As I twittered earlier this week, against all good sense, I didn’t completely hate the new Jonas Brothers album Lines, Vines and Trying Times. What might come as a greater surprise to listeners, I actually listened to the whole thing front to back!
Some background; I’ve tried once before to listen to the Jonas Brothers. Their last album A Little Bit Longer was part of an Album A Day that was aborted after I couldn’t get more than 5 tracks in without feeling slightly nauseous. So I came in expecting the worst for the new album and was actually kind of surprised. Underneath the Disney Channel-approved demeanor and prettyboy smirks, the Jonas Brothers are rock stars.
“World War III” opens the album with a brassy punch and the all-too-tame snarl of leader Joe Jonas (at least I think that’s the right one…like I really pay that much attention). That snarl is simultaneously the most promising and most frustrating aspect of the band. In this song and across the album, that attitude is where the trio’s rockstar style pokes it’s head out from the family-friendly lyrics and attitude. In a couple years when the oldest brother turns 30 and the band escapes the iron grasp of the Disney-owned Hollywood Records, the Jonas Brothers could be a genuinely exciting band to see. And yet, all too often that swagger and style gets coated in sugar and spit-shined, undermining everything that the Jonas Brothers might one day be. There’s an almost Aerosmith-esque quality to Lines, Vines and Trying Times. It’s easy to imagine the band’s eyes rolling during “Poison Ivy” as they crunch the guitars at the end of the line “Everybody gets the itch / Everybody hates that”. At the same time, the country-twinged duet “After the Storm” with fellow walking piggy bank Miley Cyrus overcomes the album’s running stigma of less than stellar lyrics and grows into a charming moment. Again, there’s plenty to like on the album; even the tailor-made-for-radio single “Paranoid” and “Fly With Me” aren’t so terribly cheesy that it spoils the rest of the listening experience.
If there’s something to be disliked on Lines, Vines and Trying Times, it’s a mere function of the band’s continued existence as a family-friendly act. I certainly don’t mean to suggest that the Jonas Brothers’ personal decisions and religious background are a hindrance. Instead, the obstacles exist beyond the artistic levels. I think that given a chance to go it on their own, this would have been a heavier, darker record. Not that they would have become Nickelback overnight, but some of the shine might have had some dirt kicked over it. These songs take on heartbreak and real-life struggles the same way The Hills depicts real life in California. Which is to say, barely. The Jonas Brothers lyrics and outlook on life are still painted through the lens of a life few would complain about. With a couple years, a few more struggles, and some true heartbreak, the Jonas Brothers might come back with a fire previously unseen or heard by fans.
Final Score: 6.1/10
Jonas Brothers – Poison Ivy [iTunes] (YSI)
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I know this isn’t a “yay, Jonas Brothers” review, but as a JB fan…ok, superfan/blogger *blush*….I’d like to thank you for it – for recognizing the positive aspects and great potential of the band. It’s indeed a big part of what makes them so compelling to those of us who are fans and aren’t brainless teenyboppers (not totally anyway), and why I am fully on the bandwagon following their pretty astonishing career even though I get flack for it.
(P.S. They are already exciting to see live, in the full range of environments…always better than than their records, which tend towards the overproduced…there are the family/cheese elements on occasion, esp. with the requirements of an arena – but they are worth it for the energy.)
Anyway, thanks for the good read.
If I could give this album, 6 out of 5 stars I would! The Jonas Brothers took such a risk with this album, and they pulled it off so well; with only one song sounding like their old stuff (in a good way, poison ivy). However, they are SO UNDERATED I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS! I’m only 12, and I been what everyone can call a “tweeny fan”… but I LOVE their new sound, and trust me I have loved every previous song EVER so not dissing their boy band pop sound before. However, they did SO well, and I think that these boys will go far: their next album I am predicting to pretty much contrast their 2007 album Jonas brothers, but I LOVE it how they are working with their new sound. I love you Jobros, still another crazed fan, but also LOVE your new album, and say congrats for pulling something this huge off. Here is what I thought of each song in my least fave at the top, to most fave at the bottom.
Don’t charge me for the crime: I mean, that is probably my least favourite Jonas Brothers song they’ve ever recorded, but I’ve never hated or disliked a Jonas Brothers song (and I’m also including their first album It’s about time, and nicks solo album when he was little). I’m not a rap fan… but it’s alright.
World War III: Totally expected something different to come from nick, but I liked it a lot! Not my fave, actually my second last fave off the album, but who said I didn’t it? Very intense, can imagine nick in his little leather jacket and sunnies with guitar singing this.
What did I do to your heart: Very cute, kind of country… catchy… reminded me off Taylor Swift lol, but I like this song a lot
Third last fave off the album, but still good.
Before the storm: I like this song a lot, and I’m SO glad they got back together to do a song, but I was a little disappointed with the song, and expected a more I dunno, emotional and a song that really sticks to you. It didn’t do that, but I still like it heaps, and it’s really nice.
Poison Ivy: Without this song on the album, it would be lost; THANKYOU jobros for putting something that sounded like your old stuff on it. It was awesome, and the bad lyrics just MAKE IT!!! I just laughed when I heard it, and I LOVE it. Lol tissues, tears, everyone gets the itch…. ROFL-WORTHY LYRICS. Without this song on the album, I think there would be a hole in it… it was so original Jonas brothers, and I loved it. Not my fave, but just made the album with its infectious beat.
_________________ < The line represents where I start to FALL IN SERIOUS LOVE WITH songs.
Turn right: Ahh, so beautiful, it is like hello beautiful, and is very sweet and kind of makes you relax after all the horns, heavy guitar…guitarness… and drums etc. Love this song
Keep it real: Is JUST like a live to party for lines vines and trying times, but my mum claims it copied some old disco song. LOL I must admit it is like a remake for it, but I love it, so upbeat and awesome.
Paranoid: OMJ it is so catchy, and I voted for it every night at my local radio station, and is kind of half-old Jonas brothers, but with a little new sound.
So awesome, so random… LOVE IT! Great choice as the first single, and is a fab music video. 
Fly with me: Aww, so SWEET! ILY Fly with me, very, VERY cute song. Fell in love with it when I saw night at the museum (snore) 2… The only part I loved was you guys, the rest of the movie… zzz.
Don't Speak: STARTING TO get into the new sound, and I fell in love with the chorus the most, so… ahh it is just SO worth a listen cos it clings to you long after you listened to the chorus. The rest is all right, but the chorus is just… I dunno. Also loved the beginning.
Hey Baby: NEW SOUND ALERT! I LOVED IT SO MUCH, listening to it now, such a GREAT SONG, took such a risk, and PULLED IT OFF 110%! Amazing and catchy, it has got this awesome jazz/rock sound, and I HEART IT! Rofl, so awesome, love the chorus the most, I congratulate them for such an AWESOME song
Tiebreaker of favourite songs:
Black keys: I CRIED WHEN I LISTENED TO THIS. It is like the a little bit longer of this album, and it is beautiful! Lyrics are so touching, and once again, nick has written such a beautiful song.
"The black keys have never looked so beautiful, and a perfect rainbow never seemed so dull."
^ The whole song has gorgeous lyrics, and touches your heart, not as much as a little bit longer did to me and my eyes… (hem hem.), but is my tied favourite, words cannot describe how much this song just… ahh listen to it everyone! Nick has such a song-writing gift, and I love him. :')
In addition, ….
MUCH BETTER: OMFJ! JONAS BROTHERS YOU PULLED OFF THIS AMAZING 70'S DISCO/ROCK/AWESOMENESS SONG (ESPECIALLY YOU JOE… for singing it and smashing Taylor (cough cough…) that is ONE OF THE BEST FRICKEN SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD! One of the best JoBros songs; I'm telling you that they did SO well with creating this AMAZING new thing, and ahh… such a great song, tied with black keys.
Rock on JoBros!
I hope they one day shed their Disney shell, and go out into the world to show that they are not some ridiculously overrated boy band, but amazingly talented and sweet guys who have some of the biggest hearts and song writing ability out there. The Jonas Brothers, I'm so proud of them for what they have done, and I SO enjoyed writing this while listening to the songs.
ILY JOBROS!!!
From another patient with OJD (obsessive Jonas disorder)
Love from Olivia. x