Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox: Say that 5 times fast!
Written: Jan 08 '03 (Updated Jan 10 '03)
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Pros: Versatile
Cons: Kids plus Microphones plus Britney Spears = Migraine
The Bottom Line: From the numerous features to the fun of singing with a microphone, the Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox is a practical, functional and fun item.
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| jenb123's Full Review: Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox |
When I was a little girl, I asked Santa for some reasonable gifts. One year I asked for Malibu Barbie, another year I asked for a Walkman and later I asked for a tape player. Now that I have two little girls of my own, I get to help email Santa with their wish lists. My older daughter's letter was especially entertaining, her requests were simple. Amanda asked for some Bratz dolls, but anticipating supply and demand issues, she offered St. Nick an alternative:
"If for some reason you can't get me any of the Bratz I asked for, I wouldn't mind the Barbie Karaoke Machine as a replacement..."
Times have changed, what's next? Rain checks in stockings? Santa now makes substitutions, and placed a Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox (also known as the Barbie Sing With Me Karaoke Machine) under the tree. Yes, a pink and lavender stereo overflowing with features...and flowers.
It slices, it dices...Where do I begin?
The Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox is compact, lightweight and has lots of bells and whistles including:
AC/DC switchable
20 track programmable CD player
AM/FM stereo radio
Cassette player/recorder
Real working microphone
Sing-A-Long song book
2 CDs
Each of the CDs include a selection of current pop hits and a few old classics. From Madonna to Judy Garland and Backstreet Boys to the Beatles, there are songs for kids and adults alike.
There are two versions of each song, one with vocals and one without, for singing along. While the songs are not versions by the original artists, there are ten "female top hits" on one CD, and ten "male artists" on the other:
FEMALE ARTISTS:
~Come On Over (All I Want Is You)
~The Way You Love Me
~Music
~Baby One More Time
~Oops!...I Did It Again
~Sometimes
~Stronger
~Believe
~Over the Rainbow
~Tomorrow
MALE ARTISTS:
~Everything You Want
~Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)
~I Wanna Know
~It's Gonna Be Me
~Bye Bye Bye
~I'll Be The One
~Shape Of My Heart
~Back At One
~I Wanna Hold Your Hand
~Twist & Shout
I was relieved to see that no tracks by Barbie and the Rockers were included. Fer shur, like gag me with a spoon.
But Wait!!! There's More!!!
The Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox comes with a one year limited warranty and runs either on eight "C" batteries (not included, of course) or by using the included AC adaptor, the cord IS included.
Not enough songs for karaoke fun? No problem, you can call The Karaoke Music Club at (800) 326-3062 X200 or online at www.karaokeclub.com/girls. Grab your credit card, it will cost you.
Karaoke for kids...
Both of my daughters seemed to enjoy singing along to their favorite Britney Spears and *NSYNC songs. I admit hearing my eight year old singing "I'm not that innocent..." is a bit disturbing, while hearing both girls "harmonizing" to Bye Bye Bye was kind of cute.
Once the novelty of singing along wore off, the girls were very happy to have a CD player in their bedroom. Amanda likes being able to use her headphones (not included) to drown out her little sister.
The Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox is light enough for a young child to carry easily and is simple to operate. It is portable enough to send, say, to grandma's for a concert.
Kids can even record their performances on tape to share with everyone.
Mom says...
My complaints are minor. Primarily, I think that the song books should be bigger and sturdier. They are small, folded pamphlets with rather small lettering. Amanda can easily read the lyrics, but I suspect the song books will be lost or torn before long.
The microphone isn't terribly effective, it does not amplify the child's singing very much. Maybe that's not a complaint as I don't mind that at all. In fact, the kids don't seem to consider it an issue either.
I did, however, find it odd that this item is part of the Barbie collection, the only "Barbie-ness" is in the signature Barbie logo.
Overall...
All things considered, I do recommend the Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox for it's versatility and ease of use. From the numerous features to the fun of singing with a microphone, it is a practical, functional and fun item.
Unlike other holiday gifts, I predict that the Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox won't soon be banished to the back of the closet.
* This review has been moved from its original location. My original review was listed as the Barbie Sing With Me Karaoke Machine. The picture listed at Epinions showed another version of the item. You'll notice that the Barbie website lists the Sing With Me Karaoke Machine with a picture of the item I reviewed:
http://www.barbie.com/catalog/catalog.asp?type=100005&subtype=100022&theme_id=100022
It seems that there is some confusion about this item, this item is known both as Barbie Sing With Me Karaoke Machine AND Barbie CD Radio Tape Recorder Karaoke Boombox, so I have moved this review here. You should double check with the store before buying this item to be sure you get the correct version of this item.
~Jen
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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jenb123
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Location: IL
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