For seven years now, we have been publishing books in this barn. We just sent out our 46th title, in fact.

It’s true that some of these books have not actually been books. We’ve created posters and broadsides. We’ve made boxes of illustrated tiles and two albums. But even when we’ve ventured into the realm of audible art in the past, we’ve been collaborating with musicians whose projects were already under way.

Now, however, with Bobbledy Books, we have assumed the mantle of music producers (sort of). The sixth and final item in this first year of Bobbledy Books will be an album by our dear friend (and certified musical genius) Drew Bunting.

If you went to college with us (or have known us for a long time), you probably remember Drew. He is tall and riddled with charisma. He sings like a choir boy and writes lyrics like a man who has made a pact with the devil (in the almost-too-good-to-be-true Robert Johnson sense). He plays several instruments well, several others plausibly, and he hollers real good. And in less than a week, we’ll be releasing his first album for kids, I Don’t Wanna Brush My Teeth, and sending it out to the Bobbledy membership.

Drew has been working on the album for about a year now, sending us demos recorded on his phone, asking for input, making adjustments, laying down many tracks, and gradually building lush walls of smack-you-where-it-feels-good sound. Drew’s songs are funny and smart and beautiful and imaginative and revealing and sometimes weird and ultimately oh so true. There are eight tracks on this disk, including an epic journey down the toilet bowl, a tribute to the underloved dust bunny, a Spanish-style ode to Godzilla’s pal Mothra, a joyful romp on the pleasures of disobedience, a spirited paean to the groundhog, and a beautiful tribute to the imagination.

And…in case you missed it over on the Bobbledy Blog (and are somewhere with powerful speakers), here is a sneak preview of the first track of the album.

Bobbledy

In addition to being the official Bobbledy Books theme song, it is a spirited homage to all things fun and joyful in life. It is also our new driving music. Kato demands that it be played the moment we get into the car.

If you don’t know Drew’s music, you should. If you’ve been meaning to sign up for Bobbledy Books, there might be no more perfect moment. The album ships within the week.

Here is drew rocking with his boys. It is good to have a built in backup band.

And if you are an adult who loves music, Drew, or Robbi’s drawing of a bird on a watermelon and does not own a copy of Drew’s album The New South, then your life is far from complete.

This, too, can be easily remedied.