| 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. |
Parents need to know that this album is one magic potion that doesn't have any questionable ingredients. Pulling from the Disney Channel talent stable, the soundtrack features lots of famous TV faces. If you're familiar with the tone of Hannah Montana music and iCarly sounds, then you shouldn't be surprised at the style here. Parents will probably recognize lots of the songs, as many of the "magic" songs are from the '70s and '80s.
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo! Disney's fascination with the fantastically magical (think the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, and Fantasia) continues with WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE, a soundtrack to the hit Disney Channel TV show. Following the theme of this sorcery sitcom, each song is about magic. There are a bunch of retro covers that draw from a variety of magic-themed songs, from The Pilot's 1975 hit "Magic" and the similarly title '84 single by The Cars to "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," which finds Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso covering the Sting classic. Just like on TV, Selena Gomez is the star here, singing four of the 12 tracks.
Just like the series that inspired this soundtrack, the music featured here is fun and upbeat -- a veritable dance party in an LP. There's nothing especially deep or profound, but this is Disney tween entertainment at its best: hip, pop tunes that capture the spirit of the moment. With the '80s becoming retro chic these days, the revival of pop classics from the era seems like a perfect spell. All these songs, whether covers or originals, get the same super-production. For fans of the original songs, this might be an abomination, but for tweens who've never heard these classics, this album should be just the trick.
Families can talk about the interconnectedness among movies, TV, music, and the Internet. Why does every show have a soundtrack, Web site, or movie associated with it?
Why do so many other Disney artists appear here? What is Disney's marketing strategy? Do you think it was good timing to put out a soundtrack for the television show just weeks before the related movie is released? Read "Selling to Kids Tips" to combat the marketing monster.
Talk about fantasy versus reality. Disney television shows and movies can make the average into the fabulous. Characters live in beautiful houses, have the latest fashion, and are always fit and trim. How does this image differ from real life? Read our "Positive Body Images Tips" to find out how to build self-confidence.
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Artist: | Various Artists |
| Release date: | August 4, 2009 |
| Label: | Walt Disney Records |
| Genre: | Soundtrack |
| Parental advisory: | No |