Handpicked by Our Editors

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)
Age 3+
4

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

Why We Recommend It

Feel like a broken record about clean hands? This cute ditty may make an impression and send kids to the sink.

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: indie rock
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Big Bad World by Plain White T's
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is from the band behind the popular 2007 hit single "Hey There Delilah." Most of the songs are about various mistakes made in relationships, and although some of the allusions to sex are stronger here than in their ... read more

Age 12+
Big Bad World
2
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Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket
Parents Need to Know...

that despite the album's name, this collection of songs isn't really "evil," but is actually both eclectic and poetic – and fine for young teens (although the lack of simple narrative to follow may make younger listeners tune out ... read more

Age 13+
Evil Urges
4
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"Shake It" (CD single) by Metro Station
Parents Need to Know...

that although two of the band members have famous Hannah Montana siblings (Trace is Miley Cyrus' half brother and Mason is Mitchel's brother) this hit single doesn't sound very Disney. The lyrics aren't particularly graphic, but the ... read more

Age 13+
"Shake It" (CD single)
4
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Raise the Dead by Phantom Planet
Parents Need to Know...

that this band first found mainstream success via the popular TV show The O.C. where its catchy tune "California" is the theme song. Compared to previous releases, this album is a lot less light pop and much deeper, darker fare. And while ... read more

Age 15+
Raise the Dead
3
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We Started Nothing by The Ting Tings
Parents Need to Know...

that this band is the latest to be thrown into the spotlight by having their single "Shut Up and Let Me Go" chosen for an iPod commercial. There's nothing to worry about as far as the lyrics and content. read more

Age 12+
We Started Nothing
4
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Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Parents Need to Know...

that this band is known for their melancholy tunes and ballads, but the lyrics are fine for teens; just a lot of pessimism and disenchantment with life and love. There is one song about stalking ("I will possess your heart") dealing with ... read more

Age 14+
Narrow Stairs
4
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`Violet Hill` (CD single) by Coldplay
Parents Need to Know...

that this first single from Coldplay's upcoming CD Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is fine for kids -- and teens in particular will appreciate the poetic language about the state of the world. Kids were able to download it free ... read more

Age 13+
`Violet Hill` (CD single)
4
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Flight of the Conchords by Flight of the Conchords
Parents Need to Know...

that there's some sexy and violent language on this CD from the comedic HBO duo, but as obvious parody; any and all edginess is softened with goofball humor. "Mutha 'Uckas" and "Think About It, Think About It" are two examples of songs ... read more

Age 13+
Flight of the Conchords
4
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`Anywhere I Lay My Head` (CD single) by Scarlett Johansson
Parents Need to Know...

that the title single from the upcoming cover album of Tom Waits' songs is a bit sober sounding, but it doesn't contain any objectionable content. The updated techno-ish beat will probably appeal more to kids than the original version of ... read more

Age 13+
`Anywhere I Lay My Head` (CD single)
3
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Pretty. Odd. by Panic at the Disco
Parents Need to Know...

this second album from Panic at the Disco is a lot less intense than their first effort and has significantly less drama, violent imagery, or sexual references. While it's just as theatrically ambitious and self-important as their debut, ... read more

Age 13+
Pretty. Odd.
3
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Yael Naim by Yael Naim
Parents Need to Know...

that this album features the popular "New Soul" single made famous by Apple's debut commercial for their MacBook Air laptop. Songs are fine lyric-wise and are sung in English, Hebrew, and French. read more

Age 10+
Yael Naim
4
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Flock by Bell x 1
Parents Need to Know...

that Bell X1 comes across as sweetly and emotionally revealing, while delighting in the occasional "arse" and "s--t" exclamation -- as well as a cynical take on Christianity. Many families will find the brilliant production and ... read more

Age 14+
Flock
4
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Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Parents Need to Know...

that the CD from a band that's getting all kinds of buzz includes several instances of "f--k" and "s--t," and a bit of product placement. Otherwise, the group's sound is clean, fresh, and world-music-influenced inclusive. read more

Age 12+
Vampire Weekend
4
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Matinee by Jack Penate
Parents Need to Know...

that this ska-soul-pop artist has been in Teen Vogue, was cited in Rolling Stone as a "Breaking Artist" to look for, and he has played the as supporting act for the notorious Amy Winehouse. But there's nothing to worry about: Jack ... read more

Age 10+
Matinee
4
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Some People Have Real Problems by Sia
Parents Need to Know...

that this album from the lead singer of indie favorite Zero 7 is squeaky clean. There is a song titled "The Girl You Lost to Cocaine," but it never refers to the drug and is more about escaping someone who is a negative influence. The ... read more

Age 12+
Some People Have Real Problems
4
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Sawdust by The Killers
Parents Need to Know...

that while there are references to sex, violence, and drugs on this popular band's CD, they're subtle. The lyrics are very poetic, and most of the intense or iffy stuff will go over kids' heads. That said, younger kids might get ... read more

Age 14+
Sawdust
3
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In Rainbows by Radiohead
Parents Need to Know...

that although the music and vocals on this CD are haunting and sound depressing, the lyrics really aren't. Most of the songs are obscure, but don't talk about anything that's not safe for teens. "Videotape," however, is the one ... read more

Age 14+
In Rainbows
4
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The Reminder by Feist
Parents Need to Know...

that kids may want this CD after hearing the popular single "1234" that was featured in an iPod commercial. The album is a masterful creation in poetry and musicianship that deals in regret, the past, dreams, and love. It touches on ... read more

Age 12+
The Reminder
5
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Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is a treasure chest of emotions and worldly perspective. The words are brutally honest and sometimes depressing ("A vial of hope and a vial of pain/In the light they both looked the same" and "I'm standing on a stage/Of ... read more

Age 13+
Neon Bible
4
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Weekend in the City by Bloc Party
Parents Need to Know...

that this album offers layers over a foundation of some angsty lyrics with more depth than most of today's indie rock CDs do. The songs deal with the intricacies and convoluted feelings of young adulthood in an urban jungle -- from ... read more

Age 14+
Weekend in the City
4
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Some Loud Thunder by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Parents Need to Know...

that the songs on this album are unusual and dense in this overdubbed production. The band never presents us with violently explicit or crude lyrics, but it makes for a strange, abstract-beyond-belief trip in sound nonetheless. There are ... read more

Age 14+
Some Loud Thunder
2

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