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After the Storm

(2003, R&b, by Monica, Label: Atlantic)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Monica raps and rhymes in this so-so album.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    In "Don't Gotta Go Home" Monica pleads with a married man to stay overnight with her.

  • Violence:

    In "So Gone" Monica threatens to kick down an ex-boyfriend's door.

  • Sex:

    In "So Gone," Monica wonders what her ex's new girlfriend does better than she did. In "Knock Knock" she moves into a new place and tells her boyfriend he'll sleep alone tonight.

  • Language:

    This album is not stickered but cuts off a couple of four-letter words that would have earned it a parental advisory label.

  • Consumerism:

    The few references are humorous or well-intentioned. In "U Should've Known Better," Monica denies needing furs or jewelry or shopping in L.A. to cement a relationship. In "Knock Knock" Missy Elliot disses Monica's answering machine and asks why she doesn't have call waiting.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There are no obvious references to drugs or alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About After the Storm

Parents need to know that Monica writes about boyfriends, love, and sex, and the disappointments they can bring. But most of the electricity comes from the hip-hop tracks written and coproduced by Missy Elliott.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether they agree with Monica that singing lyrics you've written yourself makes you sing with more feeling. Discuss what you might write about and how it might sound set to music -- say, a rap rhythm?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    QueenNisey
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    A Good Listen for most

    I really enjoyed this album, but there is some questionable material for young teens dealing with sex and relationships.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    nishaluv327
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I thought that Monica's after the storm was an excellent CD with a great mix of diiferent types of songs. These songs talk about real life experiences and are very relatable.Monica's song "I wrote this song" made me cry. My favorite song on the album was "You should've known better" because i was so real. This is a great cd.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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