Curious George: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies

1	Upside Down 3:28
2	Broken 3:55
3	People Watching 3:19
4	Wrong Turn 2:53
5	Talk of the Town 3:22
6	Jungle Gym 2:24
7	We're Going to Be Friends 2:18
8	The Sharing Song 2:45
9	The 3 R's 2:55
10	Lullaby / Matt Costa 2:48
11	With My Own Two Hands 2:59
12	Questions 4:10
13	Supposed to Be 2:54

Barnes & Noble

It's hard to think of anyone who fills the rock realm's nice-guy niche more perfectly than Jack Johnson -- which makes the uber-mellow Hawaiian the ideal choice to spin a soundtrack for the film of this classic children's tome. Johnson's beckoning, low-key delivery ensures that the bouncy "Upside Down" sticks in the gray matter after a single listen, making it a bona fide "sing-a-long." He's just as capable in turning out the other genre that the disc's title promises: gently soothing tunes, such as a sweet reworking of the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends," that elicit a smile, even as the eyes start to close. Johnson calls on some of his fellow travelers to lend a hand here and there -- frenetic Philadelphian G. Love encourages a bit of aerobic activity through his effervescent "Jungle Gym" -- but it's his good nature that propels the album. Naturally, Johnson seizes the opportunity to preach the green gospel, but he does so both sweetly and cleverly on "The Three Rs" -- a Schoolhouse Rock update that advises kids (and adults, of course) to "reduce, reuse, and recycle." File under: Inspired, G-rated Family Fun. David Sprague

All Music Guide

Perennial surfer dude/singer/songwriter Jack Johnson lends his voice to the eternally silent Curious George on this collection of "Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies", original material built around the famous monkey and his strange obsession with "the Man with the Yellow Hat." Universal Pictures couldn't have picked a better collaborator for this soundtrack to the Curious George film, as Johnson's easygoing delivery and breezy demeanor match George's silent curiosity to a T. Fellow songwriters Ben Harper, G. Love, and Matt Costa contribute three songs to the predominantly children-oriented affair, while Johnson and band give up an island rendition of the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends," as well as the umpteenth cover of Schoolhouse Rock!'s "Three Is the Magic Number." Heady stuff? Not exactly, but there's not an ounce of pretense to the project, making it a fun, safe bet for kids and a forgettable -- yet not entirely unpleasant -- piece of escapism for adults. Reverend Lee Power