DadJoke’s "Fun Intended" proves great kid's music can Rock
Children’s music often falls into one of two traps…it either talks down to its audience or becomes so relentlessly educational that it forgets to be entertaining. Dave Reminick, the creative force behind DadJoke, sidesteps both pitfalls with ease on Fun Intended, a truly delightful album that embraces imagination, humor, and adventurousness without sacrificing genuine craftsmanship. We can confidently say we’ve never heard anything like it, but that’s really the magic of it all. We’ll 100% be playing it for our kids someday!
Reminick is hardly a newcomer to music though. Best known for nearly two decades as guitarist, singer, and songwriter in the Chicago post-punk band Paper Mice, he brings a wealth of experience to this family friendly project. While the album is unquestionably designed for children, it is produced, arranged, and performed with the care and sophistication of a record aimed at listeners of any age.
The album’s self-described mission as “Weird Music for Weird Kids” perfectly captures the spirit. Rather than limiting itself to a single genre or formula, Fun Intended bounces joyfully between influences. Rock forms its foundation, but traces of punk, funk, jazz, folk, metal, R&B, theatrical Broadway flair, and seemingly so much more enter the mix. It’s hard to overstate just how many genres he tackles here, yet the album still flows super seamlessly. At the end of the day, he kept us guessing from song to song! The metal coming out briefly on “This is a Duck” put the absolute biggest smile on our faces.
From the beginning to end, the songs celebrate curiosity, creativity, and the wonderfully strange ways children view the world. Kids are likely to be captivated by the colorful storytelling and infectious energy, while adults will appreciate the clever songwriting and impressive musicianship operating beneath the surface. As a parent, you won’t be bored listening over and over, that’s a fact.
Reminick’s vocal performances are another highlight. He approaches every song with an expressive enthusiasm that feels completely authentic. Whether he's leaning into a joke, a character, or an emotional moment, his delivery is animated. His charisma comes through naturally and only adds to the record’s greatness.
Of course, Fun Intended isn’t afraid to embrace a little cheesiness. In fact, it often revels in it, but that’s part of its charm. Like the best dad jokes, the album understands that sincerity and silliness can coexist beautifully. The difference is that instead of groans, these songs inspired smiles!
With Fun Intended, DadJoke has created something so so so rare in today’s music scape. It’s a children’s album that respects its audience while remaining endlessly entertaining. It’s clever, catchy, heartfelt, and wonderfully strange, and we adored it sincerely. Play this for everyone you know, please! Click those links below to enjoy, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for more.
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