Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Mary's message careens from girlfriend solidarity to racial pride to giving up way too much for love. There's some God stuff in there, too. In a way, the songs cancel each other out. Younger listeners might have a question or two.
Families can talk about artists singing about their personal lives. Do you like it when singers divulge details of their good and bad times. Do you think personal stories add to a song? In what way?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Mary J. Blige does herself--and her girlfriends--proud on this stunning CD. The dramatic beginning--a moody synthesized instrumental leading into the artist's answering machine greeting--might be over the top, as are the rapped accolades by P. Diddy and Jay-Z. But once Mary herself enters the scene, the production and arrangements are interesting, tasteful, and beautifully executed.
Especially notable is the texture of the background vocals, and the way they complement and enhance Ms. Blige's well-delivered leads. Arranging BVs is WAY harder than it looks, and is done nearly perfectly throughout the CD.
The songs are interesting throughout, though occasionally cringe-worthy. The socially conscious "Finally Made It (Interlude)" delivers a strong "If I could do it, so can you" message. Then "Ooh!" follows, with "I do what you want if you don't hurt me--I'll cook and clean, I'll make you happy." We could all live without more of this particular message in music.
Over all, Mary J. Blige covers a range of emotions about life, love, pride, and prejudice. "Love & Life" is right!
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSuggestive sexuality --lots!-- but very little that's explicit. |
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LanguageA "s--t" and "N" word here and there, but not all that often. |
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Social BehaviorSome powerful self-image-boosting material juxtaposed with lyrics like "I'll do what you want if you don't hurt me" (in "Ooh!") make the overall message confusing. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThere's "a fifth by my side" in "Don't Go." Love as an addiction is a whole other story...... |
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