Get Away from Me

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A little unfocused but very original.
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

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that a couple of well-used four-letter words pop up occasionally here, and earned this CD its Parental Advisory sticker. The edited version is hard to find; the explicit one is actually pretty tame compared to most stickered albums.


What's the story?

Part torch singer, part social commentator, part queen of her own exotic universe, Nellie McKay is a true original. GET AWAY FROM ME is an ambitious double CD that defies categorizing and quickly gets under your skin. Sophisticated, torchy arrangements and two very familiar four-letter words make this CD most appropriate for older teens, but the Parental Advisory sticker seems unfair when compared to the hard-edged explicitness of most Parental Advisory albums. This really is one instance in which the words in question make some poetic sense in the context of the songs; they don't feel gratuitous at all.


Is it any good?

 

The songwriting is the real star on Get Away From Me, along with Ms. McKay's intimate cocktail-hour delivery. The double-CD is a bit too long and maybe a bit unfocused, but McKay (at age 19) clearly has a bright future ahead. Ironic, torchy, witty, and edgy in turn, her songs and performances reveal a deep and unique talent. Keep your eye on this one -- she's likely to be around for a while.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how Nellie McKay isn't afraid to be herself, a welcome change in music these days. Why do so many other artists tend to copy each other's styles, sounds, and looks?


This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Kid, 13 years old
October 18, 2011
 
One of a kind vocalpop-Older teens and adults.
Quality: 5 stars earned defiently! (however it may only appeal to adults), Nellie McKay's mixed debut is awesome-I wish I could rewind back to 2005 and award this album for being so awesome! Check out some of her songs on YouTube now! Iffy material: Violence: Many references to violent acts (very few are graphic), but nowhere near constant (i.e. "Have a pill or suicide", "If you don't I'll slit your throat", etc.) Also, "Ding Dong" frequently mentions a cat's death (but I don't know if it really happened.) Language: Profanity earned this album a PA, but it is not very much, and only appears in 5 of the 18 songs. Sexual content: "It's a Pose" contains a lot of suggestive lyrics, but nothing graphic. Consumerism: Nellie's music sometimes shows up in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, P.S. I Love you, etc. Substances: A few references to drinking, but no irresponsible behaviors Role Models: All I know is that the back cover says that Nellie is a member of an animal-protection foundation. I know nothing else.

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This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Nellie McKay
Release date:February 10, 2004
Label:Sony Music
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

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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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