Title: Elevate
Artist: Big Time Rush
Label: Columbia
Recommended age group: 8+
Genre: Pop
Release date: 2011
Content: This album by Big Tim Rush features many of the band's songs from their Nickelodeon Show. Including, "Music Sounds Better With U", "Elevate" and "If I Ruled the World". The songs are not exactly content driven, but they are catchy.
Critical evaluation: Due to the nature of the band, they were formed on Nickelodeon, their music sounds a bit massed produced. However, the tunes are catchy and upbeat. Also, due to their affiliation with Nickelodeon, parents know that the content of the songs is going to be suitable for their children.
Challenge issues: None
Why I chose this: Teenagers are some of the primary listeners of Big Time Rush
Title: Teenage Dream
Artist: Katy Perry
Label: Capitol
Recommended age group: 14+
Genre: Pop
Release date: 2010
Content: Katy Perry's album encompasses many different feelings. The song "Teenage Dream" talks about first teenage love, "The One that Got Away" is about a boyfriend that she wishes had not gotten away, and "Firework" which is a self-empowerment song.
Critical evaluation: Katy Perry's songs have catchy beats, and the lyrical content within the songs to make a great album. Many pop albums do not have lyrics that entirely make sense within the song, but Katy Perry's album is different. People are drawn to sing along with each track due to either the catchy beats, the catchy melodies or both.
Challenge issues: There are some references to sex in Katy Perry's music but it may be hard for the listener to hear the references or completely understand them.
Why I chose this: Katy Perry is one of the most popular stars in the world, and adults and teenagers alike know the words to her music.
Title: Speak Now
Artist: Taylor Swift
Label: Big Machine
Recommended age group: 8+
Genre: Country, pop
Release date: 2010
Content: Taylor Swift is known to write songs about former flames, on this album she does not disappoint. Taylor Swift writes a slow apology song to a former flame in the song "Back to December". The song "Enchanted" was written about how she enjoyed meeting someone. The song "Mean" was written towards a particularly mean critic, but also translates to bullies in real kids' lives.
Critical evaluation: Taylor Swift's musical is catchy and does not contain lyrics that you would not want your child singing along to. Her songs are well written, thought out and mean something as opposed to many songs coming out of the music industry.
Challenge issues: None
Why I chose this: Taylor Swift's music is surprisingly relateable by teenagers and young adults.
