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Guilty Pleasures (by Ashley Tisdale, Pop)

common sense media says

HSM star grows up with more mature second CD.

parents & educators say
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue
See all 17 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is not the sweet little Ashley Tisdale we met in the first High School Musical movie: her latest record edges one step closer to full-blown adulthood with several tunes that allude to intimate sexual situations and adult relationship themes. 

Positive messages: Several songs talk about throwing responsibility to the wind in favor of losing yourself in the guy you like.
Positive role models: Tisdale clearly tries to distance herself from the super wholesome image she's known for by making not-so-subtle references to sexual situations.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some indirect mentions of sexual situations in songs like "Hair:" "I like what you do to my hair / Toss it and tease it / Run your fingers through it / Love how you do it … / Do it 'til I can't get enough."  
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 Guilty Pleasures

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Why might young adults like Ashley feel that they need to talk about sex to prove that they're mature?
  • What other things besides romantic relationships and sexual encounters are the mark of a truly mature person?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Ashley Tisdale is the latest High School Musical star to assert her adulthood, using her new album, GUILTY PLEASURES, to get her message across. The album marks a distinct departure from her first record, Headstrong, with Tisdale demonstrating a new, more serious image (changing her trademark blond hair to brown) and drawing lyrically closer to the line that separates music for kids from adults. Though she doesn't go so far as to give graphic descriptions of her sexual exploits, Tisdale makes plenty of suggestive references to hooking up. Fortunately, other songs have more positive, redeeming messages, such as "Me Without You," in which Tisdale sings about accepting people for who they are: "With my imperfections, you think I'm perfect / When it's not easy, you make it worth it."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With this record, Tisdale's aim may have been to distance herself from the tween-musician pack, but where the music itself is concerned, she largely fails to do so. These are the kinds of rote, unimaginative songs that blend into each other, making it difficult to remember exactly which one you're listening to at the time. And compared to contemporaries like Demi Lovato, Tisdale clearly lacks the vocal chops to belt out a powerful performance.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: July 28, 2009
Label: Warner Brothers
Genre: Pop
This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

shmulik98
teen, 13 years old
11
 
THANK GOD!
I AM SO FREAKIN' HAPPY SHE LEFT DISNEY!! I LUV HER NEW SONGS!
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Yasas10
teen, 15 years old
11
 
Love This!
One of the best Disney Channel 'breakout' albums yet. The tracks are addictive and amazing.
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Salimullah
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Just Awesome!!!
It's the best album by a disney star ever!! The songs have a meaning!! The music is so catchy!! It's just epic!!
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DarkMidnight
teen, 15 years old
12
 
About time she stopped singing cheesy junk (no offence)
Amazing CD, I love the songs, and "How do you Love someone" is my favorite. These songs have actual meanings, not some mindless teenage crud. Sure some of it is... well, kids won't notice. Just skip the dirty songs (there aren't that many) and you'll be all set.
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chartergirl
adult
13
 
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chris kazanko
kid, 12 years old
10
 
kjhgfdsa
um.yes. i like it.well, i'm 10.aaand i know sex! right youaou.
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PrettyGirl08
kid, 10 years old
11
 
LOV IT BUT TO MUCH SEX
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queenofrandom01
teen, 15 years old
11
 
tweens+teens
this is a great album, despite some sexual references in a couple songs, its great for people ages 11+. ages 11+ will understand the CD better than younger kids
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TeamEdward
kid, 12 years old
10
 
OMG! The sexual content is barely there and most kids won't even notice it. So what if a guy is playing with her hair? It's not explict. It's not too sexy. The only thing I would worry about is Ashley TRYING to be too adult. She really wants to break free from Disney and she needs to realize that it will take time. She's still a Disney star no matter what, unless she gets covered up in a sheet and poses for Vanity Fair...sound familiar?
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
14
 
ive always loved ashley and i still do.shes awesome
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Zarah
teen, 15 years old
11
 
Awesome!
I think this is a great cd and sure there are a few sexual references but none that kids will really notice. Just skip the song "Hot Mess" and your good to go :)
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SilverSnake
teen, 15 years old
12
 
My Favorites' "How do you love someone"
I kind of like it, the songs are catchy and some can relate to a situation. Like "How do you love someone" is really relatible. Some songs are horrible, some are awesome. And at least she waited till she was older to sing songs like this and blow it all up as a teenager.
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lilly117
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Ashley Sure Grew Up
Overall, the CD is a wonder. However, some things you might want to look out for is the sexual references in the song "Hot Mess," and the hinted reference in the song "Hair." Ages eleven and up will enjoy this CD, and probably will understand any mild content on this CD.
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cheer15
teen, 16 years old
9
 
i love this album but there is some stuff that little kids shouldn't hear.
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Belac77
teen, 15 years old
10
 
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Kakarot
parent of 19 year old
14
 
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BramfieldMum
parent of 7 and 9 year old
8
 
Catchy tunes, but mature content
I bought this for my daughters who are 5 1/2 & 7 1/2 and for the most part the CD is fine and the girls love the songs, even though I don't think they understand much of it. There is one song where she sings about a "friend with benefits" and "you wake up in your bra & your make-up" and I think I'll skip over that song in the future. It reminded me that I need to preview their music before just letting them listen to the CD. I may just remove that one from their play list or burn them a CD with the songs that are ok and leave the others off the CD.
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