I love these guys. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood, the two halves of Trout Fishing in America, are among the first musicians to get the concept of what children's music should be. As with other CDs by Trout Fishing in America, InFinity is happy without being saccharine, packed with songs that capture the essence of childhood without being condescending or winking at the grownups over the heads of the children.

Remember those absolutely perfect days you had as a child? Relive them in "My Best Day." Remember long car trips in the back seat with a sibling? Idlet and Grimwood do in "Are We There Yet?" but they manage to bring more to the memory than whining; the kids in this back seat have a window game that moves them to proclaim "Look how rich we are!"

"Your Name Backwards" is a playful song that culminates in "Michelangelo" backwards and can lead to further family or classroom fun. "Junk Food Jump" is rock 'n' roll rebellion: "Well, let's get all hyperactive now." The liner notes advise you to "go eat something that will make you feel good, but will horrify those around you." Icing from the can anyone? With sardines?

"Sailing" is a fun shanty-style song with some appalling puns. (Let's just say that one verse concerns a pirate buying vegetables.) "It Did It All By Itself" will sound familiar to parents and the happy folk style will have everyone dancing around the living room. (I recommend it for music to pick up toys by -- nobody did it, so everyone gets to clean up.)

It's music that respects children and speaks to every adult's Inner Child. The variety on this CD means that everyone can enjoy InFinity infinitely, and it just doesn't get better than that.

- Rambles
written by Donna Scanlon
published 15 November 2003