Rachael Ray's Too Cool for School: Mixtape for Kids is weirder than you might think from such a mainstream pop culture icon. Along with easily explained choices like the Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and safe picks like the Persuasions' stately take on the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon" or Sarah McLachlan's drowsy "Blackbird,"Ray (or whomever she hired to put together the CD -- a fact the credits don't make entirely clear) throws in some very interesting curveballs both good and bad. The Boy Least Likely To's sweet indie pop gem "Be Gentle with Me" is a welcome surprise, as is Puffy AmiYumi's sugar smacked "Joining a Fan Club" and you also have to admire the inclusion of the wacky rockabilly of the Rock-A-Teens' manic "Woo-Hoo" and Harry Nilsson's tipsy "Coconut." But you really have to wonder about the inclusion of Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz" on a collection of tunes for kids. The same with Nellie McKay's "The Dog Song," which sounds cute on the surface but has lyrics about alcohol abuse and might not really be about walking dogs. Certainly the subject matter is too rich for kids the age of those pictured on the discs cover. Because of these two songs, it's hard to recommend this disc for anyone who doesn't feel like explaining to their kids why Joplin is praying for a fancy car or McKay is tossing back Vermouth and beer like a sailor. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
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