Music Review: A Very Veggie Easter

Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Great fun and a CD about Easter
Cons: Wish it dealt with the Easter story more strongly
The Bottom Line:
Kids' Easter music
Could be stronger on message
But still lots of fun




Join Bob and Larry for Easter Morning Sunday School

I have often bemoaned the lack of Easter albums. It seems to me that Christians especially should truly celebrate this holiday because it means so much to us. Obviously, the guys at Big Idea agreed with me because they gave us A Very Veggie Easter.

Since this release is aimed at kids, there is a story to go along with the songs. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber are all set to teach Easter Sunday Sunday School, but Bob is overwhelmed by the number of new kids they have. In fact, they haven't had this many kids since Christmas Eve. How can he teach the Easter story to so many kids?

Fortunately, there are lots of friends around to help. Archibald Asparagus has prepared a song or five about Easter traditions all around the world. Madame Blueberry leads the kids in an upbeat version of the classic hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." The Boyz in the Sink premier this new song "Easter Bunny Hop." And Larry finally gets to tell the kids the sad story of the Easter Cow.

When Bob finally does come up with an idea, it's an Easter egg hunt. But how can that teach the kids about the first Easter?

As always, the Veggies have produced a fun CD. While the lead vocals are the cartoon voices from the better known videos, a kid's choir backs them on this CD. The song styles range from boy band on "Easter Bunny Hop" to a western feel for the silly "How Now Easter Cow," but most stick with a contemporary sound.

Of special note, Second Chapter of Acts member Matthew Ward makes an appearance to teach the kids "The Easter Song," a song that was a huge hit for his group over 30 years ago.

Maybe I was expecting too much from the CD, but I felt it dropped the ball when it came to explaining the Easter story. I'm sure part of it is because their video from a couple years back, An Easter Carol, did such a great job of it and I thought they'd do it again. "An Empty Egg" and a new recording of "Hope's Song" from that video do discuss the empty tomb, but I expected more from the dialog. And Junior Asparagus' sub-plot of missing his dad didn't work to highlight the story for me either.

On the other hand, the first half of the CD is fun. The songs are upbeat, and the dialog appropriately silly. The serious Easter songs are treated as such, but they really let loose and have fun with the fun songs.

This won't join the list of top VeggieTales projects, but it is still a release kids will love and their parents will enjoy. I fully intend to pull A Very Veggie Easter out every Easter as part of my celebration of the holiday.

CD Length: 44:44

Tracks:

1. Hosanna Loud Hosanna

2. All Around the World

3. Christ the Lord is Risen Today

4. Easter Bunny Hop

5. The Easter Song

6. How Now Easter Cow

7. Count Your Eggs

8. An Empty Egg

9. Hope's Song

10. First Things First

11. Christ the Lord (Reprise)

12. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth