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Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

(2007, Compilation, by Various Artists, Label: Warner Brothers)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    All-star compilation with an activist agenda.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Themes of parental abandonment on "Mother," political frustration and discontent on "Gimme Some Truth" ("I've had enough of reading things/By neurotic, pig-headed politicians"), social status and alienation on "Working Class Hero," and disdain for organized religion on "God."
  • Violence:

    "They hurt you at home and they hit you at school" on "Working Class Hero."
  • Sex:

    Mention of the word "masturbation" on "Give Peace a Chance" and "making love" on "(Just Like) Starting Over."
  • Language:

    "Working Class Hero" features the word "f---ing" two times.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    "Cold Turkey" is about exactly what you think it's about -- getting off drugs, with lyrics like "I wish I was dead" and "Thirty-six hours/rolling in pain/Praying to someone/Free me again."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

Parents need to know that this multi-artist compilation was recorded to promote awareness of the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan and net proceeds from CD sales go to Amnesty International. Every track is a cover of a John Lennon song (during his solo career) by modern-day artists such as Green Day, U2, Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Snow Patrol, and more. Some talk about safe themes like world peace, love, fatherhood, and second chances; others deal with more grown-up ones like alienation, abandonment, disdain for religion, getting off drugs, and political conflict. One song features the word "f--ing" twice.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what's happening in Darfur. Why should individuals, families, and communities in other countries get involved with the conflict and genocide in Darfur, and what they can do to help? Families can also talk about music's role in healing. Why is John Lennon's music so relevant to Amnesty International's cause? Although most of the songs on the album were originally recorded in the '70s, how do they fit in with what's going on in the world today? Also, some songs on the album appear multiple times, covered by different bands. Which band's version do you like the best? Why?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Three stars for the covers, five stars for the originals

    Sure, it's for a good cause but the covers really can't match the amazing quality of the original versions. The overall messages are good. While the songs may be angry (Gimme Some Truth) or very sad (Mother-"Children, don't do what I have done/I couldn't walk and I tried to run") they point out important issues like the need for responsible and loving parents and truth in media. My biggest concern would be two uses of f---ing in "Working Class Hero."

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    good stuff for good cause

    Love John Lennon Love The Beatles Love Green Day, U2, Jack Johnson is good, R.E.M does great. Flawless stuff on the cd. Sure to save Darafur

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