Artist(s): Various Artists
Genre: Soundtrack
Label: MTV Networks
Release Date: 01/17/2012
Edited Version Available: Yes
Parental Advisory: No
Other Choices: "Dog Days Are Over" (CD single), "Monster" (CD Single), "The Only Exception" (CD single)
Common Sense Says: Moody CD OK for teens; profits go to charity.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that these songs are from the popular MTV reality show Teen Mom, which deals with young women struggling to raise a child while still growing up themselves. Although the topic is a mature one, and the songs are mostly about relationships and breakups, the lyrics are clean and free of anything that's inappropriate for this age. One song talks about kissing and staying the night, but other than that, the album is fine for teens.
- Families can talk about the show Teen Mom. What kind of messages do you think the show sends to teenage girls and boys? Is it positive or negative?
- What do you think makes the show so popular? Do you think it's positive that some of the moms are now considered celebrities? What message does that send?
- How does the soundtrack capture the TV show's message?
What's the story?
TEEN MOM SOUNDTRACK: MUSIC FROM THE HIT TV SHOW features songs from seasons one and two of the popular MTV reality show Teen Mom. The show follows the lives of real-life teens trying to grow up while raising their own children. The 12 tracks include music from emerging alt-rock bands like E for Explosion, One Hundred Paces, and musician Andy Davis. Proceeds from the album go to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy, a first for MTV.
Is it any good?
Even if you aren't necessarily a fan of the show Teen Mom, it's hard not to like the music on the soundtrack. Much like the heartache and struggles the show portrays, most of the songs are melancholy, emo-tinged music about love and love lost. "Hard to Believe" by Andy Davis, "Rise and Fall" by One Hundred Paces, and E for Explosion's "This Is Me Being Honest" are standouts, but the whole album is filled with solid alt-rock tracks.
The Good Stuff
Messages: Most of the songs are pretty melancholy, about breakups and missing someone, but the TV show's intention is to reveal the harsh realities of being a teen mom -- with the hope of helping prevent unplanned teen pregnancies.
Role Models: The bands featured are emerging alt-rock bands, so it's too early to know if they are positive role models per se, but their music is free of negative behaviors. Proceeds from the album go to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy.
What to watch out for
Violence Not an issue
Sex: No explicit talk of sex on the album, but obviously this show is a result of irresponsible teen sex. "Tell Me You Loved Me" insinuates staying the night with someone after feelings are declared: "Are you lonely at night? Does your fear fill your mind? Tell me you love me and I won't leave." It also talks of kissing and how "your mouth slips from your teeth and lands inside mine," but that's as graphic as it gets.
Language: Mature topics but the lyrics are clean.
Consumerism: Promotes MTV and popular reality show Teen Mom, but the proceeds support the National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy.
Drinking, drugs & smoking: Not an issue
