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Tween Pop Goes Parent-Friendly

By Dave Rogers - Mon Jul 7, 2008 5:04pm PDT
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Confused by the Jonas Brothers and the Naked Brothers? (Hint: The Jo Bros are at left.) Unsure which is real—Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus? Worried about the messages coming from rising tween überstars?

Well, relax and let Los Angeles Times pop music critic Ann Powers do the heavy lifting. In a refreshing and witty piece, Powers peels back the hysteria and reveals the Big Secret: "No longer is teen pop based on the Lolita principle. Instead, it's a tool for learning, transforming the individualism and irreverence of the rock era into good-girl-and-boy self-empowerment."

That's right: Tween pop has gone parent-friendly. "Growing up is the subject of tween pop, and nobody wants to skip the process," says Powers—and although those over 12 may find the tunes "not quite a whole meal," we can still enjoy the artists' genuine intent to rock out.

Accompanying Powers' observations are two engaging galleries, the first a gentle deconstruction of several tween chart-toppers, the second a timeline of kid rock history. (Remember Ricky Nelson? Hands?)

Ready to check out some of this new tween pop? We suggest Eventually, the newest video from The Naked Brothers Band. Enjoy!

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Other Parents Say…

Showing 11-20 Comments of 50

Posted by m j Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:08pm PDT

Okay, I am a teenager, and i just read this 2 c wat bands it was about, and, hint to parents: nobody likes the jonas brothers unless they r ten, younger, or clearly need a life. Just warning you, if your child has an obsession with the jonas brothers, you might want to schedule a brain transplant!!! Everyone just makes fun of them, and their music stinks!

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Posted by Derrick S Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:12pm PDT

I was the kind of kid at 9 or 10 who watched R rated horror movies and never really got too scared or had nightmares. As a child, watching The Dark Night wouldn't have hurt me. But I could imagine it being disturbing for a more sensitive kid, not because of violence but because of the menacing characters. PG-13 is a fitting rating. Any teenager should be fine watching this movie.

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Posted by rob,Blog to Great Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:12pm PDT

check out story on Jonas Bros concert ticket contest, http://gatheringhome.typepad.com/music_news_net/2008/06/jonas-bros-free.html good luck

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Posted by rob,Blog to Great Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:12pm PDT

check out story on Jonas Bros concert ticket contest, http://gatheringhome.typepad.com/music_news_net/2008/06/jonas-bros-free.html good luck

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Posted by ruinate Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:19pm PDT

Jonas Brothers, FTL. Stop buying the records and concert tickets... make these idiots get day jobs already.

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Posted by Sean W Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:19pm PDT

Keep in mind that Road to Perdition, Blade, V for Vendettea, Sin City, and 300 were also comic book movies. Believing there is one type of comic book movie is like believing there's one type of tv show.

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Posted by Danielle Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:30pm PDT

i think it is a terrible name the naked brotheres band that is uck. get a grip pepole.

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Posted by DrewD Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:30pm PDT

the jo bros and the naked bros enough said about the latter and no one really likes the jo bros music who could

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Posted by DrewD Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:30pm PDT

the jo bros and the naked bros enough said about the latter and no one really likes the jo bros music who could

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Posted by chelsea Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:33pm PDT

jonas brothers are perfectly safe for your child to watch/ listen too its miley cyrus you should be concerned about sure most teenagers take pictures similar to wat miley cyrus took of herself but its different 4 her cuz shes suppose to be a role model and shes not doing a good job she teaching your 5 yr old girl to take nude/gross pictures of herself so.. if it were me i wouldnt let them watch her show watch wizards of waverly place selena gomez is a better role model and a better actress she was on barney! :)

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