Bittersweet Tales of Childhood on ‘Clumsy’

Tapping once again into his own bittersweet childhood, singer-songwriter Lou Del Bianco has followed up last year’s evocative “When I Was a Kid” album with his newest release, “A Little Bit Clumsy,” another collection of truth-filled, entertaining songs that will strike a resonant chord with a lot of kids--adults, too.

Created to sound as if someone is switching channels on the radio, the album combines rock ‘n’ roll-style songs and stories--Del Bianco’s clear-eyed, seriocomic pictures of childhood--with snippets of made-up news reports, commercials and other radio programs.

Highlights include “Walkin’ Home,” about what a day-dreamy, anxious kid thinks about on his trek home alone from school; “One Last Cookie,” a song about temptation; “I Have Six Sisters,” from their only brother’s point of view; the Beatle-esque “Kali,” an ode to a boy’s best (canine) pal; and the too brief, sweetly harmonic “Mustard Tree,” a remembrance of a leafy haven.

* “A Little Bit Clumsy,” Storymaker Records, audiocassette, $10; CD, $14. Shipping extra. (800) 443-4727 (Rounder Kids); (800) 988-KIDS.