A parent review of the tween sensation known as…

JONAS BROTHERS
LINES, VINES AND TRYING TIMES
By Vicki Nix

Every generation has its new breed of the pre-teen rock-n-roll artists. The latest release of Lines, Vines and Trying Times by the Jonas brothers proves that they have developed significant staying power. Before this Disney hyped band of clean cut, Stepford sons came in a blur of Teen Beat and Sixteen magazine covers, Debbie Gibson and Hanson were tugging at the heart strings and comforting the misunderstood pre-teens.

As a parent of an adult child and a tween, I can see this train and the track upon which it rides and can really enjoy the journey! The brothers are building on the traditions set out long before they took their first breath. They fill an important gap between nursery rhymes and rock-n-roll.

This fourth album allows the boys to relate to the adolescent growth of their audience. The lyrics attempt to go deeper into the struggles of developing a tween’s identity, whether it be gangsta with “Don’t Charge me for the Crime” or romantic by comparing a crumbling relationship to “World War III.”

The addition of the strings and horns to produce the orchestra sounds take the boys to a more mature and less teeny-bop sound, but it may be a little pre-mature for their vocals. They take on the “she done me wrong” and “racetrack called life” lyrics like seasoned veterans of more rides around the sun than they’ve had. This latest release fills the metaphorical gap between kiddy songs and true rock. The older rock fan can listen and appreciate the journey without the pain and agony of the true kid song ping-pong that required the car seat and earbuds for the back seat just a few years ago. The Jonas Brothers allow our screaming tweens the next step in the search of their identity with with strong beats, catchy lyrics and stealth-like parental approval.