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Katharine McPhee

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Idol alum covers teens' emotional ride.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    All over the map...alternately independent/strong and codependent.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Just a bit of innuendo: "Put your hands on me just like a man" in "Do What You Do."
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    "Open Toes" celebrates shopping, whether or not you can really afford it, but no specific brand names are mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Katharine McPhee was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Parents need to know that American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee's perky pop runs the gamut of teenage emotions, covering everything from love's loss and longing to retail therapy. There's no offensive or direct language on this CD -- and it's better than most Idol winners' first efforts.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the phenomenon of American Idol winners releasing huge-selling albums. Do you think Katharine McPhee would have made it on her own, without the benefit of exposure on the popular TV show? Would her first CD have been different, if so?
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More on Katharine McPhee

What’s the Story?

On her self-titled album, KATHARINE McPHEE, McPhee shows that she really can sing -- and deserves every bit of the star treatment she got on American Idol. She's given a chance to strut her considerable stuff on a couple of breathtaking ballads ("Ordinary World" and "Better Off Alone"), but she also shows that she's capable of some "girls-just-wanna-have-fun" attitude on "Open Toes": "Shoes like this make me hate flats... / Swipe that card and I'm good / another pair in leather and wood / I'm a sucker for a name brand." Other songs address tougher emotional terrain, including "Better off Alone," an anthem to independence in the wake of a disappointing love affair.

Is It Any Good?

Katharine McPhee delivers a dozen pleasant tracks of well-performed pop that cover the emotional landscape of being a teen. Lyrics skirt on the edge of innuendo, but are really pretty tame. They're also occasionally really well-written, and always well-performed.

Music Details

Released on: 01/30/2007
Parental advisory: No, Edited version available: No

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

    Average

    As a famous american idol judge might say "so what?" I don't think she really misses the mark totally on this album - but she's not kelly clarkson or christina by any means. My real problem with the album is that I LOVED her on idol - and the album is just bubble gum top 40 garbage... same thing you could get from any above average looking/sounding pop star.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    I Loved It

    OMG this is the best CD I have ever heard any one who dosent like is weird!

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    a pretty good album

    i think Katharine McPhee did a good job on this album.it was (in my opinion)better than her singinging on american idol.it did not have any crude humor at all. so overall i give it 4 stars.

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