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Katharine McPhee (by Katharine McPhee, Pop)

common sense media says

Idol alum covers teens' emotional ride.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee's perky pop runs the gamut of teenage emotions, covering everything from love's loss and longing to retail therapy. There's no offensive or direct language on this CD -- and it's better than most Idol winners' first efforts.

Positive messages: All over the map...alternately independent/strong and codependent.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Just a bit of innuendo: "Put your hands on me just like a man" in "Do What You Do."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: "Open Toes" celebrates shopping, whether or not you can really afford it, but no specific brand names are mentioned.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Katharine McPhee

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the phenomenon of American Idol winners releasing huge-selling albums. Do you think Katharine McPhee would have made it on her own, without the benefit of exposure on the popular TV show? Would her first CD have been different, if so?

What's the story?

What's the story?
On her self-titled album, KATHARINE McPHEE, McPhee shows that she really can sing -- and deserves every bit of the star treatment she got on American Idol. She's given a chance to strut her considerable stuff on a couple of breathtaking ballads ("Ordinary World" and "Better Off Alone"), but she also shows that she's capable of some "girls-just-wanna-have-fun" attitude on "Open Toes": "Shoes like this make me hate flats... / Swipe that card and I'm good / another pair in leather and wood / I'm a sucker for a name brand." Other songs address tougher emotional terrain, including "Better off Alone," an anthem to independence in the wake of a disappointing love affair.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Katharine McPhee delivers a dozen pleasant tracks of well-performed pop that cover the emotional landscape of being a teen. Lyrics skirt on the edge of innuendo, but are really pretty tame. They're also occasionally really well-written, and always well-performed.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: January 30, 2007
Label: RCA
Genre: Pop
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

yankeesmlb
teen, 14 years old
 
a pretty good album
i think Katharine McPhee did a good job on this album.it was (in my opinion)better than her singinging on american idol.it did not have any crude humor at all. so overall i give it 4 stars.
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coheteloco
adult
 
Average
As a famous american idol judge might say "so what?" I don't think she really misses the mark totally on this album - but she's not kelly clarkson or christina by any means. My real problem with the album is that I LOVED her on idol - and the album is just bubble gum top 40 garbage... same thing you could get from any above average looking/sounding pop star.
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tuck2
teen, 13 years old
 
I Loved It
OMG this is the best CD I have ever heard any one who dosent like is weird!
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helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

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