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 enlarge | Artist: Jonas Brothers
Label: Hollywood Records
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $5.52
You Save: $13.46 (71%)
New (52) Used (20) Collectible (2) from $4.46
Rating:  102 reviews
Sales Rank: 144
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 000194412
UPC: 050087121587
EAN: 0050087121587
ASIN: B001AJVR5M
Release Date: August 12, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 102
As Much As I Really Tried To Hate It... I Give Props Where Props Are Deserved August 19, 2008
Musac Critic
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
I'll be the first to tell you I hate schmaltzy pop music. As a pre-teen/teen, I'll admit I had a boy-band phase (N*Sync, Backstreet Boys), but it didn't last long. Since then, I have denounced a majority of music by younger artists (cruel I know), because I've felt it lacks true staying power in the industry. When a band like the Jonas Brothers comes along and plays like a new Hanson, I have to play against it. Honestly, it isn't that hard. The band is a squeaky clean Christian outfit (thought they don't perform Christian music) with looks making all tween girls swoon. They are the perfect package for Disney. No way could Disney have went wrong with this group. However, with songs like "S.O.S." or "Year 3000", I can't say that I, being in my twenty-one years of age was impressed. Sure, I didn't expect a 15, 17, and 20 year old to talk about "booty" or about casual sex, but still, "Year 3000"? When the brothers released single "When You Look Me In The Eyes", I did look up a bit, considering it was reminiscent of Aerosmith's turn on "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing". Still, that wasn't enough.
"Burnin' Up" came on the radio, and at first, I was ready to write it off as more "schmaltz" from the "schmalziest" teen act of them all. However, after The Jonas Brothers landed The Rolling Stone cover and a couple of high profile 4-star reviews, I decided to purchase and objectively listen to A LITTLE BIT LONGER. Sure, there is still some "schmaltz", but honestly, this album is strong, on all cylinders.
The Jonases are able to maintain their squeaky clean image, though there is evidence of maturation on the tunes featured on A LITTLE BIT LONGER, that hasn't graced previous tunes. Sure "Video Girl" is a bit "schmaltzy", even that song has an element of "reality" to it that didn't exist before. The album opens with "BB Good", a tongue -in-cheek track that should sound extremely corny, but sounds 100% authentic. No it's not the second coming by any means, but it does sound "relevant" and worthwhile. Maybe it's one of those really corny songs that is so corny that it is enjoyable. I don't know but "I likes". Track number two, "Burnin' Up" annoyed the [bleep] out of me for the longest time, but as I continued to listen and stopped being a subjective listener, I realized that the Jonas Brothers were brilliant. Not only for the fact that "Burnin' Up" was a strong track, but by the way the band promotes their music. Not only are the Jonases taking over "the world", they know exactly how to market themselves. "Burnin' Up" was the right first single and has tore up the radio airwaves. Why? It's incredibly catchy, sort of cheesy, incredibly innocent, and the type of pop that you can't escape. Another homerun for Kevin, Joe, and Nick.
"Shelf" isn't quite as strong as "BB Good" or "Burnin' Up", but it is consistent and yet another enjoyable listen from the pop wanderkids. "One Man Show" nearly "steals the show" from A LITTLE BIT LONGER's signature track "Burnin' Up". The guitars here are sick and the overall production and songwriting is exceptional. Another factor that should be praised about the brothers is that they know how to make songs short and to the point - so many times today, songs go on for way too long. As a songwriter myself, sometimes I tend to be longwinded; the brothers have the right idea.
"Lovebug" finds the Brothers on top once again in one of the best of A LITTLE BIT LONGER. "Tonight" continues a streak of consistency, as does " Can't Have You" and "Video Girl". "Video Girl" was a bit cheesy for me when I heard it the first time, but it grew on me. Aside from the lyrics themselves, the production and music for "Video Girl" is unobjectionable in every way. Forget the lyrics, The Jonas Brothers have fantastic musical taste. From what I've heard, fans can think Nick for the bulk of the songwriting. Way to "take the lead" Nick.
"Pushin' Me Away" isn't my favorite, but it is satisfying. "Sorry" picks up lost momentum and shows how well the Brothers pull off balladry (think "When You Look Me In The Eyes"). "Got Me Going Crazy" has a certain dance quality to it, perhaps it's the beat. It is catchy as anything else on A LITTLE BIT LONGER. Finale track "A Little Bit Longer" isn't monumental, but it is solid by all means, which makes for an album that is consistent throughout it's entire 40 minute duration.
This album isn't flawless, though it is an album that deserves much more praise than criticism. The production is great, and even the adolescent vocals of Nick and Joe are incredibly strong throughout the album (though they do sometimes wear on me). The smartest thing about the brothers is the way they promote and present themselves. They seem so innocent, and while innocence doesn't sell well like it used to, it has worked incredibly well for the platinum brothers. I mean, how many bands with members that are evangelical Christians do well, not to mention teen bands who where purity rings? Hollywood records has a commercial, yet talented-commercial monster on their hands with the Jonas Brothers. Kudos. 4 stars for marketing/packaging, if for nothing else.
 Great Songwriting, Bad Vocals August 21, 2008
Jeffaplus (CA, USA)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
I want to like the Jonas Brothers. Really, I do. In fact, I was fully expecting to, given that I can't seem to get enough of Miley Cyrus, High School Musical, and the whole Disney scene in general. And honestly, it's incredibly impressive that they've had such a hand in the songwriting on this album. They're very worthy of their fame, to be sure.
It's just that I can NOT stand their voices at all. What should be incredibly good songs are ruined by their whiny falsettos, nasally vocal lines and their tendency to make those little high gasping noises at the end of each phrase. It's incredibly distracting and not at all attractive to the ears, at least not mine. Apparently I'm a minority in that regard.
Really, if someone were to release a cover version of this entire album I would probably love it. The writing and the instrumentals in the actual songs are great. If only it was some other group singing the vocals.
 Yeah that's right, I gave your CD one star. September 8, 2008
Denzel Lockheart (Edmonton, Canada)
7 out of 16 found this review helpful
There's a reason why a lot of people hate this trash. The only people who like these talentless Nancy-boys are popular is because of the 10 year old girls who think "OMG Nick Jonas iz oooooo soooo sexii!!!! LAWRL!!!!!!!!!!". Ugh. I have to deal with those girls every day at my school. These guys can't even sing, they always force and strain their voices to the point where it's unbearable. Guitar work is simple and uninspired it can't be considered guitar work. Drums are pretty good, nothing special. Lyrics are dumb, they're all the same. Oh, and not to mention, I saw them on So You Think You Can Dance and they were AWFUL. They were struggling to hit the notes and those notes weren't even that high. Hell, even K-Fed is more talented. Could you imagine if any Jo-Bros songs had ended up on the "greatest songs of all time" chart...? I think I'll shut up and go listen to some Iron Maiden now, "Be Quick or Be Dead" is a song I can listen to for hours on end...
Not enough vocal talent September 12, 2008
Eric Smith (Pittsburgh, PA)
6 out of 21 found this review helpful
Both the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus (yes, hilary duff too) suffer from weak vocals. I'm sorry but I can't stand their voices. They can barely sing and yet they have thousands of fans. I don't even think they're attractive. At least Vanessa Hudgens is attractive. I couldn't finish listening to this album it's so bad. The lead single "Burning Up" is just horrrible. Sorry for hating on the Jonas Brothers but the truth needs to be said!
Emo For Tweens. Twee-mo? August 18, 2008
jeffrey christian (brooklyn ny)
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
No use in attempting to comprehend the masses - it's a moot exercise and only gets you grief. All one can do is try to understand the appeal of three pimply-faced, goofy-looking, over-emotional, tin-eared, tone-deaf Jesus freak brothers currently taking the tween world like a gale storm. Well, we can start with the songs ~ frothy, wanting (rarely in their lyrics do the brothers break someone's heart, lest they send their fan base to the medicine cabinets), cliched beyond repair. As musicians they mmm-bop along competent enough as many a teen in their bedroom - or on YouTube - do, unseasoned and self-conscious. As singers, they make Hanson sound like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, yelping and bleating to the squeals of the pre-menstrual millions.
The rampant Hanson comparisons are inequitable. Save for "MMM Bop" (a power pop dream come true that unfortunately jettisoned the brothers to the land of the One Hit Wonders), Taylor and his brothers are more aware of their aesthete than the JBs have yet to, or perhaps ever will. They're milking it for all its worth, and it is worth multi-millions. They're no fools; they're the luckiest kids on earth. Save for Miley. Heh, maybe Jesus DOES save. My grade: C+
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