| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this debut album is a harmless look at the experience of first love and the angst that sometimes comes with getting hurt. Younger teens in the throes of crushes and loves will appreciate -- if not relate -- to the whiny, self-absorbed tone.
Solid, guitar-fueled arrangements, expressive vocals, clever harmonies, and appealing musical hooks make ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, the debut album of the group of the same name (actually a re-release of a previous indie-label offering) an attractive package. Filled with dramatic soul-searching and lovelorn angst, the 11 songs on this album also manage to convey a cheerful aura of band-guy togetherness that will speak to younger teens in the throes of crushes and first loves.
Whiny self-absorption has rarely been this charming, and it's comforting to hear that guys hurt too. In the case of The All-American Rejects, the tried-and-true rock & roll combination of loud guitar and heartbreak works just fine. Maybe not the most original stuff, either musically or lyrically, but it's well performed and extremely likable.
Families can talk about dealing with your first love. Who was your first love? What did it feel like to love someone that way? Can you prevent getting hurt? If so, how? If not, how come and what can you learn from loving and losing?
| Artist: | All-American Rejects |
| Release date: | February 4, 2003 |
| Label: | Dreamworks |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | No |