songs are "like crack cocaine to kids." It's a peculiar way of stating it, but Tweedy keenly understands that catchy pop music appeals to children, as well as adults. The members of Baltimore's Milkshake also realize this, and their material, which is certainly geared toward children, is firmly rooted in the melodic pop music of the 1960's and 1970's. As a result, this collection of videos (some of which aired on PBS KIDS) leans heavily on sunny melodies ("We Got a Band") and bright harmonies ("Imagination Nation")--all delivered with a cheerful dispositition that plays well on TV. A few of the videos even use the city as a gorgeous backdrop, and the animated raindrops in "Rainy Day" look like something out of a Miyazaki film.
- John Lewis, Baltimore Magazine
Smart Talk: Lisa Mathews
Go to Smart Woman online to read the interview with Lisa Mathews.
- Smart Woman
"...the empowering moshes of Milkshake."
"...I have seen Milkshake perform three times now, and they put on a high-energy show. The uncanny thing, for me as a music fan and veteran of many club shows, is how similar the overall vibe is, though the lights are always kept on and the refreshment stand stocks juices and cookies...a frenzied, mirthful moshpit of toddlers always rims the stage, sometimes piling up onto it. Parents play bouncer, helping kids down from the stage when the action gets too intense." - from the new book "Anytime Playdate"
- Dade Hayes, Anytime Playdate
July 2007
"The mother of all child-friendly bands."
- Southwest Airlines, SPIRIT
PLAY!
Rock-and-fun-infused kids' band Milkshake is back with a bevy of tunes that convey a joyful appreciation of children's play. Whether it's "Imagination Nation," "Pirates," "Superhero" or "Parade," these songs tap into universal sentiments about the various ways that kids entertain themselves and connect with their peers. Solid musicianship, hip pop-song hooks, and the welcoming singing voices of Lisa Mathews, her stellar back-up vocalists and the Milkshake Kids' Chorus, all add up to tracks that have a cool, up-to-the-minute sound and an age-appropriate point-of-view. This CD contains a bonus trio of songs that will be featured on the Discovery Kids animated television program ToddWorld. All ages. -- Publishers Weekly
- Publisher's Weekly
PLAY!
Gutsy singing with a voice akin to Pat Benatar's, Lisa Mathews provides the lead vocal sound of Milkshake. The Baltimore-based band improves with each offering, and their third CD is the best yet. The driving rock sound of the 15 original songs keeps listeners engaged; all the tunes have a message. Among the songs are "Imagination Nation," an invitation to use your imagination; "Superhero," listing all the heroes in our lives, imaginary and real; "Go Wild"; and "Play!" Milkshake slows the tempo down with ballads: "Home on the Range" (not the classic cowboy song, but a new one), "Plant a Garden" (show the Earth that you care), and "Magic Ride" (we can go anywhere our imagination takes us). Mixing things up, "Pirates" sways with the ship and its accordion accompaniment. "Parade" has all the trappings of one, and "Baseball" has the added treat of Cal Ripkin opening and closing the song and Fred Manfra calling a game in the middle. Solos by horns, guitar, and saxophone are balanced with background vocals by band members and a children's choir. This polished performance makes listeners want to sing along. -- School Library Journal – April 2007
- School Library Journal
PLAY!
Singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl (of the indie band Love Riot) front Milkshake, a fizzy contemporary band that really rocks without losing sight of its target audience. Imaginations spark in such easy-breezy observations of life and play as "Pirates," "Superhero," "Plant a Garden," "Parade" and "Magic Ride." And no matter how bouncy things get, a tender touch prevails. - Lynne Heffley, LA TIMES
- Los Angeles Times
High Energy Music for Kids
The band known as Milkshake makes music as cool, frothy, and fun as its name. On their latest album, PLAY, they mix up a delectable concoction of 15 power-pop tunes all about, well, play. "We Got a Band" perfectly captures the joy of making music. "Superhero" celebrates the flights of imagination that help boost kids' self-confidence. And with Major League ball teams starting to take the field, there's no better time for their peppy tune "Baseball," which features a cameo voice-over by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. Ages 5 - 10. - Family Fun
- Moira McCormick, Family Fun Magazine
PLAY!
“Their colorful, energetic videos have been featured on Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show and Discovery Kids's ToddWorld. Their effervescent, crowd-pleasing live act graced the main stage of last year's Jamarama Live tour. Now, on their third studio CD, Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl, together known as Milkshake, punch out 15 more "I dare you to stay unhappy" songs. The indie-rock-tinged tunes hit all the classic kid-music talking points (song titles include "Imagination Nation,' "Pirates," and "Okay to Be Different"), but the band has a ball performing them, and the fun they're having is infectious. If anything, the near overdose of earnest bliss may leave more cynical parents waiting for an over-the-kids'-head wink of irony that never comes. But Mathews and Gehl, both parents, know that good music doesn't require anything more than a catchy hook and an inviting chorus. To appeal to their audience, they don't dumb down the music -- they just play it straight. The results are entirely enjoyable.” COOKIE MAGAZINE
- March/April 2007 issue, COOKIE Magazine
PLAY!
With their third album, Play, Milkshake have simply outdone themselves. There were huge expectations in this household after their past album, “Bottle of Sunshine” became such a popular favourite, and there were worries that Milkshake might finally hit their sophomore slump, one album late. Those fears were unfounded. With Play, Milkshake have produced what is easily one of the finest kindie rock albums of all time.
- Andrew Beatty, Kindierock
Milkshake - PLAY!
"Play! shows why this band is rapidly becoming a happy force in the kid-rock world...Blending a virtual 31 flavors of sounds, Milkshake whips up an album that will have Mom, Dad, and the kids playing air guitars and singing along."
- Gregory Keer, Familymanonline.com
"Waiter, there's a tutu in my Milkshake"
"Milkshake writes amazing pop-rock songs that just happen to be for kids, and Play! is packed with 15 of them. These songs are musically sophisticated, super-catchy, and not at all formulaic...Like their past albums, Play! is well-produced -- not over- or under-produced, but, like Baby Bear's porridge, just right. The full band sound is balanced and versatile..."
- Amy Davis, LovelyDavis.blogspot.com
Parenting Magazine
"Indie rockers Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl have produced a sunny and imaginative brand of pop-rock. Think of what would happen if the B-52s and Cowboy Junkies visited your child’s preschool, and you’ll get an idea of the dreamy music this rocking duet makes. From the quirky "ABC of Me" to the runaway “Space Song” and the playfully catchy “Woo-Woo,”Milkshake delights in luscious harmonies and witty, merry-go-round spins. If kids don’t beg to hit the replay button, parents will."
- Suelain Moy, Parenting Magazine
BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE
"A smiling hug of an album, with a cool pop-rock beat and dance-along bounce (and a strong B-52's flavor), from rock duo Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl of the Baltimore-based alt-band Love Riot. The wake-up title track is sweet and jaunty; the final track, "Sleepytown," offers a beautiful lullaby hush."
- LOS ANGELES TIMES
PRESCHOOL OF ROCK
"Fronting a rock band for preschoolers isn’t child’s play. You have to compete with such distractions as cookies and inflatable moon walks and be able to hold the interest of people with the attention spans of, well, preschoolers. But it’s still fun for Lisa Mathews, lead vocalist of Milkshake … though she now performs in tutus and striped tights and sings about the ABCs and elementary school, she retains her rock sensibility as she combines positive yet sophisticated lyrics with music that reflects influences from the White Stripes to world music. … Mathews wants to create music that this new generation can call its own."
- HOUSTON CHRONICLE
MILKSHAKE'S NEW CD RELEASE
"As a paean to pure fun, Play, the third CD from the wildly popular band Milkshake, is reason to celebrate: "Baseball" features a voice-over by the great Cal Ripken, and "Pirates" evokes a passing ship with chirping seagulls, sloshing water, and a singing, swashbuckling crew."
- Catherine Applefeld Olson, CHILD MAGAZINE
AWARDS
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2007 Parent's Choice Award: PLAY!
Milkshake, with lead singer Lisa Mathews, captures the intrigue and pleasure of let's pretend in an imagination-celebrating collection of songs written and performed by a band with legit rock 'n roll chops and a gentle, affirming vibe. Catchy tunes about playing pirates and cowboys and superheroes, having a game of backyard baseball and going bowling mix it up with flights of fancy (“Magic Ride”) and messages (“Okay to Be Different”) set to a bouncy beat. - Lynne Heffley
- Parent's Choice Award 2007
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2005 NAPPA GOLD AWARD
BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE
Love the voice, love the songs, love the production, love this CD!
- John Wood, , National Parenting Publications Awards
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Critic’s Choice!
HAPPY SONGS
Don’t expect some condescending Barneyfied pap on Happy Songs. Instead, you’ll find skipping, catchy folk songs – about breakfast, wanting to be tall, going to bed, and other childlike concerns – that are never childish.
- Baltimore City Paper
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BALTIMORE MAGAZINE “BEST OF BALTIMORE 2003”
Best Band for Kids: Hip parents who like music will absolutely thrill to Milkshake.
- Baltimore Magazine
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2003 Children’s Music Web Award Winner
HAPPY SONGS
“Best Recording for Preschoolers” and “Best New Artist for Preschoolers”
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2003 iParenting Media Award Winner
HAPPY SONGS
“Best Children’s Music Recording”
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One of CHILD Magazine’s Top Children’s CDs
BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE: This magnetic follow up to Happy Songs encourages kids to dream big and celebrate what makes them happy. Bursting with an “I can” attitude, it has an uncanny way of soothing, invigorating, and fostering confidence all at the same time.
- Catherine Applefeld Olson, , Child Magazine
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THE WASHINGTON POST “Top 5 Children’s Picks”
BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE: While many of Milkshake’s songs describe the world from a kids’ point of view, others are more like love letters from parent to child.
- Nicole Arthur, , The Washington Post
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2005 PARENTS’ CHOICE RECOMMENDED AWARD
BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE
Vocalist Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl have a slick rock 'n roll style driven by electric guitar licks and a percussive beat that works like a charm with their playful, dance-along songs.
- ©Parents’ Choice Awards
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