 | 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. |
T-Squad
Common Sense Media says
Tedious, bland, and condescending tween hip-pop.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that these watered-down pop songs performed by heavily hyped kids will come across as tedious to any real music fan, no matter what age. The content itself isn't inappropriate in any way, but it's inane.
What's the story?
T-SQUAD is one of those CDs that seems to underestimate the taste and intelligence of kids. It's disheartening when care isn't given to the quality of music for kids, particularly since the members of T-Squad -- four heavily hyped Disney-ized tweens -- can probably dance and sing with the best of 'em. (Talent has never been a problem with Disney child artists, harking back to the days of the original Mouseketeers.) But these four are not given the platform to show off their talent. For example, "Parents Just Don't Understand," was a charming teen lament in its original form. Just edgy and honest enough and performed with a wink and a smile, the Will Smith original deserves its status as a witty classic. But T-Squad's cover version plods along with no personality, no irony, no sense of loving fun.
Is it any good?
It would be wonderful to see what these undoubtedly talented kids could do under the direction of producers who actually respect them as artists. Then their fans could actually appreciate music that's free of tedium and condescension. But despite talent, off-the-chart scores on the cute-o-meter, and actual performance experience, T-Squad is simply not allowed to shine on their debut CD.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about music that condescends to kids. Just because you're young, why do certain producers think that you won't care about or respond to high production standards or imaginative musical arrangements? What is it about Will Smith's original version of "Parents Just Don't Understand" (to take one example) that makes it so much funnier and more genuine than T-Squad's version?
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AGE
A must listen to for every 9-14 year old
The T-squad CD is one of the best CDs I've listened to for my whole life! You must listen to it. If you don't like it, your nuts!
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AGE
music my age could listen to
good music,very cool,i love all the songs
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AGE
Surprisingly Good!
At first look, you describe these kids as normal teenage kids doing normal teenage things, but when you hear the talent in the songs, you'll be blown away. You may say, "Oh, well this girl writing this only thirteen so what would she know about music?" I happen to know a lot, and these teens definitely have what it takes to make it big. Keep on singing!!
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