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Release Therapy

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intelligence and humor, explicitly delivered.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A mixed bag, including sexist and racist language as well as some very good, strong messages about integrity, hope, and pride.
  • Violence:

    Some violent imagery in the lyrics.
  • Sex:

    Sex references are explicit and objectify women. "I'm gonna make 'em dance so I can see them shake they ass/then I'll put 'em in a trance till I get 'em out of them pants."
  • Language:

    Just about every four-letter word you've ever heard, and maybe even some you haven't.
  • Consumerism:

    Quite a few brand names are mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A couple of references to drinking ("Patron") and drugs ("X").

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Release Therapy was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Parents need to know that Ludacris is neither for wussies nor for dummies. (Or more nicely put, he's neither for the impressionable/sensitive nor for the unsophisticated listener.) His strongly worded messages are delivered with humor, intelligence, and a social conscience -- as well as full-tilt enthusiasm for "wild" women and the party life. Parents with strict limits about lyrics in popular music should avoid Ludacris, plain and simple. The edited versions of his songs sound ridiculous; the omitted words are plentiful and obvious, and the tracks end up sounding like nonsense. For those willing to evaluate albums on a case-by-case basis, however, there's a lot to be said for making an exception for Ludacris' newest offering, despite a liberal sprinkling of racist, sexist, and explicit language.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about whether Ludacris could get his point across as vividly with milder language. Aside from shock value, what does he accomplish artistically by pushing the envelope in this way? Families with relatives in prison will appreciate "Do Your Time," a shout-out to incarcerated friends and relatives.
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More on Release Therapy

What’s the Story?

On RELEASE THERAPY, Ludacris shows that he knows how to build a song dramatically, with attention paid to instrumental dynamics and background vocals. Even at his most explicit and inappropriate, Ludacris delivers a potent mix of intelligence and humor. It's true he writes lyrics that objectify women, but there are also messages of hope, pride, and social consciousness ("I said it's time to stop the stealing/time to stop disrespecting our women/It's time to come home and raise our children ... to really mold our communities," on "Freedom of Preach"). The highlight of Release Therapy is "Do Your Time," a shout-out to incarcerated friends and family members meant to deliver a message of inspiration, hope, and self-esteem.

Is It Any Good?

The difference between Ludacris and someone like, oh, let's say Chingy, is that Ludacris brings more to the table than a bunch of swear words and a lust for the party life. He's a vivid, funny, and soulful lyricist, as well as an energetic performer. Parents with strict limits on lyrics in popular music should avoid Ludacris, plain and simple. But if you're going to break down and let your kids buy an explicit album every now and then, you could do a lot worse than Ludacris, who writes with substance and artistry.

Music Details

Released on: 09/26/2006
Parental advisory: Yes, Edited version available: Yes

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    good songs bad messages

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 3.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Mississippi
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    a good album

    although parents may not agree with all of his lyrics they are still genuine (he's really cute) but back to business his lyrics sometimes match up with his rapper name ludacris but datz all i got to 2 say

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Great for adults!

    This album is meant for adults, and I promise to any adult: You will enjoy it!

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