Splash

Sounds like … a cappella pop and doo-wop along the lines of The Nylons and Rockapella, accompanied by programmed drums and written for a younger audienceAt a glance … Go Fish has a blast attempting to connect with kids, and chances are really good that some adults will have fun listening to it tooTrack ListingI've Got the JoyThe B-I-B-L-EAlleluiaBig, Bad BillyYou Are MinePlanes, Phones and MicrowavesThis Little Light of MineLadybugMy Very Own ChurchI'll Do My Best*.The Moo Moo Song

A statistic claims that 80% of believers accept Christ into their life before the age of 18. This not only makes a case for relevant Christian rock, but a need for more Christian kids music. Jamie Statema of Go Fish knows a little something about this, becoming a Christian after seeing the band Found Free in sixth grade. Splash is the pop a cappella trio's attempt to reach out to this younger audience.

At this point, you may be groaning over memories of Raffi and Miss Patty Cake playing in your head. The pleasant surprise with Splash is that it's frivolous, fun, and even less cartoonish than the VeggieTales albums are. Ironically, Go Fish has also managed to create an album more original and entertaining than their more "serious" work. By wisely avoiding the temptation to dumb down the songs, they've made an album not just for 7-12 year olds, but all ages. And it's a joy to not only hear these guys sing, but emulate musical instruments throughout—the only non a cappella instruments are the programmed drums.

Except for new versions of the classics "This Little Light of Mine" and "The B-I-B-L-E," Splash consists of originals written by Statema. "Big Bad Billy" is merely a nonsense song, and don't tell me that kids haven't wished for a place of worship like the one in "My Very Own Church," equally amusing and nurturing. The silliness is balanced with the lullaby "You Are Mine," the pleasantly worshipful "I'll Do My Best," and "Planes, Phones and Microwaves," which enjoyably thanks God for education and scientific inventions. Go Fish seems to have found their strongest niche with this catchy, goofy, yet meaningful album.