Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this collection is comprised of songs used as a backdrop on the television show The Hills, an MTV reality series spin-off of their Laguna Beach. The show follows 19-year-old Lauren "LC" Conrad as she moves beyond high school and gets an apartment, lands an internship -- at Teen Vogue, no less -- and attends college at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Although the show (and its pretty cast) focuses much attention on appearance, fashion, and boys, the soundtrack has a clean, stronger message of individuality, independence, and girl power.
Families can talk about why these particular songs were selected for the television show and how they contrast with or complement what's happening on-screen. They can also discuss how daunting and frightening it can be to face major changes in life, such as starting college or beginning an internship.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Conny Coon
The Hills is a reality drama that isn't necessarily grounded in reality. The series follows a cast of beautiful blondes throughout Los Angeles as they try to juggle college, work, and relationships. The juggling, however, is all quite glamorous, from classes at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to a highly coveted internship at Teen Vogue to picture-perfect dates and boyfriends.
Thankfully, THE HILLS SOUNDTRACK is more sincere and rooted in reality than the television series or its stars. Separately, each is a palatable pop song with primarily clean content and a mostly positive message. Combined, the songs create a strong statement about independence, enduring life's changes, and seizing opportunities.
The artists are fairly diverse, including Augustana, Jag Star, Lindsay Lohan, Good Charlotte, and Pink, as well as classic late-'80s band Missing Persons. Like the series, the soundtrack skews heavily to girls, and female recording artists are clearly represented. Natasha Bedingfield's lovely "Unwritten" (also the series' theme song) opens the CD with its message about the importance of learning from mistakes and moving forward. Tracks from Imogen Heap, Samantha Moore, and Jag Star focus on breaking up and breaking out of bad relationships. Two anthemic, girls-are-great tunes -- "Ordinary Superstar" by Danielle McKee and "One Girl Revolution" by Superchick -- are pop-y, fist-pumping fun.
Pink's "Long Way to Happy" provides insight into how girls approach love and sex differently than boys. Her subtle references to losing virginity ("Left my childhood behind/in a rollaway bed" and "Too young to know I had it/so it didn't hurt to lose it") are angry and anguished, but may fly over younger listeners' heads.
While the television series is all about a girl's image and appearance, the soundtrack is a welcome contradiction that clearly celebrates substance over style.
Fans of this soundtrack may also enjoy CDs from Jag Star, Pink, or Lindsay Lohan.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome light sexual innuendo ("I don't fool around"). Several references to losing virginity. |
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ViolenceReference to a rifle and shooting in "One Girl Revolution," though they are metaphors for strength. |
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LanguageOne instance of "fake-ass girls." |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorContrary to images portrayed on the television series, the soundtrack has strong, positive messages about looking beyond appearances and not trying to be part of the in-crowd. |
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CommercialismObvious tie-in to the television show. |
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Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
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