Fraternal trio must work for Mmmbopping status

It’s About Time Jonas Brothers Columbia Records

out of

… It’s About Time Jonas Brothers Columbia Records out of

Rocks like: Hanson, Jesse McCartney

Radio Disney fans, you’re in luck. The Jonas Brothers’ It’s About Time will have you screaming “Nick, I Love You!” in no time. With its pop-punkiness appeal and the cute-as-a-button trio of boys, it’s right up the Lizzie McGuire-type’s alley.

But if you’re above the age of 14, stay far, far away.

The brothers, Kevin (17), who plays guitar and sings backup vocals, Joseph (16) and Nicholas (13), who share lead vocals, have been compared to the likes of Taylor Hanson and Stevie Wonder.

It’s About Time follows the themes of young love and the passing of time.

From the very first yowl of “oh” to the very last “fly,” “Time For Me To Fly” bears a striking resemblance to the early, MMMBoppin’ days of the power-pop trio Hanson. It’s upbeat and touches on following the brothers’ dream in the music industry, from working hard and playing music together to trying their hand at making it to the top of the charts.

Probably the cheesiest and most childish, futile tune ever created, “Year 3000” is a remake of the UK power-pop band Busted’s 2004 hit. Less provocative, but still with the terrible quality of the original version, it’s more than skip-able: Consider yourself lucky if you can make it through the whole track.

The best song by far out of the initial bunch, “One Day at a Time” actually proves the Jonas brothers’ potential. The lyrics, though, are frustrating. They sound like a meaningless junior high conversation: “Friday I got out of bed/Tried to smile, frowned instead/Burnt some toast for breakfast/I still miss you.”

Focusing on the album’s theme of time and different aspects of it are both “6 Minutes” and “7:05.” The former is about the sparks of emotion you get when first meeting someone you’re attracted to, while the latter reminds us how the time and place of a breakup is permanently etched in your brain.

Props to the rocker-like title of “Mandy,” even if it does follow no real pattern or rhythm – the chorus being the only exception, as the boys carry a decent beat.

“You Just Don’t Know It,” while still juvenile lyrically (“I go on and on/Singing this song about you/And that’s what’s wrong with this song”), provides genuinely progressive harmonies and attests to the boys’ talent.

Fast rhythms, winning vocals and hints of acoustic guitar combine for the two most heartfelt tracks, “Underdog” and “Please Be Mine.” Unlike the other songs, the vocals and lyrics don’t sound forced and are simply taken for what they are – a kid’s voice that hasn’t quite yet hit puberty singing about puppy-dog love.

For being so young, it’s hard to grasp how the Jonas brothers could be singing with any ounce of experience in the love department. So what are they drawing on? From the sounds of it, just a little push from the profit-hungry corporate music industry.

Although slightly torturous to listen to, the market for It’s About Time must be kept in perspective. Have no fear, tweeny-bopper girls in search of a new celebrity boy crush: This one’s for you.

At times the wails get a little too waily and the lyrics are downright pathetic, but It’s About Time proves a fine first effort. With any luck, the Jonas brothers, not unlike Hanson, will grow up to prove everyone’s one-hit-wonder assumptions wrong and establish their mature, genuine musical growth and talent. Go out, buy the album and give it to your little sister. She will be forever grateful.