Take a techno beat, sound effect freedom, sweet words of childhood motivation, acoustic guitars and pianos, and unison female and male vocals. .wrap it up in an upbeat mood and panning vocals that remind us a bit of a Mercury production, and you will have the first track, "Outdoor Adventure", from "Kids Alternative Music". The collection is a departure from standard family/children's music as billed - it's alternative. Artistically it approaches the land established in part by TMBG but with an organic feel that is far from mechanical and squeaky clean. Ultimately, there are really no jokes on the album, these are songs about adventure and the wonders of being a kid. In track 3, "Down by the Rivers Edge", the feel has a bit-chaotic percussion thing that supports a Cat Stevens sensibility as lyrics, 'singing with a frog is a happy time, sitting with a frog on a log' smile throughout. Track 6, "Natural Powered Robot", gives a earth-friendly glimpse at a robot who is solar and wind powered. Mechanized vocals deliver lyrics, 'i'm a robot, natural power, electricity'. The eighth track, "Gold Rush", uses the metaphor of the Westward expansion to encourage kids to follow their dreams. Track 9, "Bug Hug", has a similar encouraging message as the act of 'hugging yourself' is given its due. The final track, "Traveling By Star", expresses an outer-space adventure, 'you don't need a rocket, just to wish now and dream, you can travel. .by star'. Overall the effort is compelling in the musical ground that's covered - "Kids Alternative Music" is precisely that - a CD of musical adventures intended to give a youthful audience a bit more substance and exposure to the possibilities of musical composition and production. It's a fun record.