Schoolhouse Rock: Science Rock

Science is maybe the hippest platform for the Schoolhouse Rock crew to build on, as evidenced on this collection. The subjects are quirky, opening with a proto-ragtime/boogie-woogie backing for "The Body Machine," which shares the "traffic flow" approach of America Rock's "I'm Just a Bill" to explain how the body mechanically collects nutrition. With songs like "Interplanet Janet" and "A Victim of Gravity," this collection will newly tickle the ears of adults brought up with these tunes as Saturday-morning cartoon fare. The lyrics, from George Newall, Lynn Ahrens, and singing jazz vet Bob Dorough, are easy company for the sometimes complex notions. Treating the subject of the circulatory system as a dance craze is a great way to tune kids into an intimidating subject. And as usual with Schoolhouse's other titles, the music and vocals are artfully simple but never disappointing. --Andrew Bartlett