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The Block

(2008, Pop, by New Kids on the Block, Label: Interscope Records)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    They're back -- all-grown up, sexy, and confident.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    "Twisted" implies masochism (see above), lots of playful sex talk, a few songs about being tempted to cheat on the dance floor, but not giving in "you make it hard to be faithful when you look like that."

  • Violence:

    "Twisted" implies/glamorizes rough sex, masochism: "I'll push you how you want it/just tell me where to pull/you want it harder/need it harder/girl it's how you like it" and "I'll come and twist it for you/I'll even hit it for you/I'll hurt you if you like it."

  • Sex:

    Lots of sexual innuendo, playful sex talk -- especially on the dance floor, but nothing too graphic: "Wanna be a big girl/got to prove it/with a body like that got a grown man ready to go," "Kissin' on you while the ocean rocked," "I'm gonna give you some grown man../I ain't easy/you gonna be workin' over time," "She's dirty dancin' on me" and "I'm gettin' hotter when she touches me with her fingertips..../I can shower when I get home." The song "Sexify my Love" is about "consummating," but has nothing graphic. "Full Service" is about sex with obvious metaphors: "I'll pump you up 'cause I got the premium." One other song talks about making a sex tape.

  • Language:

    Just "damn" a couple of times and "ass" once.

  • Consumerism:

    Reference to Dirty Dancing, Grey's Anatomy, Nike, and Sony.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Just a few references to drinking wine. "Put it on my Tab" is about buying a girl drinks.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Block

Parents need to know that believe it or not, the original boy band has reunited, and this time they're all grown up. There's a lot of sexual innuendo and implications -- getting a dirty groove on the dance floor, making a sex tape, a little masochism, giving some "grown man" and "sexifying" love -- so it's not the pegged-pants-clean-quintet of yesteryear.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the buzz that always surrounds a band "reuniting." In the case of NKOTB, do you think the majority of society wants to see them succeed or fail, as has-beens? Why? Do you think their style can translate into today's music? What do you think about a band who changes their style to fit the popular brand?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    deenasuprema
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    NKOTB is back, but they are not the bubble gum pop group we all remember. The majority of the songs on the block are associated with sex in one way or another. Some songs are worse than others. There is very little profanity on the album, so that is a plus. I have allowed my older children 13 and 16 to listen to the majority of the album, but my younger children 4 and 9, i skip over probably half the album. As a fan of the group, I have enjoyed the album personally.

    This review...

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

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