Girl Authority

Real girls sing pop hits. Fun for kids.

Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Children's Music Label: Zoe Records Parental Advisory: No Edited Version Available: No Release Date: 04/04/2006

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that there's no offensive content here. Songs even feature positive messages about teammwork and friendship.

Families listening together can talk about how each performer is her own type. Then they could try to figure out which type each family member might be. Country? Rock & Roll? Urban?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Remember the Spice Girls? Each one had a distinct persona and costume. On GIRL AUTHORITY, 9 young performers borrow a page from the Spice book and perform popular hits with distinct personalities.

There have been many "by kids, for kids" rock compilations released recently. The dreary Kidz Bop series comes to mind as a great example of how not to do these projects, with lackluster arrangements, off-key singing, and no credit given to the performers.

GIRL AUTHORITY is different. The idea of having the 9 girls portray different types (Party Girl, All-Star Girl, Urban Girl, Fashion Girl, Rock 'n' Roll Girl, Country Girl, Glamour Girl, Preppy Girl, and Boho Girl) provides a little extra fun. Each girl is shown on her own page of the CD insert, dressed in an appropriate costume. Identified by first name, the girls each list likes and dislikes, astrological sign, and such. The result is that these kids come across as real people and not squeaky disembodied voices.

The other bonus is that they appear to be experienced performers, described in their press release as "9 girls who have been performing together in the musical theater arena for years." It's interesting to hear musical-theater-style vocals on popular hits, and fun to hear the girls, with their different personalities and vocal styles, supporting each other on background vocals.

Overall, it's a lot of fun -- and far better-produced than other similar albums.

Rate It!