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Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
We'd like to dispel a few rumors about this CD. Yes, the songs are based on stories from Hebrew Scriptures aka: The Old Testament. And yes, the music contains all of Justin's trade-mark wit, warmth and catchy hooks. Contrary to popular belief, however, Justin has not changed his name to Sol Robertstein. At no time does Justin utter the words schlemiel or schlimazel. And while Justin still enjoys Seinfeld, he doesn't really get Jackie Mason. Details, details - Artist: Justin Roberts - Ages: 5 and up - Genre: Pop/Rock, Folk - Original Release Date: January 3, 2006 - Running Time: 33:31 Click to listen to a free Justin Robert's PodcastTrack Listing1. Why Not a Spark? Listen 2. Nothing Much In Tarnish Listen 3. Here, Kitty, Kitty4. The #1 Fellow5. Make That Two Listen 6. Giddy Up Gideon7. Moses Thought It Odd8. No Spring Chicken9. Ruth 1:16-1710. Just a Giant11. Where Were You?12. Centuries
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (10 reviews)
5 Star
8
4 Star
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3 Star
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10 of 10(100%) people would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Review 1 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
June 6, 2008
Why Not Sea Monsters? Justin Roberts
"For many artists, children's music is a side project. If you're Justin Roberts, however, you're already a children's music artist, so what's your side project? It's recording as Why Not Sea Monsters? with frequent collaborator Liam Davis.
In late 2005, Roberts and Davis released two Why Not Sea Monsters CDs -- Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures and Songs from the New Testament. Most of you will recognize that these albums have a distinctly... Biblical aspect to them. (My readers, they're sharp.) Roberts was commissioned to write many of these songs by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, he wrote a few more when deciding to record the album, and added a couple covers.
To put in context my review of the album's music, I should explain to you my history with Christian music.
Which is to say, virtually none. Aside from my U2 albums (upon which some churches are basing entire services), the only Christian music album I've ever owned was Amy Grant's Unguarded, and I didn't buy it for the praise music. I bought it because the music was good. The message was secondary. (That's still the case today, even though I'm now an active member of a mainline Protestant church.)
For the most part, the music here is good. Those of you expecting Meltdown! Bible Stories, as Roberts and Davis dial back some of the tempo and layering of instruments found on that album. Instead, they're content to play mostly mid-tempo acoustical songs in the manner of "Roller in the Coaster" off Way Out or "Koala Bear Diner" off Meltdown!. Given that many of these songs may end up in Sunday School curricula, the fact that many of these songs are little more than guitar and drums and/or bass, the simplicity is appropriate. (Each of the 35-or-so-minute discs include chords and lyrics.)
The best songs are those where Roberts lets his humor shine and he puts his own spin on stories so familiar that most people, Christian or not, would recognize them. On the sweet and poppy "Why Not a Spark?," Roberts' narrator tells of God choosing what to bring forth at the Creation, but he keeps getting ahead of himself ("On the fifth day / God said, why not sea monsters / Why not starfish and lobsters / why not airplanes over water / Wait that's later!"). Or Daniel in the lion's den who beckons the lion with "Here kitty kitty / Won't you come kitty kitty" ("Here Kitty Kitty"). As a whole, Roberts has written Christian music without much trace of sappiness.
I found the songs on Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures more enjoyable, and maybe that's because my raised-not-in-Sunday-School theological foundations are pretty weak and I was drawn to the more familiar stories in the Old Testament. Hebrew Scriptures also has the advantage of having Roberts cover Craig Wright's "Where Were You?," a beautiful hymn ("Where were you when I crafted you a language... / So you could live and die with dignity / And shake your fist with poetry, imagining creation from the first") for which Roberts and Davis pull out all the instrumental tricks (strings, for example) they've otherwise left in the bag. It's an absolutely gorgeous song. On the other hand, New Testament's stories are less familiar and the songs aren't as compelling ("Lydia" has the lyric "Her name was Lydia / Our hearts will never be rid of ya," which, I'm sorry, bugs the heck out of me).
Biblical songs can probably be sung at any age, but I think the morals and religious precepts contained within the songs are most appropriate for kids aged 3 through 10.
In the end, this is a Christian music album, and there's no two ways around it. Having said that, I think you just need a basic Christian belief system (regardless of whether you attend church regularly) to enjoy the CDs. [And, as a reader subsequently pointed out to me, the Hebrew Scriptures CD is appropriate for persons of the Jewish faith as well.] Regardless of your faith, if you're not sure these are for you, start off with Hebrew Scriptures. Recommended."
In late 2005, Roberts and Davis released two Why Not Sea Monsters CDs -- Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures and Songs from the New Testament. Most of you will recognize that these albums have a distinctly... Biblical aspect to them. (My readers, they're sharp.) Roberts was commissioned to write many of these songs by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, he wrote a few more when deciding to record the album, and added a couple covers.
To put in context my review of the album's music, I should explain to you my history with Christian music.
Which is to say, virtually none. Aside from my U2 albums (upon which some churches are basing entire services), the only Christian music album I've ever owned was Amy Grant's Unguarded, and I didn't buy it for the praise music. I bought it because the music was good. The message was secondary. (That's still the case today, even though I'm now an active member of a mainline Protestant church.)
For the most part, the music here is good. Those of you expecting Meltdown! Bible Stories, as Roberts and Davis dial back some of the tempo and layering of instruments found on that album. Instead, they're content to play mostly mid-tempo acoustical songs in the manner of "Roller in the Coaster" off Way Out or "Koala Bear Diner" off Meltdown!. Given that many of these songs may end up in Sunday School curricula, the fact that many of these songs are little more than guitar and drums and/or bass, the simplicity is appropriate. (Each of the 35-or-so-minute discs include chords and lyrics.)
The best songs are those where Roberts lets his humor shine and he puts his own spin on stories so familiar that most people, Christian or not, would recognize them. On the sweet and poppy "Why Not a Spark?," Roberts' narrator tells of God choosing what to bring forth at the Creation, but he keeps getting ahead of himself ("On the fifth day / God said, why not sea monsters / Why not starfish and lobsters / why not airplanes over water / Wait that's later!"). Or Daniel in the lion's den who beckons the lion with "Here kitty kitty / Won't you come kitty kitty" ("Here Kitty Kitty"). As a whole, Roberts has written Christian music without much trace of sappiness.
I found the songs on Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures more enjoyable, and maybe that's because my raised-not-in-Sunday-School theological foundations are pretty weak and I was drawn to the more familiar stories in the Old Testament. Hebrew Scriptures also has the advantage of having Roberts cover Craig Wright's "Where Were You?," a beautiful hymn ("Where were you when I crafted you a language... / So you could live and die with dignity / And shake your fist with poetry, imagining creation from the first") for which Roberts and Davis pull out all the instrumental tricks (strings, for example) they've otherwise left in the bag. It's an absolutely gorgeous song. On the other hand, New Testament's stories are less familiar and the songs aren't as compelling ("Lydia" has the lyric "Her name was Lydia / Our hearts will never be rid of ya," which, I'm sorry, bugs the heck out of me).
Biblical songs can probably be sung at any age, but I think the morals and religious precepts contained within the songs are most appropriate for kids aged 3 through 10.
In the end, this is a Christian music album, and there's no two ways around it. Having said that, I think you just need a basic Christian belief system (regardless of whether you attend church regularly) to enjoy the CDs. [And, as a reader subsequently pointed out to me, the Hebrew Scriptures CD is appropriate for persons of the Jewish faith as well.] Regardless of your faith, if you're not sure these are for you, start off with Hebrew Scriptures. Recommended."
1 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
February 5, 2013
A favorite
"As a Christian parent, I went looking for music that tells biblical stories. I remembered singing such songs as a kid, but was very disappointed to currently find only cd's with children's singing voices. If I was going to listen to this music with my kids, I wanted to enjoy it, too, and not feel like I was in preschool. This fits the bill perfectly!"
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
mom
Location - KS
Number of Kids - 1
Age of youngest child - 5-7
Age of oldest child - 5-7
Age - 30-39
April 6, 2012
Love this CD
"All of Justin Roberts CDs are enjoyable for parents and kids. This one has great Bible stories that are easy to understand and stimulate great conversation. Really catchy tunes; easy to sing along."
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Review 4 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
Giovanna
Location - Brooklyn, NY
Number of Kids - 1
Age of youngest child - 0-1
Age of oldest child - 0-1
Age - 30-39
August 30, 2011
Also good, but we found the other one better
"Justin Roberts is great, we love all his cds. His songs are fun, clever and have great musical quality. My toddler loves them, and so do I.
We got both Why Not Sea Monsters cds and we like them but I found that the other one (New Testament) has the best songs. By the way, this CDs are not only for those religious folks, the songs are great regardless of your religion, seriously."
We got both Why Not Sea Monsters cds and we like them but I found that the other one (New Testament) has the best songs. By the way, this CDs are not only for those religious folks, the songs are great regardless of your religion, seriously."
0 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
CanadianInTexas
Location - Austin, TX
Number of Kids - 2
Age of youngest child - 0-1
Age of oldest child - 2-4
Age - 30-39
September 17, 2010
Excellent Bible-based songs
"Let me start by saying I LOVE this CD. That is a big deal because I'm picky, especially with regard to Christian music (which so often is cheesy, and/or dumbed down, and/or poor quality) This album was recommended to me by a friend with good taste, so I decided to give it a try and was not disappointed.
The music itself is simple, in a good way. Catchy tunes that stick in your head. Mainly acoustic in style, fun but not too noisy. No artificial-sounding kids voices in the background (thank you!!) I find Justin's voice to be a bit whiny at times but not too bad...I certainly couldn't do better :)
The lyrics are AWESOME. It can be tricky to make Bible stories accessible without watering them down or "spicing them up" to the point of inaccuracy. This album strikes that perfect balance, IMO.
In many of the songs, Justin explores some of the thoughts and feelings that may have been experienced by God, Abraham, David and others. But I would say it is done in a respectful way that stays true to the Biblical accounts. In fact, this CD helped me see these people and stories in a whole new light! For example, I had never really thought about how much God must have loved Noah. And in all the songs, God's creativity and love and holiness spills all over the place, it just can't be contained!
Truth be told, my kids are still too young to fully understand these songs, but every time I put on this album, I end up in a place of worship. I hope and pray that one day they will have the same reaction."
1 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
Ethel
Location - Georgia
October 16, 2008
Great Music for kids and adults
"I bought this for my 3rd grade class at a Classical Christian School. They love it and I do too! Many of the songs work in with the curriculum I teach and it has been proven that music is a way to help students remember what they learn."
0 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
3mom
Location - South Carolina
Number of Kids - 3
Age of youngest child - 2-4
Age of oldest child - 8+
Age - 40-49
May 7, 2008
Awesome music
"I heard Justin Roberts on the Noggin channel one day and thought his song was really cute. So I went out looking for more of his stuff and found "Why Not Sea Monsters." What a clever and entertaining CD. My kids and I both love it and sing the lyrics all day long. Definitely a good buy."
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Review 8 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
JCLsMom
Location - Chicago, Illinois
Number of Kids - 3
Age of youngest child - 0-1
Age of oldest child - 5-7
Age - 30-39
May 7, 2008
Highly Recommended
"This CD is awesome- it has bible songs that are totally original, new, different, and fun for kids. I have lots of Bible Cd's and my kids are tired of hearing the same songs over and over. They love this CD and mom and dad can't stop listening to it either. I have purchased it as a gift for all of our friends."
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Review 9 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
hartleystudio
Location - Illinois
Number of Kids - 2
Age of youngest child - 0-1
Age of oldest child - 5-7
Age - 40-49
April 12, 2008
Perfect kid music!
"This is now my FAVORITE Justin Roberts CD!!! It's even on MY i-pod! The songs are funny and sweet and spiritual but not sappy. This is a great CD for the whole family!"
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Review 10 for Why Not Sea Monsters: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures Artist: Justin Roberts
Rating:
Would you recommend? Yes
Katykins
Location - Minneapolis
Number of Kids - 3
Age of youngest child - 2-4
Age of oldest child - 5-7
Age - 30-39
April 10, 2008
An Excellent Musical Pick
"This CD is actually quite amazing. The songs stick closely to scripture and help learn the stories. But beyond that, there is theological depth that kids can really "get". For example, the song about Jonah doesn't simply tell what happened but reminds us that "God is in the fish". At the same time, each song is clever, catchy and humorous. We, the parents, enjoy this CD almost as much as the kids do. The song, "Where Were You" is not written by Justin, but is performed in a way that makes it a masterpiece of children's music. Our first copy started skipping - probably from overuse - and we felt we had to replace it right away."
0 of 1 found this review helpful.
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