 | 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. |
Back to Black
- By Amy Winehouse
- Genre: Soul
Common Sense Media says
Soul-drenched jazz and funk from Brit boozer.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Amy Winehouse is one of the most gifted soul singers to come along in years, with a fantastic voice and loads of songwriting talent. But that gift lives within a person who, if the songs are indeed autobiographical as she claims, loves to abuse alcohol, weed, and men. The lyrics are deceptively vulgar at times, but that strike against her isn't enough to outweigh the fact that this is a phenomenal album of classic soul music.
What's the story?
Listeners of BACK TO BLACK may at first think they've come across some re-released oldies from the Motown canon, mixed in with a few hip-hop influenced songs. Amy Winehouse's voice ranges from sweet to husky, and the production from Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson is wonderfully retro -- full of horn stabs, jazz guitar riffs, piano arpeggios, and classic doo-wop harmonies. Additional listens unveil a remarkably layered personality and songwriting palate. Winehouse shows off a disarmingly tart tongue, brutally dishing out abuse to the other sex, as on "Me & Mr. Jones," which employs the rarely used profanity, "F--kery." She recounts her adulterous transgressions with self-deprecating wit on "You Know I'm No Good," which features a cameo rap verse by Ghostface Killah.
Is it any good?
Like many great albums -- and this is the best soul record to come out since 1998's Miseducation of Lauryn Hill -- Amy Winehouse's Back to Black gets better with each play. As you dig deeper into the songs, you'll see a woman who is deep, self-aware, and even devoted at times. This CD has it all: soul-drenched jazz and funk music, a dynamic voice, and well-written songs. It couldn't come any more highly recommended.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Winehouse's various views on love, from scorned and adulterous to vigorously loyal. But most of all, Winehouse offers a nearly transparent view into the psyche of someone who imbibes in more than her fair share of alcohol and pot. These songs show a woman perfectly aware of her vices but unwilling to change. There's a lifetime's worth of conversations in that subject matter: Is experimentation with alcohol and pot at a certain age okay? What does drinking responsibly mean? How do you know when it's a problem?
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AGE
Great Album!
Its a great album for kids thirteen and up! She has a great voice!
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AGE
Oldtown jazz singer's explict music won't appeal to many kids
Parents should know that this CD is very explict. In one song, Amy Winehouse declares her love for a drug over all else. And in the song "Rehab", Winehouse talks about how she refused to get help for her addiction. This could send a very questionable message to teens. A friend told me that this was a good CD, so I bought it, put it in the stereo, and found that I couldn't listen through one song without pressing the pause button. Winehouse sounds like she is whining or groaning in most of the songs, although the jazz music in the background is okay. Mature teens who like jazz will enjoy this, but most will find themselves returning it to the store an hour after they purchased it.
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AGE
Amazing
I'm so glad I bought this album. Amy Winehouse is an awesome singer and song writer. I love how creative her style of music is, it's like '50's soul/jazz which is awesome because it's hard to find music like that now. I usually don't like that kind of music but these songs are really catchy and (my way of describing music) satisfying. Her voice is so cool and strong and it doesn't look like it is her voice but still it suits her. BUY THIS CD!!!
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AGE
I adore her.
I adore this album. It is a little racy and it borderlines glorification of drugs and alcohol, but critically thinking teens will listen to her music with a thoughtful ear, and make positive conclusions about the use of drugs and alcohol. Her honesty is very refreshing and serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It's bluesy and full of soul. She is a wonderful artist, and an amazing lyricst. Her use of words would be inspiring to any aspiring writers and musicians.
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AGE
LOVE Amy, but she's pretty brash.
This is absolutely, without a doubt, the best soul album to come out in quite some time. The lyrics can be quite vulgar, however. If your kid is into soul then I would say, let them listen to it but warn them about the lyrics. I've seen worse lyrics, the problems with them are overstated, but the lyrics are still pretty inappropriate. You can also talk to your kids about how ironic "Rehab" is in retrospect.
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AGE
Great album, great singer, but some content... 12+
I loove Amy Winehouse she is an amazing soul/R&B singer and although she has a great voice, some of her troubled personality shines through into her music.
For instance, there is a few uses of sh_t and f__k, some suggestive references to sex, and also some drugs, as she has come out as a drug addict. Parents may wish to discuss with their child about drugs and sexual issues, as well as the importance of not letting yourself take drugs.
Some of the sexual stuff will go over their heads, but overall if they are mature and are into R &B, go for it!! :) I highly reccomend it for 12+
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AGE
Bad role model
A majority of her songs talk about doing drugs or relationship problems.
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AGE
Most amazing voice EVER
Amy Winehouse has a great voice but her music isn't as clean. She uses the words f**k, s**t, d**k, c**t, and even "F**kery". Also her song Rehab talks about her not wanting to go to, yes, rehab. This album is raunchy. However, it's not Pretty Ricky's Late Nite Special. I really like Amy Winehouse's voice above everything.
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| Artist: | Amy Winehouse |
| Release date: | March 13, 2007 |
| Label: | Universal Republic |
| Genre: | Soul |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
| Edited version available: | Yes |
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