Preschool Rockstar – Tiny Humans, Big World (Album Review)

Today’s review features the band Preschool Rockstar with their album “Tiny Humans, Big World”. The band lists the genre of this album as “Children’s Music (for young and adults).” “Tiny Humans, Big World is a high energy rock album for kids and their parents who grew up on vinyl. Blending the spirit of ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s rock with playful lyrics from her inner child, Preschool Rockstar delivers a soundtrack for playtime that’s as fun for grownups as it is for little ones. Packed with big riffs, catchy hooks, and plenty of heart, it’s music the whole family can turn up to eleven.”

Preschool Rockstar is born from an idea Marty Long had while strolling through the playground, trailed by a pack of three-year-old groupies. A lifelong musician, she’s found her most engaged and enthusiastic audiences in children and their families. Long is a songwriter, vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, and a child at heart. Influenced by works from Belly and Nirvana to Chopin and Ginastera, she now proudly embraces her role as an independent kids’ musician, bringing rock energy and heart to every song garnering her a Nomination for Josie Music Awards Children’s Artist of the Year. (Bio)

As Preschool Rockstar, Marty Long continues to bridge the gap between professional early childhood education and engaging musical entertainment. Her work represents a unique position in children’s music, where classroom expertise directly informs artistic creation, resulting in songs that are both developmentally appropriate and genuinely enjoyable for young audiences. Through Preschool Rockstar, Marty Long has demonstrated how children’s music can serve multiple functions: entertainment, education, emotional support, and community building.

Her pandemic-era compositions particularly showcase music’s power to help children navigate difficult circumstances while maintaining optimism and connection. The Preschool Rockstar website describes itself as “the ultimate destination for your little ones to unleash their inner rockstar and embark on a musical journey like no other”, focusing on creating “an engaging experience that will have your child rockin’ and rollin’ in no time.”

So let’s have a listen …

This album kicks off with the song New Shoes. Starting with an electronic keyboard. Basic sing-along. “I’ve got my new shoes on, I’ve got two feet, I got ten toes, I’ve got my new shoes on.” Then we go through a litany of shoe colors and types of shoes. This song is written for children to sing. I think the keyboard sounds are a little cheesy for an adult audience, but they probably will work well for children. The song is very repetitive.

Feelings – “this is a song about feelings.” “Can you tell me how you’re feeling without words to say.” Show me your bravest face, show me with a smile, etc. I like the keyboards on this song, more of a straightforward piano vibe.

Count with Me is the third song on the album. Starts with counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pause) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. “I’m going to count from one to ten, and start all over again. I’ve got ten little fingers, and ten little toes.” Very much a children’s song. Having taught first graders this week, I can very much relate. The accompaniment on this song is an acoustic guitar. I really like the children singing along on this one

Racecar, the fourth song on the album, starts with racecar sounds. This song has a much faster pace. Everybody needs a racecar when you’ve got to get moving. I love the electric lead guitar performance on this song, suitable for adult ears. This is a full band track.

Little Monsters Bedtime starts with an electric guitar chord riff, which is interesting. “Do little monsters take a bath? … sweet dreams little monsters”. Obviously, a play on your children being little monsters, which is funny, considering the song is written for children as a sing-along. “Do little monsters Mommas tuck them in and give them a kiss goodnight.”

Garbage Truck starts with a crunchy electric guitar. “Every week or so, comes a truck that we all know, here it comes, it’s the garbage truck.” This is another full band track. Kids are fascinated by big utility vehicles. I like the stop break in the middle and again towards the end of the song, complete with backing up noises.

Little Green Lizard starts with keyboards and an electric rhythm guitar. “Little Green Lizard so cute and small.” “Where’s he going? running oh so fast.” This song has a nice “Little Green Lizard” sing-along for children. I like the backing vocals on this song.

Chocolate Milk starts with a cinematic keyboard riff, reminding me of Phantom of the Opera. I really like the vibe of this track with almost a horror-movie vibe, but the song is about chocolate milk. And who doesn’t love that?

Family starts with a lovely but short electric guitar lead riff. I like how she positively talks about a child having two moms, or even one mom and no dad at home. Everybody’s family is different. A song about love and acceptance. “This is what family looks like, when you’re loving one another, everyone’s family’s different, you see / just what they need.”

Tiny Humans, Big World starts off with a keyboard riff and heavy guitar chords reminiscent of The Who’s Baba O’Riley. “Tiny humans in a big world.” A song about different careers and opportunities for growth. I love the children’s voices discussing what they want to be when they grow up, and the chorus of children singing along with the chorus hook of the song. 

This album is written for small children and their parents. A great way to bond by singing along to these cleverly crafted children’s songs. Overall, it’s a very well-constructed children’s songs album for kids and their parents. The musical performances are nice and well-suited to a children’s record. Reminds me a little of They Might Be Giants’ children’s albums, which is a high compliment. Overall, the album would make a good gift for children and their parents in the upcoming holiday season.

SCORE/Excellent: Marty Long, aka Preschool Rockstar, delivers a lovely album for children and their parents, very suitable for holiday gifting. The whole family will be singing along to these well-crafted children’s songs. Definitely worth a listen if you have young kids. Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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