Why, yes. Yes, they did.
Pardon me if I can’t…contain…a little… YEA-YUH, BOYEEE(s)!!!
Ahem. I wanted to wait for a roundish representation of positive large outlet reviews (after having to discount the meh Village Voice piece – booo hiss) as A Little Bit Longer hits the shelves…and it didn’t take very long, did it?
Entertainment Weekly reprised last year’s grade of B+, though their language was far more effusive this time around (come on, we couldn’t have made it at least an A-?) and, perhaps more telling, Rolling Stone gave the album an astounding FOUR out of five stars. (I have told non-believers this, and their jaws dropped. Not in the hater way, either.)
I’ve never needed “expert” opinions to justify my love of the Guys. I have never been anything but supremely confident in their merits (at least since the first month or so of infatuation passed and I shook off any fears of temporary insanity). But official vindication tastes so sweet.
Both reviews have swung the gate open wide for curious adults, and all types, to begin appreciating the Boys on their true worth. Seems that two albums later…still…It’s About Time.
Some of my favorite moments from the reviews, after the jump. Post your own, your thoughts and criticisms, and links to any other reviews as they (inevitably) come through, in the next week or so!!!
Entertainment Weekly – MUSIC REVIEW:
Assuming each generation gets the teen idols it deserves, then today’s kids must have done something good — God knows what — to have merited the Jonas Brothers.
…
…the lads have also evolved into a pretty terrific little rock band with their third album, which would count as creditable from a combo of any age, much less one whose ostensible leader, Nick Jonas, is 15. A Little Bit Longer could be a significant generation-gap closer…
…
It’s a nice run of numbers that really gets going with ”Shelf,” an impassioned advisory not to leave the singers’ hearts in the titular location, and continues with ”Lovebug,” which starts off as a goofy acoustic hootenanny — almost in the style of the Beach Boys’ ”Barbara Ann” — before revving up the riffs and climaxing with some hard-rock howls. If these don’t convert Jonas-wary grown-ups, their Tiger Beat phobias may be terminal cases.
…
Several more upbeat numbers bear comely choruses that suggest they might have been conceived as ballads, but rather than simply indulge worshipful lasses who’d probably gladly sway their arms to goop, the boys can’t help but keep credibly rocking out. For that, Jonas Brothers, the parents of the world salute you…
Rolling Stone – ALBUM REVIEW:
History teaches us not to dismiss kiddie pop. … Purists disdain teenybopper music as cynical pap, foisted on the young by Svengalis who lurk in the shadows, counting money. But bubblegum can be a great farm system, honing skills that pay dividends in later life.
…
The Jonas Brothers are acting their dad’s age. The boys’ fantastic third album is steeped in the fuzzed-up guitars, three-part harmonies and cotton-candy choruses of Big Star and Cheap Trick. Power-pop die-hards awaiting the genre’s commercial saviors must reckon with the fact that the messiahs have arrived . . . and they’re a Disney boy band.
…
Overall, it’s a blast — as assured as any American rock album released in 2008. Kids, are you ready to share your Jonas CD with the ‘rents?
…Worth noting – not over-enthusiastic reviews, but at least respectful and with an ear on the (gasp) actual music: The (NJ) Star-Ledger’s -”The Jonas Brothers return with bouncy, catchy tunes” & Cleveland Plain Dealer -”Jonas Brothers devise more ways to drive girls crazy on A Little Bit Longer” by John Soeder – both of which make use of words like “infectious” and “disarming“!!
MORE REVIEWS!!
San Francisco Chronicle CD REVIEWS (decent)
[Via: Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly]
cpaig
mememoi
coolmom823
WDTFTW! Can’t wait for Tuesday!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T……….whoo-hoo!!!!!!!
I’m still bleary-eyed from watching as many MTV mini movies as I could today. To quote Tamar (MTV blogger girl) “…I laughed, I cried…” etc. FANTASTIC. Is there such a thing as too much Jonas in one day (weekend? week?) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Once the album comes out, http://www.metacritic.com is a great collective place to check out reviews.
Now, I have a question….how many editions of the album are being released? I think I read on here that the Best Buy edition will have an extra song. Are there any others like that? I pre-ordered the CDVU+ album through their Web site, but I want to buy another copy for my niece and I need to figure out what each retailer is offering.
That is a good question, tlatz…I have no idea!! I will have to do some research. I also pre-ordered, and will buy iTunes.
WDTFTW!
According to one of the MTV blog posts, (I can’t remember which one) there are already fans lining up outside NYC music stores in anticipation of the CD’s release. Tuesday is going to be INSANE!!!
Thank goodness the Boys put my copy in the mail on Friday!
The Rolling Stone review made me cry (I have doing that allot lately) but the last line – i just lost it – You are right Mememoi it IS about time!
I will definitely check out Metacritic!
WDTFTW! – W00T! W00T!
You’re killing me cpaig. DAMN I wish I’d paid the premium shipping when I pre-ordered! What’s really gonna hurt is having to wait to see all the CD-vu stuff.
tlatzotzontli,
I know the Wal-Mart version is coming with a bonus track called “Live To Party”!
Hey, tlatz…did a quick check. The special track is available on the Wal-Mart version…a 13th track called “Live to Party”. I totally just preordered that…and therefore will own the album THRICE. Sad. Hehe.
Based on the album wiki (not an exact science) the only other special version is what you get for ordering ahead of time through special online offers…video content, a compilation of the YouTube videos, etc. (I wonder how far back will they will go… )
…and Team Jonas claims we are getting special goodies as Premium Plus members…but I have no idea what this entails. One bit is not going to be ready until October, they say, because they want to get it just right.
(Hmmm…What could it be…JB logo fannypack? a timeshare on their new vacation home? A motorcycle with a sidecar?! a Snapple – hehe, cpaig?)
Decisions, decisions. I have a feeling I’ll be owning multiple copies too.
Thanks for the info!
Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle’s review. Of course, they get Nick’s age wrong (how does that happen?!) and they say some not-so-nice things, but they say some nice things too.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/10/PKB8123KBO.DTL
What do you think?
Ooh, thanks Amanda – I like it…I would throw it on the “guarded semi-approval” pile with the Star Ledger, Plain Dealer and, I suppose, the Village Voice, too. My favorite bits:
‘If anyone actually heard the first few Beatles albums without the filter of a thousand hormonal teenage girls, they probably never would have been given the chance to make “Revolver.”‘
(I like the fair Beatles comparison, though don’t agree that their music can’t withstand a close listen.)
‘Now if only the kids would shut up long enough to listen.’
Because, yes! They really should HEAR it. He also uses the word “surprising” in reference to their influences, and calls Joe’s vocals pleasant. So I call it a WIN!!!!
The music snobs/critics are going to fall like dominoes. Soon, they will be sorry they didn’t praise them before it was cooler to do so.
Definitely a Snapple Mememmoi. I will be so miffed if it is not a Snapple – LOL
(sorry stupid not even really a joke inside joke – we’re sisters, what do you want?)
Now I have to buy the Walmart version too DANGIT!
I’m seriously tempted to go to Wal-Mart at midnight on Monday, wonder how many people are going to do that? I would dearly love to have the extra song ‘Live To Party’. That would complete my ALBL collection to four, I believe. Can’t remember how many I pre-ordered. Bummer thing is, I’m working on Tuesday and I won’t be home when the mail comes! Waaaahh!
I know, RIGHT?! I am kind of hoping the mailman delivers my fanclub preorder on Monday (not impossible if it shipped on Friday, I figure?) but I will be out to dinner with my daughter’s paternal grandfather & stepgrandmother, therefore putting off any chance of unwrapping it – if it even arrives – excruciatingly. I will blame them for the inevitable, fatigued state in which I might walk through the door at work the next day.
I found the San Francisco Chronicle’s review particularly amusing because that was the same paper that had that really heinous review of the Burnin’ Up show!
This is a review of one of the MSG concerts that was in the New York Post.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08112008/news/columnists/i_was_tween_for_a_day_123955.htm
Pretty great, except for they confused Nick with Joe. I can’t understand why almost every review has wrong facts in it. It drives me insane.
Excellent, really interesting concert review (of Jones Beach rather than Madison Square Garden…odd?) – with some quite insightful things to say about the band, the music, and a little capsule album review tacked at the end. Check it out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/arts/music/11jona.html?ref=music
Fave quote:
And one for the “meh” column: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080811/LIVING/164600798
(See, we are fair and balanced!)
Another great one from newsday.com!
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/ny-etdrops5796760aug12a,0,822326.story
I didn’t like the New York Times review’s remark about Kevin being “a legacy admission – without the others, would he even be in a band?” Untrue, and unnecessary.
I have to agree, coolmom. It was a bit shocking to see even the NYT take that low-blow route.
The NYT said that?! Ew.
Just heard over at nickjonline that if you buy the CD at Target, you get the bonus track “Hello Goodbye” from the Target commercials. If this is true, there is another copy I have to have! How many bonus tracks can there be??!!
Hello Goodbye would be cool to have since it’s a Beatles song.
I bought the one from Team Jonas and the one from Walmart. I probably will get the Target one too.
Since I am saving so much $$$ not going to the concert (BOO HOO!) I can justify buying 3 CDs plus going to see the 3-D movie in February multiple times.
Ugh…I would totally buy that version as well…it comes down to the fact that, yes, a single track of their is worth $8 to me. Man, oh man. I have never had it this bad.
But I don’t see a mention of it on the sale page at Target.
And, USA Today weighs in:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2008-08-11-jonas-bros_N.htm
A couple of blips, but overall they loved it!
OK, ladies – help wish my CDs fast travel and godspeed in getting to me!
I’m tracking both of them. I live in south Florida. They both went US Mail.
The one from Team Jonas ($6 shipping) shipped Friday and as of 6:58 PM on Sunday it was in Maryland.
The one from Walmart ($2.94 shipping) shipped Saturday and as of tonight it was in Texas.
I’m betting on Team Jonas. We’ll see!
Well, here’s a reason I wish I lived in more of a ‘major’ city. I called Wal-Mart (really the only store that sells CDs that is open at midnight) to see if they would really have the CD available right at midnight. After having me on hold for 10 minutes, they told me they’re ‘not sure’ if it will be out at midnight.
Apparently the person who handles it was gone for the day. You mean to tell me they don’t know if there are BOXES of CDs that are to be released on 8-12 sitting in a back room somewhere?!
I might go anyway and just insist that they find me a copy. It’s ridiculous.
HA, flamom – we are of one mind.
But – I don’t even have tracking on my Team Jonas order!!!! DANG!
My WalMart is in TX too…argh.
But I’ll have my iTunes tracks at midnight, at least. Hopefully I’ll come home tomorrow evening to my Team Jonas pack…
Amanda – you should totally do it…they must have at least a box. Right?
I looked on Target.com and there is no track listing. But wikipedia still says “Hello Goodbye” will be on their version. So let’s hope!! At least it’s really inexpensive – 8.98 or something like that right now.
Target also has all the imports on their site though some are not available yet – interesting. Like the SOS single from the UK which I admit I am so tempted to get just because of the photo on the cover with Nick in the middle. Am I crazy?!
I resisted ordering it when I bought the “white” CD from Amazon UK … but I might crack now that Target.com is selling it …
ONE MORE confession!!!
I am hoping my MIL bought my son (who turned 5 yesterday!) the Disneymania 4 CD … because I don’t have “Yo Ho Ho” … yes I put it on his wish list. At least he loves the Disneymania records!
Flamom, that totally sounds like something I would do! Hehe. I don’t have “Yo-Ho-Ho” either. I’m in love with “Poor Unfortunate Souls” though.
So I just got off the phone with the 2nd Wal-Mart (we actually have SIX Wal-Marts within 45 min of each other). This one said he’s not sure either. He said, “Ya know, with CDs, sometimes we don’t get them until a couple of days AFTER they come out.” WHAT?? Then he turned around and said, “You can call at midnight to see if we got some.” What, the truck shows up at exactly midnight?! I’m really frustrated.
I know, I know, I can complete my album on iTunes at midnight, and when I get home from work tomorrow, I’m sure at least ONE of the copies I pre-ordered will be in my mailbox. But it’s not the same! I want to read the liner notes, put the CD in my computer and see all the extra stuff, etc. TONIGHT! Waaahh!
Thanks for letting me vent, ya’ll!
The Houston Chronicle loves them! Whoo!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/5937290.html
Yay @Houston!
The Detroit Free Press is more dismissive, if not totally.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080810/ENT04/808100336
(Go picket those offices, coolmom!)
Ok, mememoi, you caught me. I did read the Detroit review, but I’m only putting up the GOOD ones. Hehe.
Hehe, Amanda – I understand the impulse. But I am trying to reassure myself that even the more cutting criticisms seem more respectful of their fundamental excellence, this year!! No one’s denying it, on a basic level. All part of the VICTORY!
What is with the Rick Springfield reference? Excuse me?
Truth be told, Detroit Free Press writers are all bitter and angry. They are deeply threatned by anything positive and life-affirming. It’s the lousy winters and the fact that though we in Michigan have an East Coast time zone, weather and crime rates, we’re still in the Midwest.
mememoi is right, of course, while some may not like it, they are reviewing it. JB is a force to be reckoned with now, whatever anyone’s opinion of the music.
The LA Times, by the way is not amused.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-recordrack12-2008aug12,0,917678.story
This angry lady obviously has been turned off by the purity rings and the fact that JB admit to being religious. And there is yet another annoying Rick Springfield mention.
But whether Natalie likes it or not, JB isn’t going anywhere. They are in it for the long haul.
WDTFTW!
“I’ve done everything for you! You’ve done nothing for me!!!”
Ha ha, I liked Rick Springfield! I have to read how the JB compares to Rick Springfield. I sure hope they never wear jumpsuits EVER in their videos!
That LA Times review made my head spin…
…”illusion of personality”?…um, yeah, it’s not an illusion. And the feminist stereotype thing? *rolls eyes*
There are still a lot of reviewers who can’t make sense of the way the Boys make them feel so confused:
They’re too innocent, but they’re too jaded! Everything sounds the same, but it’s too eclectic!
I am going to have to invent a “Jonas Brothers Critical Review Drinking Game”, where you do a shot whenever the reviewer contradicts themselves. (I don’t really drink much these days…so maybe I will make it candy or something, LOL- either way, it’ll be a party!)
Some critics just seem so perplexed by the feelings they are having…
…It’s called LOVE and ENJOYMENT. Give in already. LOL.
WDTFTW.
BILLBOARD!!!!
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i78d3d905b45a67cfd654bcd8b8e292a5
Thoughts?
And this one – NICE:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jjfoxzujldse
(but it cracks me up that the first half of it is written as if it is looking back from 2020 or something.)
From Blender – EPIC! (Warning: Inscrutable Hipster Snark Within)
http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5253
Yes…it’s a rave. (Really!)
“Yes, the Jonases are squishy, vanilla and too sweet. But so is an ice-cream cone. And ice-cream cones are freakin’ delicious.”
Sigh. Crazy hipsters. *shakes head*
I just tried posting something but it didn’t go through. Odd.
Anyway…
LOL @ mememoi’s drinking game idea.
AllMusic is one of my favorite sources for music reviews. I knew they would BB Good to the boys. (pun intended)
This is my favorite line from the Blender review- “They venerate family (JoBros before hos!) and don’t tolerate manipulation.” “JoBros before hos!” sooo funny.
MetaCritic is slowly compiling reviews.
http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/jonasbrothers/littlebitlonger?q=jonas%20brothers
Ooh, thanks for that. I think we should all go review it on metacritic ourselves!
Another meh from the Vancouver Sun
Read it to the end, there is begrudging praise after all the fretting about overproduction and marketing:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=4b5668e2-b764-437e-b3d0-4a84ab489560
Toronto Star – (very BLAH, oh come ON, Canada):
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/476560
Express Night Out (I have no idea what kind of publication this is, but OK…and it’s an interesting review, as well.):
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/08/cd_review_the_jonas_brothers_a_little_bi.php
A couple of the others on Metacritic are HARSH…hope they get them all soon. It will be interesting to see their cumulative average.
The Hartford Courant has a good review, from a MAN no less!
http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/hc-albums0812.artaug12,0,1540910.story
Reviewers in Canada are angry and bitter for the same reasons as the reviewers in Michigan. Lousy weather, something that makes you feel good MUST be suspect.
I liked the piece on allmusic, though the look back in time was clever.
More (ugh, qualified) praise!
http://www.cinemablend.com/music/Are-You-Ready-For-Jonas-Mania-11707.html
Boston Herald:
http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view/2008_08_11_JONAS_BROTHERS/srvc=home&position=also
(Good!)
More man-praise! From Detroit! (Maybe he just moved to town, coolmom?):
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/ENT04/808120315
And NewYork mag’s Vulture blog:
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/08/are_the_jonas_brothers_better.html
Thank you Adam Graham! But I really shouldn’t be surprised, the Detroit News is MUCH more fun-loving than the Detroit Free Press. They actually like something occasionally and don’t always have a stick up their . . .well you get the picture.
The Vulture cracked me up: “Actually kind of awesome.” And some of the comments are a hoot.
Hey, I just went and commented The Vulture. Check me out!
TWO, count them, REALLY good reviews!! Both from guys!
http://www.mlive.com/grpress/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/08/new_recordings_you_can_listen.html
From the Grand Rapids Press, clearly they are much more enlightened on the western side of the state.
It’s filled with great quotes: “young Sting & The Police” and saying Burnin’ Up sounded like “Joe Jackson and Barry Gordy had been involved.” VERY COOL
And this:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/ENTERTAIN/808140305
This 28-yr old guy in the Times Herald-Record actually calls himself a fan!
And still more guys are seeing the light. It MUST be a new world order!
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/2008/08/13/20080813cdspinjonasbrothers.html
This is from the newspaper in my Home State, I’m proud to say.
WDTFTW!
*Verklempt!*
Finally, Canada!
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=d87ac8b2-a29c-4e19-a41b-3040e35a8cc3
Entertainment Weekly:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20217621,00.html
My favorite quote?
For that, Jonas Brothers, the parents of the world salute you…and, possibly, secretly burn copies of their daughters’ CDs to play on their way to work. B+
BAH – Jonasphobes fight back…
http://www.dailycal.org/article/102258
(Oh, btw that’s just a UC Berkeley student paper.)
Decent, from Montreal: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=3eccacfe-ac92-45e2-baf5-1906eebedecc
Nice (a little dismissive initially, but whatever) mention in the Boston Globe.
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/08/15/jonas_brothers_bring_power_pop/
She didn’t like Can’t Have You (crazy, but to each her own), but the last sentence in the review is GREAT!
Yay, another rave from…some small outlet/blog:
http://waldo.villagesoup.com/Blogs/story.cfm?storyID=124656
Qualified, but not dismissive from the London, Ontario Free Press. Interesting track by track comments, also.
http://www.lfreepress.ca/newsstand-Today/music/2008/08/16/6471651-sun.html
This guy seems perplexed by JB’s diversity. Just go with it honey, that’s what makes them great!
Sorry, that link in 63 is wrong. Here is that right one.
lfpress.ca/newsstand-Today/music/2008/08/16/6471651-sun.html
TIME!
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1834680,00.html