Grammar Rock (Schoolhouse Rock 1973)

Schoolhouse Rock owns the bragging rights to being the hippest musical vehicle to elementary education. Grammar Rock is a particularly compelling volume, bringing jazz vocal legend Bob Dorough to the lyrical table, untangling the secrets of the English language in a way that's both entertaining and instructive. The music is never less than humorously beguiling, comfortable in its simplicity and yet unafraid to dance outside the lines. Yes, the music sounds a tad manufactured, but this is the soundtrack for Generation X's early education. And, yes, this is a short CD--clocking in at 27 minutes--but it's not about length, it's about ideas. --Andrew Bartlett