Express

Feb 25 , 2000
by Larry Kelp

Founding member of the trend-setting a cappella quartet the Bobs, Madsen was responsible for some of their most sizzling arrangements. Lately his solo career has veered into David Byrne territory. So while the rest of the world would immediately notice that this is a children's album, Madsen fans will figure that such songs as "Elephant Traffic jam" and "Selling Lemonade" are just his latest adult compositions. Truth is, this is Madsen's best album, as well as one of the best kids' recordings of the year. There's occasionally a dark underside that adds bite to such sing-alongs as "Born to Chew (We Eat Meat)." And his "Chicken Road" not only is the ultimate chicken song, it's a better pop song than most on the radio today.