Music CD Rubric
Use this rubric to make your evaluation of the CD and write a brief justification taken from examples in the songs/music as to why
you deem it so.
Title of CD: ________________________________Sick Puppies: Tri-Polar_______________________
Genre
Examples
Combination
Commentary
What is this particular
genre associated
with? Does the
listener expect the
music and/or lyrics to
“SAY” something?
Describe the CD
genre
Other Bands/Artists that fit this
genre
Is the music a combination
of genres – if so, how?
Alternative
The Airborne Toxic Event
All American Rejects
Everlast
Eve 6
Jet
Oasis
Yes, because it combines
genres such as grunge and
indie pop.
Packaging of
CD/Band/Artist
Traits associated with this
Genre of music (both
bands/artist and
fans/listeners)
Traits that are associated with
alternative music would be
that it is more mainstream
than the subgenres that it
formed from,
The genre of
alternative can be
associated with
guitars to pop music.
The listener might
expect the music
and/or lyrics to “say”
something, as for
what, it would vary
per person.
What does the CD look like? How many CDs have been released prior to this one? Who are the band members/artists?
Producer?
Specific Examples
-The CD is all black with three circles intertwined within each other, each circle is a white-ish color.
-Prior to this album, they released two albums. (Welcome to the Real World: 2001, Dressed Up as Life: 2007)
-Band members: - Shimon Moore
- Emma Anzai
- Mark Goodwin (one past member: Chris Mileski)
Origin: Sydney, Australia
Labels: Virgin/EMI Records
Mood of overall
CD
How does the music reflect a mood through make up of the instruments, its speed, its tone, etc.?
Specific Examples
The music reflects a kind of hard almost harsh mood. With the guitar and drums it makes a quick upbeat pace that has the
ability to snatch the listener’s attention and hold it. The tone of the lyrics changes with each song, however for a majority
of each song it is mostly evident that it’s a mood of dislike to whomever the song may be about or directed at.
Mood of
individual songs
Specific Examples
1. Street Fighter: The mood of this song is the kind of song that is upbeat and can get a person’s blood pumping. The
lyrics suggest that the “fighter” has had enough of whatever it is that has been going on and wants to “settle the
score” once and for all, with the confident mood that whomever he takes on he will come out on top.
2. I Hate You: The mood of “I Hate You” most effectively portrays a pure hatred for this person who is so close to
them in their life. Although at the same time, the lyrics also give a feeling of hating themselves for things that
they’ve done to the person.
3. Rip Tide: “Rip Tide” was the first single released off of this album, and the mood of the song is a self-justification
to basically the world. It says, I’m happy with my life, what I do with it, how I deal with it, and so on, if you have a
problem that’s fine.
4. You’re Going Down: The mood is harsh
5. Odd One: The mood of this song is basically uplifting.
6. So What I Lied: “So What I Lied” has a mood of whatever. An I don’t care type of feeling.
7. Survive:
8. Should’ve Known Better: The mood of “Should’ve Known Better” is very upbeat. Everything is very fast paced.
9. Maybe: This is one of their slower songs, also a single on the radio. The mood is slightly calming in the beginning
picking up a little pace during the chorus.
10. Don’t Walk Away:
11. Master of the Universe:
12. In It For Life:
13. White Balloons: The mood of this song is very uplifting. It only starts out with a guitar playing softly then becomes
heavier during the chorus, without being super harsh. It ends again in the soft solo guitar.
Lyrics
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Quality of the CD
What are some of the themes in significant songs on the CD? Some themes in the CD
Is there a plot to any of the songs? If so, describe one. There actually seems to be a plot for almost every song on
this album. (Refer to the mood, its described there for one or two of the songs.)
Literary quality of lyrics? Would the lyrics stand alone as a story/lesson/poem/etc.? In the case of White Balloons,
I think it might stand alone as a poem. The lyrics of that particular song speak to me on many levels.
Describe the quality of the music compared to other CDs from this band/artist or genre of music.
Would you recommend the CD – why/why not? I would recommend the CD to anyone who enjoys this genre of music and
is willing to sit down and really listen to the lyrics of the songs, because the lyrics over just the instrumentals tell a story.
What are strengths of the overall CD? I believe that for the most part, the strength of the CD would be the lyrics. Although,
for some songs, it would only be the music.
What are weaknesses? The weaknesses of the CD would have to be that one or two of the songs feels repetitive in nature.
Fight songs are always fantastic for upbeat, uplifting moods, but after a certain point you begin to question what exactly
you should be feeling while listening.