A Family Album
,
the Verve Pipe
's first LP for kids, went so well that the group -- aka
Brian Vander Ark
-- jumped at the chance to record a second one in 2013.
Are We There Yet?
is cut from the same cloth as
-- it's another ten-song set of shamelessly exuberant, singalong pop -- but it doesn't feel as if
is reworking tired ground. Part of that is due to the album being so irrepressibly cheerful it gives off the impression of perpetual movement, but most of it is due to
and
Donny Brown
's talents, which lie in this kind of big, bright pop. They're clever pop craftsman whose talents extend beyond the mere writing of the song; they can also make a good pop record, layering instruments and effects to give the impression of joyful chaos. Just like they did on
sound like they're having a blast on
so it's easy for the whole family to have a good time with this nifty little record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine