My reviews are not meant to replace your good judgment!! Please be an active parent, not a robot!! If you disagree with me, I'd love to hear your opinion. Send comments, questions and suggestions for material to be reviewed to: Mwuggazer@redeemerbirmingham.org.

My Ratings System:

Kanye West / Stronger / M

Kanye’s song is heavily influenced by the song, ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by French electronic dance band, Daft Punk. Even Kanye’s video tips its hat to the Anime style of the original.  While the Daft Punk song is suitable for even small children, Kanye has ratcheted both song and video up to a more hard core level.  This is unfortunate, since kids who are into Anime (highly stylized Japanese animation) will be much more conscious of the Kanye song than they would otherwise.  Kanye sings about coming on to his girl.  He uses the ‘s-word’ and the ‘f-word’.   Sure, the words are dropped from the vocal track, but you still hear the ‘s’ and the ‘f’ at the beginning of the word.  It’s not difficult to figure out what word is being dropped.  The video also uses disturbing futuristic images not suitable for young eyes.  Unfortunately because of the play off Anime, as I said earlier, younger kids will be more conscious of Kanye’s song and video than they otherwise would be. 

Also worth mentioning is Kanye’s fascination with God.  It was this fascination that drove many people to pronounce Kanye a ‘street-smart gospel preacher to the hip-hop generation’ five years ago when he first burst onto the scene with the song, “Jesus Walks”.  Kanye quickly proved to be just another rapper pushing people out of their comfort zones just to make a buck.  His use of  Christian imagery and concepts in his songs has proved to be nothing more than a gimmick.  In his defense, I can’t say that Kanye doesn’t really believe in God.  However, the God he consistently pictures in his songs is one that at the same time understands Kanye’s carnal desires, accepting his actions without judgment, and the aloof entity which is simply responsible for fate (albeit in an ultimately benevolent way).  Kanye has no concept that God hates sin, or that humans are accountable before God for their morality.  Therefore there is no room in Kanye’s theology for a Jesus who atoned for his personal sins.  There is a huge difference between Kanye’s version of a God who accepts people the way they are, and the Bible’s version of a God who takes sin-stained people who are not acceptable and purifies them in Jesus’ blood to make them acceptable. 

Soulja Boy / Crank That / XXX

This song is a #1 download on iTunes, so it can’t be ignored.   It is one of the most vile, detestable songs I have ever heard.  He uses derogatory language to define women, blacks, and basically anyone he doesn’t like.  He is completely self-centered and materialistic.  If it’s on an iPod in your house, it’s a definite problem.  The natural question I’d put to a teen who likes the song, is:  “Tell me what the attraction is to you about this song?” and,  “Are you aware of the morality issues is this song?” and, “As a Christian, are you not horrified by these lyrics?”  Often teens are able to set up dichotomies in their brains that adults are not able to do.  It is perfectly natural for teens to be able to be a Christian with high moral values, and yet ‘enjoy’ media that is saturated with everything that goes against those moral values.  As the adults entrusted with their development, it is our job to convict them of their dichotomies and question their decisions.  When we do this in a non –threatening way, teens will respond (eventually) by learning to question these dichotomies themselves.  When we repeatedly express our discomfort with these dichotomies, they will (eventually!) become uncomfortable with the dichotomies themselves.  So I say, “Boo Hiss” to those people who say that a parent’s job of forming the morals of their child is over at an early age.  Yes, the morals may be implanted.  But the importance of the teenage years is to erase the dichotomies. 

When you understand that teens have this ability to set up such dichotomies in their heads, you no longer have to panic when they do or say terrible things, or when they make mistakes and poor decisions.  There is no worry that you have not done your job well, or that they are immoral or bad kids.   It means that your job has moved to the advanced stage or helping your teen overcome the dichotomies they have set up.

Nickelback / Rockstar / X

Nickelback takes us on a trip through everyone’s imagination as they fantasize about being rockstars (rather an oxymoron, eh?).  Along the way they conjure up mature images of the rockstar life, some of which border on the risqué, and they drop the ‘A’ word.   An older teen that has the ability to decipher analogy and sarcasm will understand that the song is a fantasy and that the point of the song is that the ‘normal-guy’ life really is better.  A younger teen, not yet equipped with abstract reasoning simply won’t get it, and risks being ensnared by the ideal of the rich and famous lifestyle. 

Sean Kingston / Me Love / M

Me Love is the cleanest, most acceptable Sean Kingston track I’ve ever heard.  Of course, that’s not saying much.  There are no bad words, and no objectionable innuendos.  Kingston’s perception of love and relationships, however, is very objectionable.  The song title says it all, “Me Love”.  The singer spends the entire four minutes bemoaning his feelings in the wake of his girlfriend breaking up with him.  You guessed it:  It’s all about him.  We’re not just talking about his feelings after a breakup, which would be understandable.  When Kingston describes the relationship that he lost, it becomes clear that it was all about him and his desires.  He recounts what he used to get out of the relationship in the most selfish terms.  He sounds like a two-year old.  (No insult meant to the two-year olds reading this column.)  No thought is ever given to the needs of his girlfriend, or even their relationship together.  No wonder she left him, but that’s not a thought that Kingston seems conscious of in the song. 

Casting Crowns / East to West / ++

Casting Crowns is not the most exciting band on the planet, and they aren’t breaking any new ground on their latest disc, The Altar and the Door.   However, they are very talented musicians and singers, and if you are looking for some really creative, well performed devotional music, this is a bullseye.    Compare to Daughtry or John Mayer.  The single, East to West is just one of several great tracks.  Buy it!