 | 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. |
No Line on the Horizon
Common Sense Media says
Rockin' -- and still relevant -- U2 sends stirring message.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this album is a mostly upbeat collection of songs that discuss the current state of the world and what people can do to affect change. Many of the songs tell grim stories from a first-person perspective, like a soldier dying. Teens should appreciate the technology references and the timely lyrics.
What's the story?
From Morocco to London, Dublin to New York, U2 toured the globe recording their 12th studio album, NO LINE ON THE HORIZON. All that globetrotting fits in perfectly with the theme of this release. Combining different cultures, varying perspectives, and global settings, U2 has created a CD with universal appeal that urges listeners to "Go, shout it out, rise up." Whether they're singing commands found in a computer dialogue box or telling the story of a dying soldier in Afghanistan, U2 tells the tales behind the evening news soundbites, "squeezing complicated lives into a simple headline," as one lyric describes it. The first single release, "Get on Your Boots," is an energetic call to today's youth to get politically active.
Is it any good?
After 30 years in the rock business, you'd think U2 would be struggling to remain relevant in a music industry powered by the new and novel. Not so. This album seems particularly suited for kids raised in today's technology-laden, news-saturated world. The CD is not a downer about hard times, but rather a pumped-up power album intended to inspire action: "Out from under your beds, C'mon ye people, stand up for your love." While some of the material is too gritty for younger kids, it's OK for teens -- especially politically minded ones -- who are sure to embrace it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about using first-person narrators in music. Maybe you're dealing with this subject in English class, but how do musicians and songwriters use different characters to narrate songs? Do you think this enables artists to say things they wouldn't say, if they can speak through a character and get away with it? Can you think of some singer/songwriters who regularly use the first-person narrative in a song? Can you trust what the character's lyrics are or might they be biased by the narrator's perspective?
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AGE
REALLY GOOD
Really Good Says Sexy in get on your boots
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AGE
Good 4 everyone
U2 is probly one of the best bands I kno good messages good music good album
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Kid, 11 years old
September 6, 2009
AGE
U2 is great
their music is so addicting
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AGE
GREEEEAAAAATTTTTT
I love it!!!!
But I seem to be the only one at school who has ever heard of them
Boy are they missing out!
-William (the Son)
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AGE
U2 is totally appropriate!
This is U2! U2 is always appropriate!
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AGE
Not better than "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb"
Not very experimaental, but still a good effort!
I like "Cedars of Lebanon" and "Get on Your Boots."
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AGE
AWESOME
This is amazing! If parents are looking this up, you should know that anything by these famous Irish rockers are going to be appropriate.
I wish more of my friends know of them :(
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AGE
Solid but not outstanding U2, don't download "Cedars..." for the young ones
A fan wanting to love this CD will love it, but unfortunately it dosn't stand as tall when compared to other U2 CD's such as Joshua Tree, War, Unforgettable Fire, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb to name a few. The only curse word is on "Cedars..." which is my least favorite song anyway. Some tracks are still outstanding (Moment of Surrender, Magnificent), its otherwise appropriate, and it's worth the money.
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| Artist: | U2 |
| Release date: | March 3, 2009 |
| Label: | Interscope Records |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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