As promised!  Chatting away in the comments of the post about our “fanxieties” (or lack thereof), we found ourselves talking a bit about how much we wish some of our favorite unheard Jonas Brothers songs would see the light of day, but instead they seem to get left a bit in the dust, for whatever reasons.

So we thought now might be a good time to exercise our old listmaking muscles (remember these?) and dream up our ideal ‘Best of the Jonas Brothers’ album.

It may seem somewhat early in their career to do such a thing, but they have proven to be a fast-moving entity.  It’s About Time, Jonas Brothers, A Little Bit Longer & Lines, Vines & Trying Times. Four solid albums in four years is more than many groups of a more seasoned vintage can boast, and leaves us with many songs to choose from!!

And with the pervasive feeling that the band is going through a shift – hopefully ultimately an evolution – with Nick working on side material, and Kevin discussing possibly radical, “scary” changes for a future album, maybe this is exactly the right moment to take this set of albums into consideration for a Best of, Volume 1, of sorts.

So, just for fun, what would you put on your Best of?

Organize it however you want, but try to span all of the Jonas Brothers albums you know, and hit YOUR key moments in 10-12 tracks.  If you like, include your most-wanted, rare or never-released bonus material.  Explain your objective (just showing your favorites, or picking the songs you think would convince even the haters) and your reasons for each track pick.

Sound good?  OK. Have fun!  I know we will, reading.  (And making our own.)

[Via: Image from Polyvore user ♔ashley♥joejonas♔]

Once upon a time, I spent a few posts indulging myself in “Handwringers“, taking a moment to reflect on something or other that seemed to be awry in the JB career or fandom.  Obviously, as a Jonas Brothers fan, I am just about as interested as anyfan in their every personal and work move…but a lot of what has attracted me about my fan experience has been the opportunity to watch the life of the band evolve from early stages, and for me that is especially considering what happens with their fanbase, management, or reception with the critics & nonfan public.

With two and a half years of JB fan experience behind me (and many more ahead, if I have anything to say about it), I can say without reservation that it has been a rollercoaster, and that is part of the thrill.  There’s no growth without the occasional struggle, with ups and downs. I think that goes for the fans as well as the artists. It’s almost like a *real* relationship, isn’t it?

Anyway, I’d be a blockhead to ignore that the Fan Family wasn’t Experiencing some dysfunction, at the moment. Take to the jump for an update on the relevant new activities of one of our co-bloggers, and an open forum to express, vent, whatever.

Speaking for myself only*, I’d say that in the graph of my fandom, I am in a trough. A bit disenchanted. I know it’s not just me. I don’t think it’s terminal. But justified or not, bad juju is out there in discomforting parallel with some serious (and well-deserved) exhilaration for some of the fanbase, and I think it would be weird to ignore it. Especially as the co-founder of a blog largely about fan-feelings. (And equally inappropriate to vent it in a topical post.)  So here we are.  If you’re experiencing it too, be reassured that you’re not a traitor.  If not, trust me that I envy you!  (N.B.: If I didn’t love them…I would not be spending my Sunday morning coffeetime this way.)

So, Coolmom – who for almost a year has been supplying us with some great performance reviews, critiques and creative essays, has established her own footprint in the blogosphere!  Her first post is inspired by this feeling of “fanxiety” some JB fans are experiencing right now.  If you have an open mind to reading a critical/negative (depending on your POV) take on fandom, please check out her thoughtful first post.  I personally think it’s worth a read, even if you wholesale disagree with her. Here’s a taste:

I was not ever only a Nick-fan, a Joe-fan, or a Kevin-fan.  Moreover, as much as I acknowledge finding the eldest brother the cutest to look at, I was a staunch believer in the true beauty of their collective mystique.  What they were, together, is what drew me into such a passionate interest in their music and themselves.  However, I was obviously deluding myself that they would continue to be satisfied to be forever entwined.  They are growing up, and pulling away from their immediate family, as all young people do.  It just so happens that their immediate family encompasses something that is extremely important to me and of which I am extremely loath to let go. [Read the rest on "Coolmom Goes to the Show"]

Care to lend your thoughts and ideas related to the issues of the moment as Coolmom sees them?

Got tips for how you deal with the uncomfortable feelings that come with change?

Got something else on your mind?

Readership choice…have at it. (With the respect & sensitivity you always show, please!)

*Important note: Cpaig does not necessarily agree with me.  While she feels somewhat in a JB “lull”, she does not feel anxious about the future of the band, and is excited about impending projects.  So, not any more anxious than she ever feels while waiting to know when her next JB show will be!

Hmm…

[Now with minty-fresh, reassuring-ier updates from 11/16-17/09!]

Nothin’ processed yet. Not sure what to think yet, but…

See Paragraph Eleven in this link for Mama J’s mention of a possibly pending Nick J solo project.

…And sorry if the large question mark alarmed anyone! LOL. Was going for “fast & flippant” not “gloom & doom”!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!

And like a beautifully executed sports maneuver of some kind (sorry not sports-oriented enough to flesh that one out), People Magazine is picking up the chattering, convulsive pieces of the fandom, and beyond, and piecing things together…thanks to this MySpace post from the fellas themselves:

WE ARE NOT BREAKING UP

Hey everyone!

#1 – The Jonas Brothers are NOT breaking up!

#2 – Nick Jonas IS working on a side project called

Nick Jonas & The Administration

#3 – This project will be released early in 2010

#4 – We are ALL excited about this project AND what we are doing TOGETHER!

#5 – We plan to make music together for as long as we can.

To our dearest fans,

A news story hit the internet today concerning Nick Jonas & The Administration. We are so excited to share it with you…OUR FANS.

From Nick:

About 6 months ago, the three of us had a 2 week break from touring, and we all decided to go and do something that was on our hearts.  Joe went on a trip to Australia and New Zealand.  Kevin spent some time with his fiancé Danielle.  I decided to go to Nashville, TN to make a side project (Nick Jonas & The Administration) with 4 musicians – guys that I had met and worked with before.  If I was to describe the sound to someone… I would say its “heart & soul”, because the music that I make is from my heart, and the lyrics I write are from my soul.

We’ve said from the beginning of our career as the Jonas Brothers that anything we do outside of the group is a side project because you can’t break up brothers.  My brothers are my biggest supporters, and were on the phone with me every day while I was in the studio asking how it was going, and telling me they couldn’t wait to hear the record.

My brothers and I couldn’t be more excited to have these amazing opportunities as a group, and as individuals. We are already planning another world tour AS THE JONAS BROTHERS next summer, and it is all thanks to our amazing fans.

I am so excited to share more details about my project with all of you as we come closer to the end of the year, but for right now, Kevin, Joe and I have a show to play in Venezuela!

From Joe and Kevin:

We are so proud of our brother Nick.  We know that we will be doing music together for the rest of our lives. But we are thrilled for you to hear these songs that were on his heart.  They are amazing works of art from an amazing talent…our brother. We will see you later this year, next year, and hopefully for the rest of our lives.

“A three chord strand is not easily broken”, and one thing’s for sure… this three chord strand is stronger now than it’s ever been.

You are truly the best fans in the world, and we love you with all our hearts.

JB

Kevin, Joe and Nick

Well played, my beloveds.

NOV  ‘09 UPDATES:

The first clip of Nick’s new song leaked on November 16th,along with a release date for the first single – December 3rd, and the album, which is dropping in February. Here’s the clip:

Accompanying this is a bit of PR via USAToday late on November 17th.  Check it out here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-11-12-nick-jonas_N.htm …

Now.Again.

…We want to know what YOU think! Discuss!

[Via: JonasPhotos.org]

Not to downplay his many other admirable qualities, but I’d have to be in deep denial not to be able to see that Joe Jonas has some seriously fascinating HURR.

I don’t think it’s shallow to say so, it’s a simple fact.

Because of the recent watershed moment in Joseph’s hair evolution, I think now is a good time as any to hop aboard the rollercoaster ride of Joe’s notable hairstyles since the JoeHawk…take to the jump and reminisce, mourn, celebrate, regret and/or praise in the comments!!

[And please also forgive the inclusion of at least one unauthorized pap shot...necessary evil to include my favorite shot of the JoeHawk Nouveau...]

Press play on this only vaguely appropriate tune and enjoy!

And last but not least, a side by side of Joe’s earliest haircut as a public figure, and his latest…he’s come a long way, baby.

Don’t you think? :}

[Via: JonasPhotos.org]

P.S.  Please post any of your favorite Joe hair photos in the comments!!!

P.P.S. As far as I know, Mike Tyson did not give Joe his current trim.

Posted in Da Newz, Styling Tagged: HAIR, Hairstyles, Joe Jonas ]]> http://siblingrevelry.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/joevolution-stylin/feed/ 31 mememoi JoesHurrTitle JoesHurrNow&Then http://siblingrevelry.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/so-here-goes-the-jonas-brothers-don%e2%80%99t-deserve-your-scorn-heroes/ http://siblingrevelry.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/so-here-goes-the-jonas-brothers-don%e2%80%99t-deserve-your-scorn-heroes/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:51:06 +0000 mememoi http://siblingrevelry.wordpress.com/?p=7740 ]]>

[Yes - I know that you, our readers, don't need this admonition, but please bear with me here...]

Ah, not since Chris Willman stuck his neck out have I had the pleasure of reading such a fun piece of enthusiastic journalistic praise of the Jonas boys. It’s a true treat in advance of our trip to see the guys put on the last of their 3 performances at the Mohegan Sun this weekend.

This is the kind of article that inspires me as a fan - as sexist as it may be to rely mostly upon male, ostensibly heterosexual writers to ignite those embers of hope I harbor – that the future might hold a world of respect and mass appreciation for the Jonases* – I can’t deny that they do just that, I can’t help it.  These writers can’t so easily be pushed back with accusations of sentimentality and tides of feminine approval that any reasonable woman can’t deny, when confronted with the Boys.

Male music critics with an open mind and an evenhanded sense of musical history are the best media friends the Jonas Brothers could hope for -  they are the most defensible beacon against the Jim DeRogatises of the world, and for that, we as superfans gotta honor them for helping us fight the good fight of supporting a great, young band. So…

Do rush over to read Chris Arnott’s article from today’s New Haven Advocate, “A Jones for the Jonas Brothers:In Defense of Lines, Vines and Trying Times”.

And come back and let us know what your favorite parts of his piece are…mine has got to be this little gem – and I say this as a Cheap Trick appreciator:

Even Kevin, Joe and Nick’s most fervent detractors have to admit that, with several albums under their belts, the worst or sappiest tracks the Jonas Brothers have yet unleashed don’t begin to sink to the depths of cloying commercial desperation and clichéd metal-balladry that the most revered act in the Power Pop firmament, Cheap Trick, did at the same point in their long career. Yeah, I said it; Jonas Brothers’ worst is better than a bunch of Cheap Trick.

Heeheehee. Marvelous.  And there’s more. Thanks, Mr. Arnott!

*[Does it "matter" to have widespread public understanding? Well, no.  Is it kind of awesome?  Um, yes, very.]

[Via: STAN BEHAL, Sun Media c/o Toronto Sun (photo)]

Now this is a Sibling Revelry first!

A CONTEST!

You heard that right, a CONTEST!

The Build-A-Bear Workshop folks were nice enough to provide us with a lovingly crafted JONAS dog for us to give away to one lucky blog reader! THAT MEANS (one of) YOU!*

Take to the jump to learn how to enter to win your very own JONAS puppy dog (dog-tag included)!

*What did we get for presenting this promotion? Well, full disclosure, we got a free JONAS puppy for our little LBF. She loves him (he is even much cuter/softer/sweeter than I imagined!) and has named him Furray…like “Murray”, but with an “F”.

Awww…. how can you resist that face? Face it, you can’t.

This guy – and other Build-a-Bear wonderfulness – are available online here (such adorable accessories) or at your nearest location.  In case you don’t snag one from us, you’ll know where to find them.

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment answering the following question:

“What is your favorite quote from JONAS so far?” Please also cite the name of the episode.

Rules:

• Only one entry per person. (As far as we’ll count, feel free to comment otherwise, we’ll just count you once for your efforts!)
• Contest ends Friday, October 2, 2009 at 8PM EST.
• The winner will be selected by drawing on Saturday, October 3, 2009.
• Winner will be contacted via e-mail.
• Your puppy will be shipped to you directly from Build-A-Bear Workshop, to wherever in the world you may be (OK, might have to double check on that one – but we’ll make it work if this issue presents itself).
• MM, LBF, and I are not eligible to win (obviously).

OK – go to town and get your chance to be a winnah and get yourself a precious piece of JONAS to cuddle – for free, free, FREE!

Announcing our illustrious victor (and also the way we picked her!)…

Congrats,  DaniLyn85!!!

(Check your email, or email us if you haven’t seen it…)

[Via: JonasPhotos.org, Build-A-Bear Workshop]

Well here we are, we knew the day was coming.  One of our (and most definitely MY) favorite teen idols is no longer a teen himself. What else can I say that I haven’t said before but, Joe Jonas, you’re the MOST!!

It’s a big milestone, putting one’s teen years in the rearview (I’m just gearing up to put my twenties in the same place *gulp*).  So to celebrate this momentous occasion, I have cobbled together a little musical tour of just what it all means, this crossing of the threshold into twentyishness.

Jump!

I decided to look into who was making aged-20-themed tunes out there. And to be sure, it’s hard to find what must be the experience of being a Jonas at twenty well-captured in song…but we’ll leave that craft to Joe himself, I think (I’m sure they could come up with a wonderfully universal take on the idea). In the meantime, here’s how some others are dealing musically with being in their twenties. Each song is literally named “Twentysomething” – the first four that came up when it was searched on YouTube – thanks to the draw of lazy YouTube conceits.

Clearly not a guaranteed easy row to hoe, Joe.  Brace for it.  [For the record: I had never heard of any of these people before making this post, expect varying results.]

A Finnish, Smiths-emulating “Twentysomething” by Supperheads:

Moral: The twenties might be the new status-quo-paranoid adolescence? Hmmm.

A Hip Hop “Twenty Something” by Chase Phoenix [1 F-bomb WARNING!]

Moral: Fame & fortune is on the to-do list for many in their twenties & well…OK, Joe can probably go ahead and cross that one off, ahead of the game here.

Those tracks were fine-to-iffy…these last two I like the most:

A Corrs-lite-y Canadian Poppy “Twentysomething” by Dala:

Moral: Being a twentysomething is the same beautiful struggle as the rest of it. No?

I really quite like that last one!! And last but not least…

A Jazzy, popular Englishman’s “Twentysomething” by Jamie Cullum:

Moral: For starters…Joe should count himself lucky to have so far saved himself the trouble of a useless BA in this economy…?

Not bad, not bad. That Mr. Cullum is ubercharming.

OK then, all well and good, all this introspection and…whatnot.

But really, Joe has plenty of time ahead to worry (and write) about this whole twentysomething-finding-yourself thing, I think.

So in fact, there’s really only one song truly called for under the circumstances, if we just want Joe to have a joyous, funky birthday (course we do):

It’s really the LEAST we can do…it’s been another backbreaking Jonas year in which Joe has not only met all our expectations and the challenges but has surpassed & appeared to thrive under them, making us feel like the luckiest/smartest/most discerning superfans around.  Here’s hoping he feels the same way about himself and does the day up right!!

WOO-HOO!

(With Love, from Sibling Revelry)

[Via: Rolling Stone; jpkoivuranta (YouTube); alexisondrugs13 (YouTube); chiproth (YouTube); marcsilverdirector (YouTube)]

Today, Joe (&  Co.) took to the streets of San Antonio for a 5k run with a few friends…well, likely in the hundreds (thousands?)…for his Joe Jonas iWin Fun Run* , a fund-and-awareness-raising event intended to benefit  the Special Olympics organization, which is Joe’s current championed cause under their Change for the Children Foundation initiatives. (*You can donate to the org at that link!)

Every time the Jonases make that extra effort to give back – whether it be on a local/global/fanbase level, loudly or quietly, formally or informally – it really is such a win for all involved – including us, as fans. I’m sure they deeply enjoy the difference they are able to make, and we fans get to feel that surge of fanpride and inspiration that hooked us on these guys in the first place.

Videos and fan reminiscences, after the jump!

When I read the first announcement about the Fun Run, I was immediately reminded of a YouTube video I saw a very long time ago, during the Marvelous Party tour, back when they used to call various audience members on stage to rock the tambourine during a song (was it “Still in Love With You”?  I wish I could remember…).  Sweet little girls took the stage, a grandma who reassured them she needed no earplugs because she couldn’t hear that well to begin with.  But one occasion really stood out to me…a young guy with Down Syndrome was the guest that day, and he stood next to Joe and had a blast keeping time alongside him on the tiny open-air stage, to the thrill of the crowd.  When the song wound down, Joe hit the final beat and opened his arms for a hug but the boy was still wound up and kept going, dancing and playing, for a few long moments.  Joe seemed tickled by this upstaging, and cheered the boy on, and when he was ready, they gave each other a huge bear hug full of genuine warmth.  It was sweet, and more strikingly it was a clearly heartfelt moment between the two…and that was a watershed Joe/Jonas Brothers moment for me.  I wish I knew where to find that video, it would have been a great flashback for this post.  But alas – I came up emptyhanded when I looked for it…it’s been a while since I thought of it.

In any case, it is a good memory, but it makes me even happier to see Joe continuing to use his unique enthusiasm and easy, open manner to bring awareness to an important organization and cause.  That’s great leadership, and I hope Jonas fans truly take it to heart and appreciate the behavior (more important than the tank top) he is modeling.

Be sure to check out a whole slideshow of the run!  If they ever do another, closer to us, we will be sure to go out and support.

Here’s Joe inviting everyone to come out and run with him prior to the event…

…and his quick appearance on Good Morning America this morning, talking about the event and patiently enduring a few oddball comments lobbed from the always colorful GMA team.

Joe, like his brothers, makes it look almost too easy to be a person of kindness (and talent)…it’s tempting to take it for granted.  Let’s not – they’re rare, indeed!

[Via: My San Antonio; SpecialOlympicsHQ (YouTube); elizarocks32 (YouTube)]

ACK – SO EXCITING!!

What we have here is further evidence of a Jonas Brothers publicity strategy on the upswing.  Whoever is making the outreach decisions with the Boys these days is really starting to show a recognition of what makes these guys one of the awesomest young bands in ages. (HINT: It’s really NOT their pretty faces.)

As many of us already know, the Jonas boys got the opportunity to be guest editors for the music section of Time Out New York – a weekly magazine dedicated to helping young New Yorkers sort the wheat from the chaff among NYC goings on.  It’s a pretty indispensable magazine that falls into the hands of college students (and well beyond) all over the metro area. Awesome.

So not only was this a very cool chance for them to gain some exposure with demos that largely doubt them – the resulting pieces so far released are REALLY WELL done.  The tone is near perfect, I think…it is not cutting them too much slack in the areas in which they often get criticized,or fawning over them inordinately, or trying to force them to feign some esoteric attitudes that would be ridiculous given their age and station (and noted hectic schedule).  But what it does do is more apt and exciting: it lets them show off their honest savvy, humility, intelligence and taste, and it leaves ample room for the uninitiated to start practicing a skill that will come in handy in future years: learning to understand and respect the real depth and potential of the Jonas Brothers.

Bonus points for the timing (and complicity?) that aligns their  headline with recent rumors [JB BreakupGate 2009, anyone?].

{OH! And massive squees for Joe recommending Wilco as the concert to check out this week…considering I’m going to see them – one of my favorite bands in college – myself on this very evening! Ah, he’s PERFECT, I swoon. }

There are plenty of photos and other goodies accompanying this fantastic article available at the site,  HERE.

But perhaps more exciting, you can order all of the 4 cover versions (and get a poster along with it) as a special collector’s edition set, right here, right NOW!

I’ll post some favorites in the next couple of days, and then some, when I get my hard copy!

Let us know in the comments, what is your favorite bit?

[Via: Time Out New York]

Brilliant brilliance from John Taylor & Greg Garbowsky via JB’s YouTube, making like kindly “JBTV” hosts on a search for the ultimate ping-pong opponent for Nick…but who essentially descend from the heavens to whisk a handful of lucky Canadian fans off to spend some pre-concert recreational time with their idols…

(I think the girl’s expression above pretty much sums up at least the inner reaction of any of us at the prospect…yes/no?)

JT & Garbo coast along under the radar for a bit, until they find the perfect gang of fans, and once the jig is up…the rest is a bit of Jonas history.

(And I can’t imagine they’ll be able to pull this off again…but you never know!)

This is great work, guys.  I.laughed.so.hard!!!

Video & screencappy goodness after the jump…

JBTV: [Needs a Good Tag Line]…

CHOICE MOMENTS:

Nice stand-up, fellas! So pro.

(Afraid to surmise what this mom is thinking!)

I’m thinking they just explained to this kid [wish I could spell his name but I got nothin'] what was about to happen. 0_o

GAME ON.

Win some, lose some…

[NB: Joe J rockin' a Michael Jackson t-shirt in the back...that's right!]

Eh. This time…? Everybody wins.

[Via: JonasBrothers (YouTube)]