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Free to Stay (by Smoosh, Indie Rock)

common sense media says

Indie sisters rock out with innocuous tunes.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's no questionable content on this CD, the sophomore outing by two Seattle sisters who, well, aren't even sophomores yet in real life. Messages include being yourself, appreciating your family, and being a good role model.

Positive messages: Good role models for getting along with siblings and being your own unique creative self.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Free to Stay

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Smoosh's music sounds different from most of the other stuff you hear on the radio. Is it because they have positioned themselves squarely in the "indie music" category, because they are very young songwriters, or both? Do you think you could write and perform songs as well as Asya and Chloe do? Do you think it's more important to make music that fits some predefined rules, or to be yourself?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The qualities that make Smoosh appealing (music really and truly created by tweens; minimalist instrumentation accomplished without a lot of apparent adult supervision; innocuous and highly repetitive lyrics) are the same ones that make this young Seattle-based duo vaguely annoying as well. Rambling, stream-of-consciousness vocals on FREE TO STAY address youthful concerns with simplistic rhymes ("I would go every time you say/never saying it's OK/No matter what you say to me/never saying it's alright/No matter what you say to me now/I'm never trying again") and musicianship that evokes kids let loose in a basement rec room with some pretty fancy toys at their disposal.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Although the girls have obvious talent, the vocals often veer off into tuneless warbling and the simple drum-keyboard mix gets a bit tedious by the end. The strongest moments are those that make us wonder how many Joni Mitchell and Blondie albums are lying around Asya and Chloe's parents' house. Most important: These young (12 and 14) sisters are having fun expressing their own creative selves.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: June 6, 2006
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Indie Rock
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines