++  Patently Christian

+  Conforms to Christian morals and values

M Mature content

X Mild objectionable content

XX Objectionable content

XXX Offensive content

 

 

Sara Bareilles  / Love Song / M

Sara’s image is clean, girl-next-door type who made it on her talent alone.  She inspires young people everywhere to pursue their dreams, especially if their dream is in music.   The only beef I have with her is that she writes a blog on her website that is a little less squeaky clean than her music.  She is a self proclaimed ‘potty-mouth’.   Mind you, her version of a potty-mouth is the same as a what a fourth grader might think.  She’s not dropping F bombs, but she does use that ubiquitous phrase: omg. 

 

Finger Eleven / Paralyzer / X

This edgy band plays driving alternative rock heavily influenced by blues and jazz.  Just from hearing the first few bars you might think trouble is coming . . . but it never really does.  The hooks are haunting, the riffs insatiable, and the lyrics poetic and reasonably clean.   There is only the very occasional and very minor bad word.  The band sings about the tension of attraction in Paralyzer, which is a mature subject matter, but they do it in a way that isn’t objectionable.   The innuendos will go over the heads of kids without the maturity to understand.  Regular readers of this column know that I often criticize innuendo that isn’t really innuendo.  That isn’t the case here.  The band’s web site and MySpace page are both clean.  The video gives a nod to the famous U2 ‘Streets’ video on its way to being very creative and clean.  I found nothing objectionable.  I gave them one X just for the mature subject matter and occasional bad word.  Finger Eleven won’t pose a problem for mature teens.

 

Seether / Fake it / XXX

The music gets an A+.  I hate to say it, I really like Seether’s music.  Here is a classic case, however, of a band I can’t like even though I like.  The lyrics get two X’s and the video adds the third.  The singer takes the name of the Lord in vain throughout the song, and uses the F word several times.  The video is little more than a cadre of lingerie clad models dancing around the band in a private jet.  Seriously guys?  You can’t be more creative than that?  Oh, that’s right, it’s not about creativity at all, it’s about activating the hormones of pre-teen boys so they’ll buy your record.  If your son is into Seether, here’s a good opportunity to teach him how he and his hormones are being used and abused for profit. 

 

Paramore / Crush Crush Crush / +

Paramore is a great new band from Tennesee staring an 18 female singer who has gotten some great critical acclaim.  The band’s image is as squeaky clean as it is cutting edge trendy.  I gave them one cross because everything I found on the band, from its web presence, videos, etc. all conforms to Christian values.  They let fans post messages on their web site, but apparently someone edits the postings to ensure the web site stays clean.  That’s an almost unprecedented step.  Make no mistake, they are not a ‘Christian band’, and they make no profession of faith on their web site, etc.  On the other hand, everything indicates that they are Christians who just happen to be in a band. 

 

Avenged Sevenfold / Almost Easy / XXX

This is one of those bands obsessed with death, blood, suicide, and mental disorders.  Need I say more?  Just so you know. 

 

Buckcherry / Sorry / XX

While I personally find this band to be whiny over emotional worthless pop drivel . . . I have to admit that there’s nothing wrong with the band’s lyrics.  The problem came when I went to their web site.  The band likes to live on the edge, so to speak.  Images of skulls, flames and tattoos provide the background for lots of talk about partying and sex.  While I couldn’t find any bad words in their lyrics, I found plenty on their web site.  Their web site is also very demeaning to women.  If your kid has the song on their iPod, it’s probably not the end of the world.  If your kid is a fan, then that’s cause for discussion.  I gave them 2 X’s.  Sorry. 

 

Pink / Who Knew / M

I’ve decided that Pink is the female equivalent of Billy Idol.   Hook laden power pop with a dance flavor, edgy leather and spandex image, but basically clean.  Pink sometimes gets sexual in her videos, but not in the raw way that some female singers do.  The song, Who Knew is a sweet song with a cute beat and a powerful hook.  Nothing objectionable.