 | 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. |
Barenaked Ladies Are Men
- By Barenaked Ladies
- Genre: Pop
Common Sense Media says
Once-whimsical pop rock band digs a little deeper.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this album is much less silly than the song's on the band's previous CD ("Fun and Games" takes a jab at the American government and the present-day politics), but the Barenaked Ladies still manage to keep their wit and harmonic vocals intact. There's nary a swear word or anything that would make this album inappropriate for kids. One note: If you don't have iTunes on your computer, you'll have to download a fairly complex recording program called UmixIt just to listen to the CD. If you're tech-savvy, the program has a lot of cool effects. If not, you may not be able to even figure out how to play the songs.
What's the story?
BARENAKED LADIES ARE MEN is the 11th album released by these offbeat, yet oft-introspective Canadian boys. With songs about the war and the pressures of creating good music, this album may be a little less lighthearted than their others. The guys take turns singing both lead and back-up vocals, which always give Barenaked Ladies some variety in their sound. "Down to Earth" is a quippy little tune about a woman who thinks her actions are as honest as her convictions: "What's more ironic than a hippie in Versace?/It's all peace and love and limousines/You've got the right message but the wrong intentions."
Is it any good?
The standout song with a message on Barenaked Ladies Are Men is "Fun and Games." Parents can talk to their kids about the frank commentary on American politics and world issues such as war and the environment. The band is very clear about their beliefs: "It was a gag/It was all for a laugh/We knew your sons and daughters would be blown in half/We were just pulling legs." Regardless of one's political leanings, these lyrics are a great conversation starter.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the lyrics in "Fun and Games." Why that title when the lyrics say things like "they were shocked and they were awed and they were blown in half"? What are they saying about the world? Is it effective to try to get your message out in a song? If you could write a song that spoke to your values, what would it say?
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| Artist: | Barenaked Ladies |
| Release date: | February 6, 2007 |
| Label: | Desperation Records |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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