| 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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this album, and Chris Daughtry himself, are about as clean as they come: though the singer can clearly feel conflicted at times, he refrains from indulging in explicit language, drug use, or other mature behaviors to drown his occasional sorrows.
Former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry's new record, LEAVE THIS TOWN, finds his band exploring the ups and downs of romantic relationships -- a theme that fits with the group’s rise from regular married guys (all but the drummer have wives) to huge stars trying to reconcile their relationships with new-found fame. Though most of the lyrics focus on the problems this brings, which makes the CD seem somewhat of a downer overall, none of the songs contain the explicit language or graphic descriptions that often accompany accounts of relationship woes. For example: “Complicated situations are the makings of all that’s wrong / And I’ve been standing in the river of deliverance for way too long / There’s gotta be a better way to say what’s in my heart without leaving scars.”
Chris Daughtry’s ticket to fame was his mass appeal, so it’s no surprise that his music, while hard-driving, sticks with the radio-friendly, power-rock formula. That said, this record shows a few more glimmers of originality than the first, such as the country-inspired track “Tennessee Line” and the cool “woo-hoos” backing the song “Supernatural.” Of course, Daughtry’s laser-clear voice remains the band’s best asset.
Daughtry represents a somewhat unique musical success story, managing to appear cool to a young audience without relying on a lot of swearing, sexual descriptions, or drug use to do it. What qualities in the singer and his bandmates contribute to this success? How can other artists emulate this behavior in order to achieve similar success?
What affect does bad behavior by celebrities and musical artists have on kids? Read our tips on Celebrity Role Models.