Alright, Still

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Brit singer's sharp tongue brings honesty and fun.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lily Allen's undeniable charm lies in her biting wit, which also produces some pretty ribald lyrics. But the four-letter words are considerably less noticeable than they would be on, say, a gangster rap album, because Allen's lilting voice breezes right through the vulgarities. The four-letter words (f--k, s--t, c--t, and whore) only pop up a few times, however, and what's left is a sweet, breezy album that's loads of fun. Allen keeps its simple and personal, and because of that, girls of any age, and even their male counterparts, can relate to her songs.

  • Overall good messages pull through (don't waste your life smoking pot, having self-respect), but there are a few iffy ones, too: A not-so-PC line rejecting someone's pick-up lines ("I've got herpes, err, no I've got syphilis/AIDS, AIDS, I've got AIDS!") and sleeping with your boyfriend's friends ("Let's see how you feel in a couple of weeks/When I work my way through your mates").
  • Not applicable.
  • A couple of generic references to having sex ("I could see it in your face when you give it to me gently") and a few to a former partner's "shortcomings."
  • Occasional four letter words (f--k, s--t, c--t) and one mention of "whore" and the British version of whore, "slapper."
  • Not applicable.
  • A few references to smoking pot ("My little brother's in his bedroom smoking weed/I tell him he should get up cos it's nearly half past three/He can't be bothered cos he's high on THC") and drinking ("Another drink and I'm ready for action"). There's also one mention of "doing a line."

What's the story?

Within the first 15 seconds of her debut album, ALRIGHT, STILL, Lily Allen will make you smile and do a double-take in a "did she just say that?" way. Over a ska-flavored beat and using a sweet, almost shy delivery, Allen starts the opening track, "Smile," with "When you first left me/I was wanting more but you were f--kin' that girl next door, what'd you do that for?" The line and the song offer the perfect window into Allen's fresh talent. The girl's got a mouth on her but the four-letter words are relatively scarce, and this is one of the wittiest albums to come out in recent memory. Allen loves throwing honest verbal jabs, whether it's at past loves, her hometown of London, or even her grandmother, whose coupon-cutting and bingo-playing ways get the treatment on "Nan, You're a Window Shopper," the disc's best song.


Is it any good?

 

The songs on Alright, Still stick to what Allen knows, whether it's deflecting the advances of the opposite sex in "Knock 'Em Out" or pointing out her former partner's "shortcomings" in the bluntly titled "Not Big." Allen's singing style--it never seems like she's trying too hard--perfectly matches the horn-soaked, breezy songs. But her biting wit is what stands out most, bolstered by the fact that she clearly doesn't take herself too seriously. She's a bit rough around the edges at times, but the 21-year-old Allen has made a delightful pop album that is easily relatable and loads of fun.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about Allen's honesty about being hurt by a breakup and how it's okay to admit vulnerability in those situations. Families can also discuss the ability to use humor in a variety of ways to get your point across.


This review was written by Jim Welte
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Not so much for the kids...
As an adult, I loved this CD, however, I don't think I would give it to a child to listen to. Teens and up.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
i love this album!
some of her songs make me laugh like knock 'em out. I think this is a good album and you should buy it.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Great album! May become a classic!
Lily Allen has a great voice and very tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The songs make you laugh (Smile, Knock 'em Out, Nan You're A Window Shopper) while at least one (Littlest Things) makes you cry, and other songs show that Lily is not afraid to turn down a boyfriend for whatever reason (Not Big, Smile, Shame For You) and that not all girls are friendly (Friday Night, Friend Of Mine). There are probably around nine or ten f-bombs, one use of the British profanity c-nt (censored), a few s-bombs (including s#!t and s#!te), and one use each of a**e, hell, tw@t, slapper, and crack whore. Sometimes the songs talk about drug use (but it's always portrayed negatively) and alcohol. "Not Big" talks about a boyfriend that a girl turns down because they didn't have good, well, you know, and she uses the word c-m in that song. Even though there's quite a bit of cursing and mature themes, Lily Allen tells it like it is, and you can barely hear the curse words! Highly recommended for 12+.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Parents.... 17+? Are you SERIOUS?
Wow, there's one mention of F**k. and a couple S**Ts too. BIG deal. not. really, really good album. parents, 17+ is a huge overstatement. In my opinion, it is just fine for most girls 11 or 12+. I'm 14 and there's nothing wrong with it for me, and my sis is 11 and she loves it too! Please note: Just because there is swearing or adult material in songs does NOT mean your kid will start doing the things suggested, or saying the things suggested. Trust me! :)

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Teen, 15 years old
October 1, 2009
 
Great music by Lily Allen. Content is innapropriate for younger ones, but the clean versions will have them singing along. The messages aren't at all nice, and each song has a dark theme. What amuses me is how she can change a nice happy song into a piece revolving around sex, drugs, and other non kid friendly subjects. Overall, an excellent album.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
very good
This is a great album for a new artist good songs she swears in a few all of the songs are very catchy and it's just a good album.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
addicting
the songs are really addicting you want to listen to them over and over again. anyway lily allen has a really good voice. There are a few curses (for example she says 'but you were f***ing that girl next door) but to tell you the truth other than that there arent really that many bad curses. i really really like this cd, and I think anyone my age or older would like it too :)

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Lily is awesome! I LOVE THIS CD!
I love the way that Lily mixes her witty lyrics with a sing-song-y light hearted tune, even then, you get the message loud and clear.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I loved every song!
It is rare that an album comes along that is catchy enough to keep my attention through the entire set. However, it's not all fun and games; if you get this for your kid, they may ask "Mommy, what is THC?" Besides that, the album is great fun and easy to sing along to after a few listens.

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Teen, 15 years old
July 29, 2009
 
Clean Versions Are Fine For 13+
I am 13 and I listen to Lily Allen songs but the only way my mom lets me listen is if they are the Clean version. I agree with Common Sense, 16+ if they listen to the explicit version but most songs like Littlest Things (which is perfectly clean), Smile, and The Fear are fine. I find Alfie very catchy but it mentions drugs and smoking a lot so that one is a bit iffy. But otherwise, if you listen to the clean versions of her songs it's fine for 13+!!

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This review was written by Jim Welte
Artist:Lily Allen
Release date:January 30, 2007
Label:Capitol
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review was written by Jim Welte
 

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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.
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