What I Did For Love. [Watch]

I watched the ENTIRE American Idol Finale for 2:47 of bliss. Being that I am not a fan of American Idol, this was a bit of a stretch for me. I just think it is a little corny. If you love it, more power to you.

The first half was definitely more painful for me than the second half (being that the Boys appeared at 8:59 on the button) because I didn’t know when they were going to perform. To make matters worse, since all of the other stars were performing in some way with this or that Idol, I was not sure how the set would play out.

Were they made to perform with an Idol?
Were they made to perform on top of a Ford car while Mike Meyers played Guitar Hero with Bryan Adams?

Find out after the jump (also the 2008 American Idol)

Kudos! [Newz]

SO GRATIFYING - the majority of reviews of the Boys’ recent performances are not only positive, but becoming less and less reluctant and/or backhanded about it. This even from the kings and queens of snark at Idolator and THE New York (freakin’) Times! Enjoy:

JON CARAMANICA of The New York Times:

Slickly choreographed and arranged, Zootopia thrilled in inverse proportion to the age of its performers — beginning loudly with the Jonas Brothers (average age: 18), dulling in the middle with a reunited New Kids on the Block (average age: 38 ) and finishing, amid a sea of shrieks, with Ms. Cyrus (age: 15).

Conveniently, the youngest performers were also the ablest. The Jonas Brothers, who play instruments and sing as a full-service boy band, veered from loose-limbed rock (“Hold On”) to intense balladry (“When You Look Me in the Eyes”). They were a model of precision.

MAURA JOHNSTON of Idolator on Zootopia:

Speaking of the JBs, they played a tight little set that was something of an improvement of what I saw during their Jingle Ball appearance in December—not only could I actually hear the music through the discrete screeches of young ladies thanks to my relocating to a conveniently located breezeway midway through their set, the band sounded pretty tight, and [Joe] Jonas’ stage-presence quotient has gone through the roof, with his white pants and purple sweater making me wonder if he’s started taking notes on Gabe Saporta’s crowd-working strategies.

RICK MASSIMO of the Providence Journal on the KISS show:

The Jonas Brothers made a bigger impression on the teen girls in my section at least, and it was hard not to wonder what would become of them in a few years. There’s nothing harsher than the backlash against an aging teen-pop act — The New Kids could tell them that — and some of the sillier Jonas material (such as “Year 3000”) is ripe for ridicule. But there were solid pop hooks in “That’s Just the Way We Roll” and “Hold On,” which bode well for the group’s eventual staying power.

Something tells me doing these communal shows where their skill and professionalism are held up against so many other performers has been something of a lucky critical break for them. Baby steps!

Hope you’re proud, fellas!!!

Some video proof of what the fuss was about after the jump!

Kevin Took Off His Vest. Where Are My Smelling Salts? [Look]

Hopefully you got a chance to catch the JB live stream from the KISS Concert tonight because the show was amazing! I don’t know why I enjoy watching live streamed performances so much, but I do.

Other than a few glitches (Nick’s mic wasn’t loud enough for a bit, Cascada’s overly monumental intro started for a second during their performance, and Nick got hit in the head with a beach ball) all was good and they put on particularly great performances of That’s Just the Way We Roll, Goodnight and Goodbye, and WYLMITE. Thank you KISS 108 FM in Boston for the live stream of the KISS Concert and the subsequent backstage interview (which was not earth shattering - though Nick is clearly getting sick of the purity ring question).

See a vid of them performing Year 3000 here!

This is the Boys’ last US show before they set off to take Europe by storm as they tour with Avril Lavigne. Bon Voyage, Boys!

Lots more pics of the KISS Concert after the jump!

Top of the Pops [Newz]

Their brand of hopped-up power pop had the best hooks and melodies of this largely dreary night…

Thus spake the otherwise-uninspired New York Daily News’ music critic Jim Farber on the Zootopia main stage concert from Saturday night. It’s the big show put on by massive station Z100 out of New York City, and another notch on the Boys’ recent Top-40-radio-event belt.

What is it about praise that takes a swipe at others, that makes it that much sweeter? Sigh. I feel guilty about that, since I like some of the other artists, but whatever - the Boys are #1! Haha! And it needs to be recognized.

I’m so proud of them - especially considering they have more personal creative involvement in the composition of their music than many of the acts that shared their stage last night. Other performers throughout rest of said night included: Miley Cyrus, Sara Bareilles, Simple Plan, Gavin DeGraw, Ferras, OneRepublic, Jordin Sparks and the New Kids on the Block. Push Play played the parking lot with Miley Cyrus’ brother’s band, MetroStation (ooh, burn - hehe, oh I’m just kidding).

If you’re superfast, catch them still on the radio circuit tonight (Sunday, May 18 ) in Boston at 6pm - streaming live here!

More photos (and a link to video) from Zootopia, after the jump!

El Mariachi Loco [Watch]

Our buddy Zeon gave us a link to his blog where he has some awesome vids of the Boys appearing on “Los 10+ Pedidos” on MTV Latin America from 4.17.08. They are great and show interviews, games, dancing, music videos, and in-studio performances of SOS and WYLMITE.

As you can see the Boys had some funtimes, and Joe danced El Mariachi Loco as a penalty when Kevin missed his free throw. See for yourself after the jump.

Muchas gracias Zeon!

Interstitial Joy [Watch]

Tonight marked the premiere of Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, an episodic documentary on The Disney Channel. The 5 minute interstitial episodes will air now until the end of summer.

The first episode revolves around the Jonas family preparing to head out on the LMITE tour. We get to see them go on a photo shoot, which is a convenient plug for Camp Rock (this is the Disney Channel, so no shock there), planning tour wardrobe, packing, and helping out their parents at home. Nick narrates the episode.

I found it to be very charming and wholly enjoyable. We get formally introduced to their stylist Michelle Tomaszewski, a peek into their very normal looking home, and a very brief glimpse into life with Frankie (doing a little robot/dance above).

Check out the clip after the jump…

Dance Off!! [Flashback]

Cutting it close with this one, I know, but as Cpaig mentioned, I kinda have a decent excuse.

With this flashback I bring you an epic battle dance - not against Hanson - just one of my favorite moments from last summer’s small “prom theme” shows, when brother turned against brother (I have no idea what prompted this) and Joe & Kevin had an impromptu dance off at the Alameda County Fair. It is hilarious. After the jump, take a look, and reflect upon the Boys’ standout move-busting.

Just a Short Visit [Awesome]

Mememoi and I are absolutely giddy, as we have just returned from a trip to see the Boys in concert. It was awesome.

I took the above pic (and even some video - I know, I am such a hypocrite) from an area near our seats where we settled in. I know they look a little like Minipops, but we were a bit closer than it looks - you can see the boys in the band in the back there awash in pink light, Nick is on the left (Nick-side) wearing a crisp white shirt and bow tie, Joe is in the middle wearing a gray shirt and white tie, singin’ his heart out, and Kevin is rocking in a shirt, vest and some awesome shoes (OK, I can’t actually see them, but I am sure they are awesome).

More details after the jump.

So everyone can take note take note. [Read]

New York Magazine’s Vulture Blog is making excuses to talk about the Boys again!

In an overview of 10 sets of “good kids” populating the entertainment industry these days, here’s what they have to say (or click the pic for a larger view):

Who: The Jonas Brothers: Kevin, 20; Joe, 18; Nick, 15
Disney Affiliation: Albums on Disney’s Hollywood Records; guest-starred in Hannah Montana; appeared in the movie Camp Rock.
Religious Affiliation: Christian
Goody-Goody Bona Fides: Purity rings symbolize commitment to virginity until marriage; donate 10 percent of earnings to Nickelodeon charity. [Wrong! See below - Ed.]
Great Shame: Joe was photographed holding hands with Chelsea Staub in March, forcing him to deny romantic involvement.
Potential for Corruption: Low. These boys will likely lead us into a brave new tomorrow!

Like a lot of journalists lately, New York’s writers misinterpreted a previously published statement that the Boys donate 10% of their earnings “to Nick’s foundation” as meaning a foundation belonging to Nickelodeon Studios. Um, no - for the record, what the Boys donate to is the Change for the Children Foundation, started by Nick Jonas some years ago. (Another lesson not to believe everything you read word for word, especially blogs.)

Anyhoot - ain’t nothing wrong with a Goody Two Shoes (yes, the post title is a lyric from this retro gem).

[Via: NYMag Vulture Blog]

Boys in the Trees! [Look]

I came across this photo today in an awesome slide show on Teen Vogue’s website. It instantly made me think of this pic…(after the jump)