By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Everybody is weighing in on dirty and naughty lyrics these days and, since this column provides a venue for me to express my opinion, I want to weigh in too.

The person that has been associated with the brunt of the nasty lyrics charges is Eminem, and the critics are right. His album, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” is very graphic and explicit. Every song has a slew of curse words and insults and the themes are not what one could consider wholesome.

But that's not the point.

The point is that Eminem (a.k.a. Marshall Mathers) chooses to express himself that way. Some of you may like it and some of you may not, so you either buy the album or you don't.

All of the uproar recently centers on the fact that younger people are the core of Eminem's fans and they should not be subjected to the material. I agree. That is why there is a big, ugly sticker on the album, which states: “Parental Advisory.”

It is time to stop complaining to the newspapers and other forms of the media and discuss the material with your kids. If they have purchased an adult-themed album, like Eminem or Dr. Dre, discuss the content, state your concerns, confiscate the material and listen to it yourself. You may not find anything you like on there, but you might understand why your kids do.

When I was 12 years old, I purchased George Michael's album “Faith.” That album, in case you don't remember, contained the hit song, “I Want Your Sex.” Needless to say, when my parents heard me playing the album while I tried to defeat Super Mario Brothers, there was a discussion.

My parents asked why I liked the album: did I understand the lyrics, did I have any questions? They let me know that the material was a little racy and that there were certain things they wouldn't want me to do. I think the fact that they took the time and discussed the album with me made a big difference. It allowed me to talk with them about other music I started to listen to in the future.

I want to make it clear to those who might not know: the fact that there is a sticker on the album doesn't automatically make it as raunchy as Eminem's album. Your child might own a Rage Against The Machine album, which also bears the Parental Advisory sticker. The difference, though, is Rage's albums do not deal with violence towards women or drug usage; they try to raise a political awareness about situations around the world.

The same goes for the Beastie Boys, whose involvement with certain social causes has launched the Tibetan Freedom Concert. There may be some naughty lyrics on their albums, but your children might start thinking for themselves and developing opinions on something other than their favorite flavor of Pizza.

I also want to make it clear that I am not saying that because of dirty lyrics these artists are doing something worthwhile. Many bands don't use curse words and remain popular and entertaining. I am merely saying that bands that do use alternative vocabulary should not be demonized.

Here's an example using another medium. A coworker once said to me, “I'd never let my grandkids watch South Park.” (South Park is a show on Comedy Central that often uses adult content and graphic language). I told her, “Good. You're not supposed to let kids watch South Park.” The show clearly states before each episode that the material is not meant for young viewers and does contain adult material. It is never shown before 10 p.m. and more often than not is on after midnight.

The same rule should apply for music. If you see a sticker, don't let your younger children listen to it. If you say that you can't control everything they bring in the house, sneak around in their room when they are out some night. You are entitled, and you might be surprised.

But before you sneak around, try having a discussion. State your opinions and your concerns, lay down your ground rules and explain why they are what they are. You won't be able to prevent them from everything, but they will know that you care.

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