July 2003 Wuggie's Music, Media and More . . . .
Ratings System:
++ Christian - made specifically by Christians for Christians
+ Secular - but contains nothing offensive to most Christians, probably made by Christians trying to exert influence in secular media.
M Mature content. Not necessarily offensive, but parents should be careful before allowing exposure to children and pre-teens.
X Mature content. For mature teens, firm in their convictions and morals, who have received much parental guidance.
XX Contains very mature, problematic content. Parents should seriously consider restricting exposure to teens.
XXX Completely offensive. Not only should teens be restricted, but adults may want to question their own exposure.
White Stripes / Elephant / M
The White Stripes are a band from Detroit that has made it big. They have a simple, raw sound that is difficult to categorize, but some have defined as goth punk. Despite their 'scary' appearance, White Stripes is actually pretty mild lyrically. I've found nothing morally objectionable and there's no profanity. White Stripes sing about things like social issues (Seven Nation Army is a G7 protest song) and the normal frustrations of growing up. Some songs, such as Little Acorns, have uplifting, encouraging themes that are similar to lessons taught in the Bible. The song The Union Forever (White Blood Cells CD) even sounds like it could be about Jesus. That said, I'm definitely NOT calling them a Christian band or endorsing them as such. All references to spiritual matters are from a secular, searching perspective. Still, White Stripes is a band that parents don't have to lose any sleep over.
Switchfoot / The Beautiful Letdown / +
Switchfoot is an amazing phenomenon. They are a Christian band from Southern California. (The term 'switchfoot' refers to a surfing maneuver.) The band has released 3 CDs on the Christian label, ___________, and found a great deal of success with the Christian market. Last year, their label was purchased by secular music giant, Columbia records. Columbia decided to release and promote Switchfoot's latest CD, The Beautiful Letdown, to the general secular market. The gamble paid off, and Switchfoot is hitting it big. This is not just a good thing for Christian music fans, but also for the Kingdom. Switchfoot's God-pleasing lyrics and image it being broadcast on stations like 89X here in Detroit and across the country. How's that for mission work? Please buy their CD, because the one thing the executives at Columbia understand it's money. Give it to your kids, your grandkids, your nephew or niece. They'll love it, it's a good influence on them, and it advances the Kingdom. That's a rare thing! Please pray for Switchfoot. Pray that God blesses them and their music!
Linkin Park / Meteora / M
Linkin Park happens to be a persona favorite from the secular world. I've just loved the nu metal, hybrid sound ever since Run DMC and Aerosmith got together, and these guys do it better than anybody else. They are a secular band, to be sure. Their lyrics deal mainly with feelings of emptiness and searching and the frustrations of relationships. I pray they someday find what they are searching for in Jesus Christ. Until then, I'm happy that Linkin Park has enough talent to be super successful without having to 'push the envelope' or include morally objectionable content in their lyrics.
Beyonce / Dangerously In Love / X
There was a time that Beyonce's former band, Destiny's Child, was billed as a 'secular band of good Christian girls.' Beyonce has shed that image. Ok, she's no Christina Aguilara, but her web site sports some photos of her wearing little clothing in suggestive poses, and her lyrics promote boy-craziness, hyper-sexuality, and occasionally contain sexually suggestive phrases. It seems that becoming a superstar is an all consuming goal for Beyonce. Too bad. Try Rebecca St. James or Out Of Eden as Christian alternatives.
Three 6 Mafia / Da Unbreakables / XXX
This CD just debuted at #4 on Billboard's CD chart. Kids are buying this CD at breakneck speed. I seriously recommend that this CD doesn't make it into your house. If rapping about violence against women, violence against cops, materialism, and cussing is an art form, these guys are the new Rembrandts. Try Grits or Toby Mac as Christian alternatives.
Metallica / St. Anger / XXX
This new CD from the kings of metal is empty. Oh, the guys certainly can still rehash the metal guitar licks that made them famous, and their image is one that some teens will flock to. I've noticed an interesting phenomenon. When you ask a musician why he or she loads their songs with four letter words and sings passionately about anger and rebellion, they usually say something to the effect of, "It's my art. I just write what I feel. I'm just being true to my feelings." Ok, I can't judge the guys, I guess I don't really know what is in their hearts and feelings. But the old act of anger and rebellion at the world just rings kinda hollow from these multi-millionaire 50 year olds, doesn't it? Have they really not grown emotionally over the past 20 years? Has their song writing art not matured? This CD is so laden with cussing and unfounded hatred toward the world, I fail to see the art, and I recommend it stay out of your house. Try P.O.D. or Seventy Times Seven as Christian Alternatives.
According to the Chicago Tribune, online predators often target teenage girls ages 13 and 14 because they are old enough to travel by themselves but too innocent to be wary. This is the warning being given by law enforcement to parents. "13 and 14 are magic numbers," said Julie Posey, an investigator working on online crimes against children. "They're just young and innocent and easy to dupe into a meeting." Predators relish the anonymity of the Internet. What can parents do? Supervise all online time, set rules about where children and teens may go online, and to whom they may talk to. (eg. same rules as offline: If you don't know who the person is, don't talk to them.) If you don't know what is good and what is bad, talk to your kids and spend time with them online. Have them show you where they go and who they talk to. Call it "family time", not "gestapo parental supervision time". Have your teens show you where they have found bad stuff. If they tell you they've never found bad stuff online then they might be hiding it from you. It doesn't mean they've searched for it. Most teens say they've found bad stuff online unintentionally. Have them show you how this has happened, and teach them how to handle it when it does. Don't make this conversation accusatory. Tell your teens, "I want you to teach me." Above all, educate children and teens about what can happen and who they might be talking to.