Lines Vines And Trying Times [Enhanced]

First, I am not in the expected fan base for Jonas Brothers. Not by a long shot. However, their lyrics are clean and their hooks catchy and the boys aren't hard on the eyes; all of that has me won over before hearing anything else. In their new CD the songs aren't just catchy, they are flat out contagious. If I am not listening, I have found myself singing or humming the songs. I have to hand it to JB for maturing their sound in the right way. Most "boy bands" go on the extreme of "we're not kids anymore" when they try to branch out their sound. JB has done it right: writing relevant songs to their lives in a sophisticated and mature way. The band boasts a wider variety of instruments and the metaphorical writing suits them well. It's clear the guys will be around for a while and they and their fans won't be doomed to bubblegum for the duration.

Lines Vines and Trying Times is quite a growth from A Little Bit Longer and a complete 180 from It's About Time. The brothers really step it up with power pop numbers like Paranoid and Hey Baby and smooth ballads like Black Keys and Turn Right. The diversity on this album is admirable and a sophisticated departure from the teeny bopper tunes that is often associated with the Jonas Brothers.
Tracks:
World War III-a super fast paced tune that would feel at home on any pop/rock playlist
Paranoid - Embodies the boys' gift for scoring the perfect hook and a great first single. A real improvement from their last CD's first single, Burning Up
Fly With Me - Though it is a little sappy, it's amazingly catchy. Even for you older listeners.
Poison Ivy - Despite it's incredibly annoying lyrics that seem a bit repetitive at times, the music on this song is irresitable
Hey Baby - again, a great pop/rock song that would make a great single
Before the Storm - a bitter sweet duet with pop sensation Miley Cyrus. The vocals are great on this one as is the heartfelt lyrics
What Did I do To Your Heart - With a country feel, this song is a refreshing filler for teh album
Much Better - Despite it's obvious target (a direct hit at the heartbroken Taylor Swift), this song is a real winner with it's clear homage to the legendary Neil Diamond. One of the best songs they've recorded.
Black Keys - Great vocals and astounding lyrics. It's easy to forget a sixteen year old wrote them.
Don't Charge Me for the Crime - An interesting pop and rap medley. It's a good attempt, but the lyrics are not really believable coming from Disney's favorite squeaky clean poster boys
Turn Right - Easily one of the best songs that the Jonas Brothers have recorded. The music is clean and beautiful and the lyrics are unbelievably real and relatable
Don't Speak - I see this as another excellent single. Excellent hook, very catchy
Keep It Real - In case you were forgetting who you were listening to, this song will remind you that the Jonas Brothers are still kings of pop for young people

I am a recent Jonas Brothers Fan. I purchased this CD after a friend loaned it to me. I honestly didn't think I was going to like it as I figured the Jonas Brothers were for teeny-boppers only (I do not like teeny-bopper music!). Wow was I surprised at how great this CD is. It hooked me right away with the first track, which I think is one of the best tracks I've ever heard. This album is very mature in its lyrics, music, and sound and I can see how the group might alienate its younger fans who want their music to be less substantial and more bubble-gum. Hopefully people who initially weren't fans of the Jonas Brothers will give this CD a listen and be a recent convert- like me.