If Only You Were Lonely

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Dramatic teens may enjoy, but not for everyone.
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

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that these songs are filled with depressed-teenager themes and are heavy on the death imagery.

  • These guys are pretty depressed and a little obsessed with death. They do provide a good example to teens, though, by writing out their dark feelings.
  • Some death imagery, overly romanticized.
  • Some sexual innuendo.

What's the story?

Despite occasionally imaginative songwriting and occasionally clever musical arrangements, Hawthorne Heights' second CD, IF ONLY YOU WERE LONELY, sounds like a retread -- more self-conscious teen angst, more self-conscious death imagery, more self-conscious vocal acrobatics, more self-conscious in general. Using every rock cliché in the book, the CD lacks the spark and fire of the band's debut, The Silence in Black and White. Nearly entirely hook-free, the songs meander around the usual depressed-teenager themes. Heavy on the death imagery, light on the wit and charm, this sophomore effort falls flat on nearly every song.


Is it any good?

 

Screaming guitars fight for attention while lyrics don't say much and wallow in self-absorbed self-pity. The songs may be repetitious and predictable, but they do deliver a strong and worthwhile subliminal message. If it's true -- and we do believe it's true -- that artistic expression is a terrific alternative to hurting yourself when you're feeling really bad, then Hawthorne Heights sets a fine example. Their songs might not be great, but writing about all that loneliness and misery and moving on to tell the story in apparent good health sends a peculiarly positive message all its own.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the fact that this band is a living example of songwriting being a really good outlet if you're feeling terrible about your life. What else can kids do when they're feeling depressed?


This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Teen, 18 years old
April 11, 2010
 
Hawthrone Heights equal AMZING!!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I Love This... Sometimes.
Every now and then, when I need something quiet, I'll listen to "If Only You Were Lonely." It's not my absolute favorite, but it's what got me into Hawthorne Heights. It's got a neat concept, but the the sound seems almost pre-packaged, not all that original at all.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Awesome
This is for all the rockers out there if you aren't really into rock and screamo you won't like this, but other words you would it relates to teenagers and what happens if you fall in love with someone then are forced to move away. it has helped me alot in the past few months.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
goood music
this is a great cd buy it

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Teen, 15 years old
November 22, 2011
 
Stop.
Stop. Just stop. Some of the reviews on this website are borderline slander. Just stop.

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Adult
April 8, 2011
 
powerful, emotional, throughout great!
i actually own this album and this was amazing their second album just as good as their first casey's screams are amazing throughout each song. dead in the water great song, this is who we are their title track which is amazing , powerful, comes real strong.

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This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Hawthorne Heights
Release date:February 28, 2006
Label:Victory
Genre:Rock
Parental advisory:No

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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