Is The New Single From The Jonas Brothers Actually, Uh, Pretty OK?

By Pete Freedman Tue., May 26 2009 at 10:08 AM

Categories: Video

So, Westlake's own JoBros debuted the video for their new single, "Paranoid," from the upcoming Lines, Vines and Trying Times album (due out June 16; set your calendars) on Myspace this weekend, and, well, that's it above.

Call me crazy, but I'm kinda digging the tempered, synthed-up style. At the very least, it's a major step up for the Les Brosephs Jonas. And that's not even debatable, I don't think.

(By the way, that sound you hear is the sweet woosh of me losing any and all credibility, so let's move on quickly, OK?)

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Jonas Brothers, upcoming releases, video

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Dawn some more Yoko, I can sum up what i was saying by this, Good music is not an opinion, it's an awarteness. and I am serious about all of it. Join the revolution in arts. New century new everything.
Tom, it just dawned on me that all that stuff you've been saying is being delivered tongue in cheek. I was way overthinking this thing. I mean you have to be joking right? The entire reason music is "good" is because you like it. There isn't a "weight" assigned to music, if there were perhaps you could say, "Just because you like a song doesn't mean it's heavy, simply based on the fact that when the song is weighed it only comes in at 67.9 lbs. and we all know the defining value for a heavy song is 89.lbs. If you like "bad" music, it becomes good music. Take Grand Funk Railroad for instance. I have nothing to go with that, I just want you to take them for instance. While you're doing that, look back over what Pete had siad about the song. I don't think he called it art, oh sure he's claimed lot's of things before, supposedly he's slept with Joan Collin's in 95, but he did not say the Jo-Bro's were art. Because, ya know, they aren't. The ass of Joan Collins on the other hand...
I think you are missing the point. Who you love and who is talented are not necessarily the same. And for you to be clear or to talk clearly about music, you need to separate the two. There is a real world of talent out there. Jonas Brothers may be musicians you love, but they are not in the highest talented innovative group. Do you see the difference? Pete seems to love this video. But he's suggesting that beyond his opinion it is somehow great art. It is not. I like bad music too sometimes, specially if the girl is cute or sexy. (I'll even give credit to mainstream corporate music in the rare chance it gets it right like Feist's one song). But I also know that just because I like bad music sometimes doesn't mean it;s good music. And I can tell you it won't make the world's first and toughest list. See the difference? When you review music, which I do, you need to be very precise and clear in separating the two.
Yoko's Stepchild, you're my hero. And to Tom: Who says I can't love the Jonas Brothers AND independent music and whatever the hell I want to love? Because I happen to do just that, and tend more indie. I can't say I disagree with you on many counts when it comes to corporate music. I happen to find the Jonas Brothers an exception, having seen them live from a young age. Real deal.
i love gershwin AND kraftwerk. :) .. well just the classical/jazz fusion stuff...
One additional thing... I see in your awards, you put Feist's, 1,2,3,4 as a winner. Be careful with all that "How about you supporting indies instead of the coke and pepsi music? How about being less of a corporate zombie" talk there big guy...Just because "the man" is wearing a pair of chucks and an ironic t-shirt doesn't make him any less of "the man" Or were you a "fan" before the commercial? Into Broken Social Scene? I'm just sayin, relax man, good music is in FACT an opinion and NOT an awareness. Ask my mom, she loves Gershwin and cannot stand Kraftwerk.
I don't recall apologizing. Simply due to the fact that it's not mine to apologize for. I cannot apologize for someone elses action(art-eyes rolling with you on that), nor can I take credit for it. I suppose that's the rub..I'm not offended by this stuff. I just change the channel or refuse to buy it. To those who do dig it? Hey, let em, it's a free world. Looking at music as "safe" and "dangerous" strikes me as some kind of construct to "feel avant garde" While I'm sure chicks who dig John Cage think you're dreamy, it's just not, to me anyway, the best way to divide music camps. Complaining about what 12 yr old girls listen to, is again crazy. By the way, I'm sure someone in 66 who waxed poetic about actually sitting in "City Lights" and having coffee, probably stated that that the song on the radio called "Girl" by The Beatles, kind of sounds ok, for a little kid band. Who knows...It really doesn't matter. Too much effort put in this already... Here's some pop brilliance smothered in "The Little Girls Get it" gravy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hYpAYWqiwo
Yoko's Stepchild. Your apology for bad corporate art does not move me much. Artists don't usually have a BUSINESS card. Why put up with generic music when the world is so full of great stuff. Here's 200 musicians you probably haven't heard - all with a better song than this one from the Jonas Brothers. Most of them would be considered POP or contemporary. http://musea.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/100-plus-best-music-from-youtube-and-myspace/ I encourage you to stop apologizing for bad music and start looking more at what is out there. Why this settling for the spoon fed generic junk of 4 giant record co's. How about you supporting indies instead of the coke and pepsi music? How about being less of a corporate zombie? Talk about being safe? Going with Jonas Brothers is ultra safe - what could be more safe in music? Pop music should be as good as Beethoven. Why settle for less? How do you think that feels for musicians who aren't trying to scam anyone, but actually playing well. Musicians that aren't a marketing scheme. Here's a minute of pop as good as Beethoven. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sumVS5rJero&feature=channel_page So Yoko, why aren't you complaining?
Tom, you view yourself as an "artist" let it go, you need to be what should be on your business card. "guy whose girlfriend thinks is an artist" Once you come to grips with the reality of the situation you may find yourself listening to music and actually enjoying it, instead of listening to it and getting angry that you're not signed and being interviewed by Tape-Op. It's Pop, it's not for you, it can still stand on it's on merits. Don't get angry lil camper, write another song about how it makes you feel or paint a picture, or even better comment on a blog...cuz, you're an "artist"...Either way you're safe, you and your friends will always have stuff to complain about, and at the same time feel superior. You're set for life.
wow.. I just want the Jonas Brothers to spray foam in my face! BAY-BAY!! OH YEYAH! My gyney just tingled.
Oops...apologies for the doublepost!
Oh, give me a break, Tom. It's a completely different era now in every way. Maybe the revolutionary act is being a credible band trying to keep their head above water in a crowded market while working for a soulless corporation? As far as I can tell, these kids have been doing more honest things as a band than many generic indie rockers I watch trying way too hard to innovate. There's more to "art" than simply not being marketed (or pretending not to be). If a band's point of pride is to never have their music heard, more power to them, but chances are they aren't worth the attention, anyway. History might say the Beatles would have more respect for group like themselves - savvy, rabid self-marketers who stay true to themselves instead of trying to be cool. Anyway - I agree, this new song is really good. I've liked the Jonases all along - for what they are: teen pop musicians with a lot of potential. I am glad they look to be proving my admiration right. If they are losing steam with the kid & teen market (as some say they are), it's a compliment, for sure.
Oh, give me a break, Tom. It's a completely different era now in every way. Maybe the revolutionary act is being a credible band trying to keep their head above water in a crowded market while working for a soulless corporation? As far as I can tell, these kids have been doing more honest things as a band than many generic indie rockers I watch trying way too hard to innovate. There's more to "art" than simply not being marketed (or pretending not to be). If a band's point of pride is to never have their music heard, more power to them, but chances are they aren't worth the attention, anyway. History might say the Beatles would have more respect for group like themselves - savvy, rabid self-marketers who stay true to themselves instead of trying to be cool. Anyway - I agree, this new song is really good. I've liked the Jonases all along - for what they are: teen pop musicians with a lot of potential. I am glad they look to be proving my admiration right. If they are losing steam with the kid & teen market (as some say they are), it's a compliment, for sure.
ya know, they only live in Westlake because it's a strategic location from which they can conquer the universe. we don't have to claim them as one of our own.
Beatles were pop music. So maybe it's time to heavy down.
Although I didn't dislike their past music, I must admit that I liked this news sound much better. I like the use of Nick's now-lower voice. I think they are moving in the right direction. I thought that the video went along with the song very well. I don't think this will appeal to the 5-10 year old group as much but as a the parent of a 5-10 year old, it appealed to me more.
Uhm, Tom... We're talking about pop music here; it's all ear candy. So maybe lighten up, umkay?
Being an art revolutionary is no easy job. You think you are talking to people who understand the basics, that good music is not an opinion but an awareness. Sure you expect people to oppose something they don't understand, or because it is too big to get the grasp of (all arts and media) or they favor conservative music, or support the bankrupt corporate controlled art, or they don't see the dangers of advertising and how it unfairly hurts great art, But you do expect the media to be at least somewhat mindful of reason and fairness in what they cover - IF they claim to be fair in what they cover. Unless the Observer has specifically stated that they are a pawn of corporate art, and filler for advertisements, and coward on anything new until someone else tells them to; then I expect more fair and reasoned analysis of this generic rock video.