Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace

There are enough swear words (f--k, s--t, asshole) to rate a parental-advisory sticker, but vocals are low in many of the mixes, and not only do the obligatory rants not take over; they're sometimes barely audible. The lyrics are also so good that this may be one instance where an occasional expletive that you're kid has already heard isn't too detrimental. Some of the cynically morbid imagery ("If we don't make it alive/well it's a hell of a good day to die") and violent metaphor might be disturbing, but if it makes it any better, it's always clever. The deeper, more subtle message -- promoting self-expression, whether in the form of songwriting or any other art, as a way to handle frustration and pain -- is the real take-home value for families.