Common Sense Note
This CD is a study in contradictions: sexist and sexy; heavily PC at times (lyrics in Tagalog, moments of heavy-handed social consciousness) and questionable at others ("Let's Get Retarded!"). If you're not disturbed by occasional profanity, you'll enjoy these songs.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
The Black Eyed Peas seem to want you to know that they've worked very hard on this CD. The production is exquisite, the performances are consistently excellent, and the songwriting is carefully eclectic. Melding every known brand of funk with hip-hop, they've come up with an end result that is powerful, danceable, and fun.
The social messages are all over the place, and therefore confusing. There's big-time social consciousness (on "The APL Song" and "Where Is The Love"), sexiness (on "Sexy" and "Latin Girls") and sexism (pretty much everywhere, oddly enough, since they seem quite enlightened in other areas).
"Let's Get Retarded" begs to be the most controversial song, inspiring endless fan-group postings about whether or not it is indeed making fun of the developmentally disabled, or simply a let's-get-crazy dance anthem in the humorous "dare to be stupid" vein. This might serve as a useful family discussion point for some. Others--those who are not disturbed by the occasional profanity or sexual reference--will just keep dancing.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentThere is some sexual imagery, notably in the song "Sexy" ("Take off our clothes/We look better undressed"). |
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ViolenceThis is a dance record, first and foremost. |
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LanguageThe "s" word is used here and there, as is the "n" word. |
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Social Behavior"Let's Get Retarded" is wildly open to interpretation, though it contains its own lyrical disclaimer. |
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CommercialismThere are no obvious commercial references. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThere's a bit of "get high" innuendo. Ecstasy is mentioned. |
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