Party Time With Patrick is a 30 minute pop and rock album by Patrick Adams. In each of the 10 fun songs, he celebrates a different special occasion in both a digestible and danceable way, wonderfully mixing pop and rock in songs like Graduation Days, Champions, Birthday Bash, and more. This upbeat album is meant for kids and parents alike to jam out to and definitely made me get up and dance to its great melodies.
I could certainly see some of these songs making it to a kid's birthday party. Its catchy and fun tunes are more appropriate to kids younger than me and I imagine they would be moving and singing along to the music. The songs have a 1990s to early 2000s vibe, which might give some parents a bit of nostalgia. The instrumentals are my favorite part of each song. Props to Erik Gatchalian, who provides instrumentals for this album. He really works his magic and gives the songs that professional feel. However, at times it seems that the vocals and the instrumentals don't mix all that well. Note that this album focuses primarily on fun topics. My favorite song is Champions because both the instrumentals and vocals really shine.
The album sends the message to always celebrate special and important occasions as much and as many times as you can.
I give Party Time With Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available at online music retailers now.
By Eli C., KIDS FIRST Film Critic, age 10
Party time with Patrick is an ideal album for children and their families to listen and sing along for various events.
One thing appealing about the film is that it is cheerful and funky, which is attractive to kids. What is unappealing about the album is that, some lyrics, such as 'Party Time,' feel robotic and there is no rhyme scheme. The lyrics are child-appropriate and it can be used for events and holidays.
The album's songs are set in a way that they can be seen as a story, as each song tells a tale, like getting ready for graduation, or celebrating a birthday. An example is "The Life Of A Party" where the singer talks about the social anxiety of a person dealing with the inability to fit in. The content of the songs encourages the listeners to be active and celebrate life. The song "Anniversary" encourages the listener to celebrate any occasion. The vocal performance is good. While the beat could have been slower for certain songs, the fast tempo adds energy. These songs offer entertainment value; however, there is no educational value per se. They are well-suited for casual listening or for singing along with children. The recording could possibly make children more curious about the world.
There are songs for various events like parties, birthdays, or just casual listening. The way the album is structured makes it easy for to sing along. It is cheerful, funky, and neatly presented, which naturally attracts kids. The bright and lively mood creates an enjoyable atmosphere that encourages participation, whether by singing or dancing along. Each track tells a unique tale, capturing moments like preparing for graduation or celebrating a child's birthday. A standout example is the song "The Life of a Party," which explores the social anxiety experienced by someone struggling to fit in. This adds a layer of emotional depth to the album, giving it more meaning beyond its fun beats.
The album's message is really about enjoying life and celebrating events such as birthday and anniversaries in a musical way.
I give Party Time with Patrick 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8-12.
By Oyebisola O., KIDS FIRST!
And wouldn't you know it--it moved. It jumped. It danced. It sang like it was having fun. Whatever my reservations, the music is varied, well-played, and professionally produced. The lyrics, while not my brand of poetry, have a democratic charm: they practically call out to a kid, "Hey--you could write a song too!" And that's not nothing. Encouraging creativity is always a win.
The album's theme is celebrations--holidays of all shapes, sizes, and calendars. If you've ever thought, "We should throw a parade for Arbor Day," Patrick's your guy. It's about year-round license to let your hair down (or up, or sideways--free country). It's a rousing, rip-roaring sing-a-long of yearly celebrations from birthdays to New Years. There's something admirable about taking every excuse to party, even if your idea of a wild time is cake for breakfast. Now, here's the rub: I'm not sold on Patrick's singing and the lyrics didn't resonate with me. And yet, somehow, the whole contraption keeps chugging along and there are some very strong instrumentals, clever production and performances here. Making any children's album is a feat of logistics, heart, and caffeine, and on that front, Patrick delivers. Whether or not you want to hop aboard the Patrick Train--that's your call.
Me? I can lead a horse to water, but I can't make it sing along. That's why I use a pen instead of a pencil--less erasing, more committing. So, here's my advice: give it a listen and decide for yourself. Maybe you'll dance. Maybe you'll wince. Maybe you'll end up somewhere in between, tapping your foot in spite of yourself. Either way, it's a party, and Patrick has already passed out the noisemakers.
If its purpose is to create some fun, encourage kids to participate and dance along, then that's been achieved. The content is appropriate for its target audience - it's loud, has a kid's mosh pit vibe - if there is such a thing. As to whether it will stick over repeated play that is debatable.
I give Party Time with Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8.
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Critic
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