The Start of Things follows Alison Faith Levy’s critically praised 2012 debut solo album, World of Wonder, while taking a giant leap forward, both sonically and conceptually, bringing a blockbuster batch of sophisticated pop songs to little ears. Woven throughout the upbeat, lush tunes of The Start of Things are subtle themes of self-expression, self-empowerment, and self-acceptance. Says Alison, “My producer, Allen Clapp, and I approached the recording of The Start of Things in the same way as World of Wonder, finding a production touchstone for each song that would guide its sound and mood. We drew upon such diverse influences as Burt Bacharach and Stephen Sondheim (‘Rainbow Tunnel’), Sharon Jones (‘The Start of Things’), Elvis Costello and the Attractions (‘TLC’), Nino Rota (‘Froggy Dance’), and even solo John Lennon (‘Little Dreamer’). I was also really happy to include ‘If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out’ by Cat Stevens. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs and such a perfect message for children to follow their own path and be heard.” Lilting phrases from a solid, trumpet-led horn line soaring over funky teamwork from drum and bass guitar set the tone for the album’s title track, with Alison Faith Levy’s colorful vocal embracing a wise and sympathetic tribute to apprehension: “If I wasn’t, I’d be missing out on what life’s all about.” A delicate, heartfelt cover of the Cat Stevens classic, “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” is up next, followed by “Pull Your Weeds,” a rollicking piano pop tune (complete with bouncy whistling riff) about friendship, gardening, and finding your inner girl power. Alison Faith Levy uses her memories of traveling through the tunnel that leads from San Francisco’s fog-shrouded Golden Gate to the sunny environs of Marin as a metaphor for a focus on the bright side of life in “Rainbow Tunnel.” The Bacharach-meets-Sondheim composition opens with a brief verse backed by mellow jazz harmonies, interrupted by a spectacular explosion of super pop fireworks before coming to a sweet, wistful conclusion. Other highlights include “Little Dreamer,” a ‘70s-style piano ballad from parent to child, “Are You Happy,” a thumping, upbeat Beatles-esque tune about expressing emotions, and “The Froggy Dance,” based on a Yiddish nonsense poem handed down through generations of women in Alison Faith Levy’s family, set a la giocoso to a Nino Rota/Fellini-style circus theme. “Ballad of Boo Ghosty,” a country-flavored number about a little lost ghost, has a spooky appeal tempered by quaint humor. “TLC” is an Early New Wave/Elvis Costello-influenced ballad about the care and feeding of classroom animals who have caught colds and need some … TLC! The Start of Things comes to a gentle conclusion with Alison Faith Levy’s forthright delivery of “Why Am I Awake,” a dreamy cogitation on insomnia from a child’s perspective.