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Demo (by Demi Lovato, Pop)

common sense media says

Disappointing debut album from rising Disney star.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know the name Demi Lovato, because she's being touted by many as the next big Disney superstar to follow in Miley Cyrus' tween footsteps. Her music has an edgier sound than Cyrus and her lyrics are heavier than the Hannah Montana-style party pop in some songs; several deal with relationship dysfunction, break-ups, and fights. These are the first songs off Lovato's upcoming album that were leaked on YouTube Check back in August for our full review.

Positive messages: At times, relationships are treated in an adult fashion, discussing arguments, relationship strife, and anguish. This may give adolescents the wrong perspective of how teen relationships should work. "Spitting fire back and forth now/times have changed in just a few months/Neighbors complaining from the fights...Why can't I get through the night without another fight?"
Violence: Most of the songs are innocent, but some of the lyrics are slightly aggressive and discuss fighting and anger in relationships. "Trash" ("Was she the reason you stomped on my heart/and moved on so quickly/You can call it pure torture/watching your every move with her/Oh, just the thought of it/knowing what goes on between you/makes me sick").
Sex: Lovato sings a lot about kissing, hand-holding, and hugging, but never goes any further than that.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Lovato is being marketed as Disney's next big teen star. Her image and music are immersed in the Disney Corporation, with ties to the Jonas Brothers, Disney TV, and concert tours.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Demo

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how Disney can help someone become a star. Lovato acted on a Disney Channel series and is starring with the uber-popular Jonas Brothers in the Disney Channel movie Camp Rock. Now she has an album set to come out in the summer. Do you think Disney has a marketing plan to slowly introduce a performer to the public? Are young audiences more receptive to a musical artist that they know from TV? Several of Lovato's songs were "leaked" onto YouTube and Lovato and her friend regularly post home videos on the site. How has YouTube become influential in promoting an artist?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The Disney tween music juggernaut continues with the debut of Demi Lovato's album, DEMO. With production help from the Jonas Brothers, the pop album is slated to hit young girls' iPods in August (check back then for a full album review). For now, samples of the album are available on YouTube. Lovato's career began as a preschool favorite on Barney and Friends and has grown up to star in several Disney Channel projects. The 16 year old has been compared to Miley Cyrus and has many fan sites already online.

Based on the sampling of tracks available on YouTube, Lovato's album doesn't live up to much of the hype. The tracks currently available sound like karaoke at a slumber party, with nasally singing and a lot of overly-dramatic breathy vocals. This is most pronounced on the emotionally-charged songs, such as "Stronger" and "Open" -- Lovato would fare much better if she stuck to up-tempo rock-pop dance party songs.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The songwriting, which has been credited to Lovato (although not confirmed), is awkward at best. "The only noises in my head are consumed of your voice/from all the pain and hatred/how long can you kick somebody down before a foot breaks?" Some lyrics are down-right silly, such as this line from "Shadow" ("I noticed something/it followed me along the way…for now we'll call it my shadow and it said will you replace it so you'll be with me everywhere I go"). Lovato's vocals are energetic and fun on a few tracks, like "That's How You Know" and "Mirror," but when she tries to tackle more mature emotion her inexperience shows. Hopefully the full album will show off her entertaining personality, down-to-earth charm, and better lyrics and vocals.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 28, 2008
Label: Hollywood Records
Genre: Pop
This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

# 1 fans
teen, 17 years old
 
read !!!!!!!!!!
KIDS AND TEENS ARE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD. SOME JUST CHOOSE NOT TO . I LOVE DEMI LOVATO AND RBD :}
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
wondergirl_is_back
teen, 17 years old
 
I love it!
Demi is new and very talented! She has a great voice and I think the people who work at common sence are wrong about her! I have her songs on my MP3 Rocket and love them! I can't wate to see her in Camp Rock and then agian on tour with the Jonas Brothers this summer!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (2)
lussinka.11
teen, 16 years old
13
 
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Sunshine_Days
teen, 16 years old
 
And We Thought Miley Cyrus Was Disney's Next Big Star...
When the hit TV show "Hannah Montana" came out in Febuary, 2006, we all assumed that Miley Cyrus would be the "Disney Channel Queen" forever. Not for long. Demi Lovato made her entrance with Disney with a BOOM. Demi starred in a Disney Channel mini series "As The Bell Rings", something played in the 5 minutes that use to be hogged up by commertials, they had a mini-show after the show. Demi played Charlotte, a beautiful girl confused about if one of her guy friends actually liked her or not. Demi proved she had what it takes to make it in Hollywood. If that was not enough, she and Selena Gomez (another talented Disney star who stars in the hit series "Wizards of Waverly Place" were both on Barney when they were younger. The two have been best friends ever since. She's jumping from Barney, a Disney mini-series, and will star with Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers in Disney's new movie, Camp Rock. Camp Rock might even outsell High School Musical. Hey, at least Camp Rock producer hired actually talented people. May Disney actually be getting the clue that people maybe want to hear ACTUALLY talented people, not completely editted and backround-drowned pop star wanna-be's? How would that be to jump from Barney, a little Disney mini series, to taking the stage with 7 platnum artists (who may I mention are extremely hot!) I think that CommenSense, as much as I appreciate them, were a bit too harsh on young Demi's CD. I personally found VERY little wrong with Demi's CD, and wish her the best of luck!
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sara4ever95
teen, 16 years old
7
 
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love78peace
teen, 15 years old
11
 
I dont like HER but the songs? eh
The songs are ok, but LOVATO? Dont get me started.
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Dudett
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Not an average Disney thing, love it
Love it, a little bit dark [I used a little] But I love it, she's the best =]
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