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Unbeautiful (by Lesley Roy, Rock)

common sense media says

Candid rock from authentic singer-songwriter.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this talented young musician's songs are visceral and honest, and her lyrics deal with real issues. There's a cigarette or two, a song called "Psycho Bitch," a couple of references to sexuality.

Positive messages: The real message here is about artistic integrity and being true to yourself. "Here for You Now" describes being there for a friend in trouble.
Violence: Some darkly poetic metaphors ("I feel like I'm dead but breathing"), and one memorial to a friend, but no explicitly violent language.
Sex: Nothing explicit, but there's direct, assertive sexuality in lyrics like "when I look at you, I wanna get a room."
Language: One track is called "Psycho Bitch."
Consumerism: No obvious product placement in lyrics; packaging unavailable for review.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One tobacco reference: "Sitting in the park after dark smoking cigarettes, biting all the black off my nails."
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More on Unbeautiful

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about "Unbeautiful," in which the singer is trying to figure out what's gone wrong in a relationship and blaming herself in an insecure moment ("Was it something that I said? Is it something that I did? 'Cause I gotta know what made me unbeautiful"). Have you ever felt this way? What things can you do to restore your own self-esteem?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Lesley Roy's dusky, expressive vocals, along with powerful arrangements and terrific songwriting, make UNBEAUTIFUL one of the best CDs to come along in a while. Roy is a versatile performer, careening from hook-filled power pop to soaring ballads and from refreshingly assertive sexuality to insecurity-riddled questioning.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Dublin puts her songs across with rare musical integrity, talent, and taste. Provocative song titles like "Psycho Bitch" and "Dead but Breathing" unfold to reveal vulnerability, intense honesty, and loyalty. "Here for You Now" is a promise not to abandon a friend in trouble. "Come Back," the album's closer, is an emotional memorial to a friend, getting to the heart of grief and memory by way of describing one small moment in time ("Come back, come back, you've left us here alone/secrets, you've kept them, now you're lying in the stone/and you'll never come home").

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: September 30, 2008
Label: BMG Import
Genre: Rock
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Yasas10
teen, 15 years old
11
 
Really Nice Song!
Lesley's voice is amazing, and the lyrics are wonderful.
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helped me decide (1) | had useful details | read my mind

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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