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All fans, or parents of fans, of Playhouse Disney’s bouncy Imagination Movers music quartet have reason for excitement this week, as a new CD from the band hits shelves tomorrow. Meanwhile, The Imagination Movers themselves resume filming their hit series in New Orleans this month.
Stitch Kingdom reports that the band’s new CD, released on June 8, features 18 original songs from the second season of Imagination Movers. It also has some details of the third season of the show, which sees the Movers explore beyond the Idea Warehouse and meet up with even more surprise guest stars.
I didn’t know anything about the show before learning of the upcoming soundtrack, so I did some research and here’s what I learned, for my fellow uninitiated. The biographies and other features on the official Imagination Movers web site describe the show as a story about a bunch of high-energy guys dedicated to using their imagination to solve problems.
Movers members Rich, Scott, Dave, and Smitty hang out in their Idea Warehouse and play songs like “Please and Thank You” and “First Day of School” to help kids learn to keep their minds open and focus on positive attitudes when problem-solving, or just approaching life.
According to Sascha Penn, one of the show’s executive producers, “[The Imagination Movers’ music] isn’t music that as a parent makes you want to rip your hair out. It brings you back to your adolescence.”
In fact, several biographies and features on the show’s web site draw comparisons between the Movers’ sound and bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers or the Beastie Boys. Even their album titles, “Juice Box Heroes” and “For Those About to Hop” intentionally reference songs by Foreigner and AC/DC.
I admit I was surprised by Imagination Movers music. When I listened to the show’s opening and closing themes I didn’t hear anything special, just typical kiddy music. After going through some of the band’s additional songs, however (available for streaming on the web site), I did have to admit that their catalog doesn’t sound cloying at all. Instead, it sounds more like something I might hear on pop or alternative radio than on a children’s station.
I find the Imagination Movers’ back story the most interesting of all. They started out as friends and neighbors in New Orleans. They’d gather in a back room after putting their kids to bed and write songs for their children. At the same time, they also brainstormed ideas and music for a TV show.
After officially forming as a band in 2003 and performing locally in New Orleans, the Movers finally made contact with Disney to produce and distribute their show. But first they had to deal with Hurricane Katrina. The storm nearly destroyed some of the band members’ houses. So in an effort to help rebuild the city, the band negotiated in its contract with Disney for the series to film in New Orleans.
The Imagination Movers did eventually make it to the airwaves in 2008 and since then the band and their show has skyrocketed to national stardom. They play hugely popular concert tours filled with music and dancing, including a set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and a gig for the White House Easter egg roll.
From what I’ve read of the Imagination Movers in these past few days, I have to say it certainly looks and sounds like they deserve all the success they’ve had. Their show looks like a fun and playful time for kids, and one that won’t be instantly annoying to parents. Hopefully they will continue to delight their audience with their new album and next season of the show.
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*(This image by Janet Dancer is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
