First Impressions of Earth

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Hip indie rock for older teens only.
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

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this CD isn't geared toward kids. There's enough profanity to warrant a Parental Advisory sticker. The liner notes include a painting of a topless woman and an animal carcass waiting to be butchered. There are some lyrics about using alcohol, including drinking as a way to handle relationship woes.

  • A few obscenities here and there -- enough to warrant the Parental Advisory sticker.
  • Not applicable.
  • Occasional references to alcohol, including drinking as a way to handle relationship woes.

What's the story?

The Strokes are a group of young but world-weary hipsters who still don't understand relationship dynamics any more than the rest of us. On FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF EARTH, they swirl their observations up in a musical mix of garage rock meets early '80s New Wave. The Strokes are a breathing advertisement for sophisticated urban rock & roll. These guys are a little too cynical for being so young and rich. Parents should be aware that teens emulating The Strokes might be trying to grow up before their time.


Is it any good?

 

Though this CD is somewhat sub-par for the band, the music is catchy in a noncommercial way. "You Only Live Once" and "Red Light" are standouts. Teens who are looking for an alternative to pop and hip-hop will find lots to enjoy.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about why indie bands like The Strokes are considered sell-outs for becoming more mainstream. Why do fans punish bands for becoming more well-known? What does "indie" mean these days?


This review was written by Tony Hicks
Parent of 19 year old
April 9, 2008
 
why not listen to it together
I'm now 19 years old, and I bought this when I was 16. This is the sound of a band bidding for some musical maturity after they got all the rock and roll kicks out of the way. Yea, there is a naked woman on it, and some animal about to be butchered. All the adult content references here really aren't anything that you couldn't sit down and discuss with your kid. Put things into perspective for him or her, and you got a really enjoyable record here. These guys are good musicians; my mom would let me play them in the car. That says something :)

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
THIS IS THE MOST KICK A** CD EVER!
Screw your parents! GO out and buy this CD! Till' next time. - Stroke of Death

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Good Listen For Someone Who Wants Something New
This album consists of 1 "f" word and 2 "s" words. It's not that bad for a Parental Advisory.

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Teen, 16 years old
June 23, 2011
 
THE STROKES ARE FLIPING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's Hard to Explain.

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Teen, 13 years old
December 16, 2011
 
Positive messages when you look past the minor swearing
The Strokes have always made great music, but "First Impressions of Earth" really seals the deal for those who might still be skeptical. There is some minor usage of swear words on this album, but it's not extreme and it's used in a tasteful manner, and it is in context. Not only does this album have lots of positive messages, but it represents a time in this particular band's history in which the lead singer (Julian Casablancas) quit drinking, and the message against using drugs and alcohol is clearly represented in this album. Overall, this album represents the fact that, no matter, you should always try to do your best and work through. Even better than that, this albums rocks.

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This review was written by Tony Hicks
Artist:The Strokes
Release date:January 3, 2006
Label:RCA
Genre:Rock
Parental advisory:Yes

This review was written by Tony Hicks
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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