 | 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. |
Way Out
- By Justin Roberts
- Genre: Children's Music
Common Sense Media says
Kid-friendly songs from an ex-indie folk singer.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that even the smallest kids will enjoy this mix of original folk, pop, and rock songs, although the content is geared toward the early grammar school years.
What's the story?
Stylistically, WAY OUT nods to the Beatles, James Taylor, Van Morrison, and Green Day. Lyrically, it captures slices of the school-age child's life -- picture day, day camp, best friend, lost tooth, doctor's visit, backyard spaceship, suppertime, little brothers, and a dash of nonsense.
Is it any good?
Justin Roberts' 12 original songs dwell on daily joys and concerns of childhood, but never dip into a dark place. A trip to the doctor for a shot in the punk-inspired "Doctor Doctor" is as scary as it gets, and it ends with ice cream. In the high-energy "Day Camp," a scaled-down acoustic rock rendition with drums, bass synthesizer, and guitar, it's "summertime, get out that orange life jacket and that badminton racket." The traveling folk tune "Roller in the Coaster," including banjo and zither, announces up front: "Here's a happy song, you can sing along."
Some songs are well structured and lyrically focused. The rocker "Picture Day" laments "daddy ... why you gotta comb my hair so flat ... the photographer says he'll give me a souvenir comb, but I just want to go home." Other songs could use some shaping. "Humpty's At It Again," for instance, is as confused as the king's men. Each family member may have a favorite, but a couple of tunes may command a fast forward as well.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how well Roberts' lyrics capture the day-to-day goings-on of school-age children or how closely they reflect kids' actual experiences.
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AGE
Rockin Tunes for All ages
We are BIG fans of Justin Roberts and listen to his "stuff" at least twice a week. We all sing along, not just the young folk. Upbeat, fun, funny, silly, it's a good time with some catchy tunes!
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| Artist: | Justin Roberts |
| Release date: | July 18, 2004 |
| Label: | Carpet Square |
| Genre: | Children's Music |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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