copyright 2009, The Washington Post CATHY AND MARCY 'Banjo to Beatbox' Kindred spirits: Sharon, Lois and Bram Here you have all the ingredients needed on a children's CD: articulation, repetition, children singing. Unfortunately, for those parents who want to like their kids' music, what you also have (and what groups such as Lunch Money prove you don't need) is cheesiness. Children's music has come a long way, and Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are part of that trend. 'Banjo to Beatbox' features original songs that include banjo, tuba, a beat box and rapping. 'Jubilation,' which kicks off the CD, is a fun lesson on similar sounding words. 'Hip-Hop Humpty Dumpty' is a funky twist on the old story. The duo harmonizes well and is enthusiastic and engaging, even if vocally one-dimensional. The overall feel of the album is honky-tonk meets musical theater. ('New River Train' takes a page from 'The Music Man.') The melodies are over-simplified and nothing new, and the lyrics are not as entertaining as an adult listener might want. Repetition, while paramount in teaching a child, is also a little grating. This CD won't rock -- and that may be fine for Junior. But for the mom and dad looking for some cool music tagged to their preschool lessons, this may leave them lacking. 