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Departure
- By Jesse McCartney
- Genre: Pop
Common Sense Media says
Teen idol grows up just a bit.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Jesse McCartney is all-grown up and his songs reflect a new and sexier image. The first single off his third album, "Leavin'" has a sexually-infused video featuring McCartney and a barely-clothed model. Although there is nothing explicit on the album, there are numerous references to love, lust, and sex.
What's the story?
The bleach-blonde teen heartthrob that used to sing about "beautiful souls" is now a 21 year old with a suave look and sound. Gone are the feel-good pop tunes which are now replaced by more sexually-charged R&B and hip-hop tracks. Departure is appropriately named: He's left behind his clean-cut image for a new sound that is a blend of retro funk and soulful pop in the tradition of Justin Timberlake. McCartney hasn't gone too far with the transformation however, and is still safe for mainstream radio.
Is it any good?
It's a difficult task for a singer to switch genres, especially if the original formula was as successful as it was for Jesse McCartney. But he has made the leap from sweet balladeer to soulful singer gracefully. Crooning about romance and relationships, McCartney can play the seducer on tracks like "Leavin'" and "Rock You" or the fool in love like on "Relapse." His urban sound is authentic and his naturally smooth singing ability keeps him from looking like a poser. Only a few tracks like "Not Your Enemy" fall flat, mainly because they hearken back to McCartney's younger overly-sentimental days.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how teen stars make the transition to adulthood. McCartney has toned down his hair color and given himself a smoother look. His musical style has also changed to a more urban sound. Do you think this is a natural progression for him as an artist or a marketing trick by his record label? Why do pop artists feel the need to sell sex more as they come of age and get older? Is this a sign of maturity or immaturity?
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Kid, 9 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Jesse grew up
Some people have said that he needs to go back to beautiful soul days. he was 16!!!! He is now 21. What do you expect. Now I have seen the video and there is some sex. But the cd is not bad. I just recently saw Jesse in concert and he is the same guy. Just a little more machure. I say buy this for anyone over 11. There are some good messages in the cd.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
OH!
I wanted to buy the song Leavin' until my mom told me i couldn't and that it was about sex.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
First word...EEWWW
Discusting video is sick as idk lets just say ew very very not kid appropriate and the video for leavin made me ask myself what ever happened to "all i want is you and your beautiful soul" its giving a bad message to young jesse fan from disney rents' dont want kids listening or watching that sickness of what they call music yuck!!
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Kid, 10 years old
November 3, 2009
AGE
best
love it
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
March 6, 2009
AGE
Leavin' (cd single)
the song leavin' has really good beat.the lyrics didn't really make sense to me.that song should be rated 13+.
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Teen, 13 years old
August 24, 2009
AGE
Not appropriate.
Wow, Jesse McCartney has turned around. He went from Disney singer, to pretty much explicit. He has a song on this album called Into Ya, which is all about sex. He says the word sex in it, and also says, "If you let me put a lil into ya, for so long ive been tryin to get into ya". The only songs i reccomend for your youngsters are Leavin', It's Over, and How Do You Sleep?.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
leavin'
ive only listened to the song leavin' on othere and well i love it. its a story of my life and this one guy that likes me and i like him and then he has to leave. along with my big bro. Listen to it.
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Teen, 16 years old
January 6, 2009
AGE
It's just his first R&B album
I know some people are pretty disgusted and some are really excited with his accent to urban pop, I lie somewhere between the two.
I find the lyrics of his songs quite repetitive and somewhat inappropriate but it's a good start for a teen pop artist. The tunes and beats are catchy - that's what it makes the songs quite addictive. What's more, his songs are a combination of Pop, HipHop, R&B and Contemporary!
Looking forward to a more refined R&B album.
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| Artist: | Jesse McCartney |
| Release date: | May 15, 2008 |
| Label: | Hollywood Records |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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