Handpicked by Our Editors

What a Ride
Age 5+
4

What a Ride

Why We Recommend It

Eric Herman's quirky, funny CD encourages kids to chase their dreams. Bonus: Parents like humming along, too.

Read our full review
From Elmo to Eminem you can trust our children's music reviews.

Kids of all ages love music. For our littlest children, music helps build vocabulary and coordination. For our older kids, music expresses passions and angst. But finding kids' music that has messages you feel comfortable with can take some homework on parents' part. Luckily, our reviews give you what you need to know to choose and manage kids' music.

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New Music Reviews

showing: alternative rock
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Raditude by Weezer
Parents Need to Know...

that RADITUDE is a lot like past Weezer albums in the sense that it largely bypasses profanity and adult content in favor of harmless talk about meeting girls and having fun. There's one f-bomb (from guest rapper Lil Wayne) on the song ... read more

Age 13+
Raditude
3
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I Told You I Was Freaky by Flight of the Conchords
Parents Need to Know...

that although this album's humor is good-natured and mainly self-effacing, the language and sexual themes make the songs only appropriate for older audiences. The album covers adult themes like prostitution, the male anatomy, and ... read more

Age 14+
I Told You I Was Freaky
3
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Brand New Eyes by Paramore
Parents Need to Know...

that Paramore's third album is a hard rockin', emotionally raw collection that doesn't have any references to smoking, drinking, sex or bad language. In fact, the lyrics are all surprisingly tame, considering the guitar riffs and rock ... read more

Age 11+
Brand New Eyes
4
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"Know Your Enemy" (CD Single) by Green Day
Parents Need to Know...

that this high-powered, highly political tune rallies against apathy, the media, and war, without resorting to some of the more colorful language of Green Day's past songs. While this song is clean, the upcoming album does have a ... read more

Age 12+
"Know Your Enemy" (CD Single)
4
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21st Century Breakdown by Green Day
Parents Need to Know...

that there's no shortage of four-letter words and violent imagery on this highly anticipated new album by Green Day, but in context, they are used to articulate the band's highly political views of war, the media, and revolution. ... read more

Age 13+
21st Century Breakdown
4
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Scream by Chris Cornell
Parents Need to Know...

that aside from a couple of swear words here and there, the lyrics contain nothing overtly shocking. However, most songs deal with dark themes that reflect Cornell's battle with depression -- pretty dark territory. read more

Age 15+
Scream
2
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When the World Comes Down by All-American Rejects
Parents Need to Know...

that many of the songs on this album are about being in a bad relationship or getting over heartbreak, but the music is mostly upbeat, not melancholy like a lot of alternative music can be. It's OK for teens and older who already know ... read more

Age 13+
When the World Comes Down
4
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Prospekt's March by Coldplay
Parents Need to Know...

that this limited edition album contains some darkly poetic imagery and a couple of death references, but is on the whole kid-safe. read more

Age 14+
Prospekt's March
4
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Day & Age by The Killers
Parents Need to Know...

that this alt-pop group has become one of the hottest bands going, and despite their intimidating name, there's really nothing violent or offensive in the music. The band does tackle some esoteric territory, which might leave listeners ... read more

Age 13+
Day & Age
4
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Hook Me Up by The Veronicas
Parents Need to Know...

that although this Aussie sister act is the opening band for the Jonas Brothers' tour, they aren't quite the squeaky-clean image that is, so far, JoBros. They're edgy and sexy, and the few curse words here and there and obvious sexual ... read more

Age 13+
Hook Me Up
4
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Love Is Dead by Kerli
Parents Need to Know...

that although the title of this album sounds negative, the message of the music is decidedly upbeat and positive. Kerli somehow puts an optimistic spin on her difficult life experiences of growing up under Communist rule and in an abusive ... read more

Age 13+
Love Is Dead
4
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"Second Chance" (CD single) by Shinedown
Parents Need to Know...

that while the story behind this song may be a sensitive one, Shinedown tells the tale using non-offensive lyrics that contain no explicit swearing or adult references. read more

Age 12+
"Second Chance" (CD single)
3
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Oracular Spectacular by MGMT
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is full of metaphorical lyrics and loopy verses, but nothing inappropriate for teens. Several of the songs cover somewhat mature subject matter (references to guns, the pitfalls of extravagant lifestyles, depression), and ... read more

Age 14+
Oracular Spectacular
4
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Dreaming Out Loud by One Republic
Parents Need to Know...

that OneRepublic features heart-wrenching lyrics and vocal performances backed by strong instrumental tracks, providing a perfect musical fix for self-involved teens trying to figure out relationships and how to fit into the world. Kids ... read more

Age 13+
Dreaming Out Loud
4
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Riot! by Paramore
Parents Need to Know...

that although the lead singer of this on-heavy-MTV-rotation band has pink hair and the music sounds hard core, the album itself has mostly puppy-love lyrics. There's one mention of the word "whore" in the song "Misery Business." read more

Age 12+
Riot!
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Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing objectionable here, though the lyrics tend toward the vivid and caustic ("I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone will I still have these 300-mile-per-hour, finger-breaking, no answers makin', battered dirty hands, ... read more

Age 13+
Icky Thump
4
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Because of the Times by Kings of Leon
Parents Need to Know...

that this Southern garage rock band is suffused with a not-so-catchy rock twang that speaks to those who seem to be stuck in warped drama. Major themes are breaking free from small-town doldrums, courageous manifestos that either make or ... read more

Age 13+
Because of the Times
2
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Infinity on High by Fall Out Boy
Parents Need to Know...

that this alt rock album contains some mild sexual references such as "conjugal visits" and "one-night stand." There's also some very soft profanity ("goddamed" and "hell") as well as a couple of references to taking pills and passing out. read more

Age 12+
Infinity on High
4
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Sam's Town by The Killers
Parents Need to Know...

that the lyrical content is mostly harmless, except for the song "Uncle Jonny," which is about someone addicted to cocaine. read more

Age 14+
Sam's Town
2
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Vision Valley by The Vines
Parents Need to Know...

that the CD has frequent strong profanity (one song being titled "F--k Yeah"). There are references to drugs and a line in the opening track "Anysound" that goes: "Kill me now, I'm dead." read more

Age 16+
Vision Valley
2
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For Me, It's You by Train
Parents Need to Know...

that there is no objectionable content in these (mostly) love songs. read more

Age 12+
For Me, It's You
4

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