Lines, Vines and Trying Times (by Jonas Brothers, Adult Contemporary)

common sense media says

JoBros enter mature territory but keep it clean and catchy.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive role models
  • 40% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this album delves into problems with romantic relationships, the boys keep things mostly light and fun. And unlike a lot of music targeted at the adolescent market, this is one CD that parents should find easy to listen to again and again.

Positive messages: Although many of the songs discuss relationship problems and arguments, the Jonas Brothers usually are portrayed as the good guys trying to extinguish the drama. The song "Don't Charge Me for the Crime" is about getting caught up unwittingly in illegal activity.
Violence: Although "Don't Charge Me for the Crime" is about a non-specific robbery being committed with the Brothers implicated as accomplices to the crime, the song talks about how someone could end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and end up a criminal without making the choice to break the law.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "Paranoid" references anti-anxiety medication.

More on Lines, Vines and Trying Times

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the appeal of the Jonas Brothers. Do you think the songs on this album will help endear the Brothers to their fans? The Brothers don’t talk much about getting girls to like them or bragging about how cool or attractive they are. Instead they sing about being paranoid, getting treated badly by girlfriends and even innocently getting wrapped up in a robbery. Will this help them to stay relevant to their fans, even though their real lives can look like an enviable dream come true?

What's the story?

What's the story?

LINES, VINES AND TRYING TIMES is the fourth studio album for the teen idol trio. Full of a dozen tracks, the album has the boys crooning about lots of relationship trouble "all I get is attitude," and teen girls should have plenty of reasons to feel sorry for these lovesick guys that seem to be taking their hits in love (see: "World War III," "Poison Ivy," "Paranoid"). Lines… finds the group expanding their musical horizons and covering lots of different genres on the album, from their standard pop rock to bluegrass, country, and funk. There's even some retro sounds reminiscent of Human League and Genesis (complete with full horn and string sections!).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The Jonas Brothers prove once again that they are a cut above the standard boy band. Lines, Vines and Trying Times is a surprisingly rich collection of songs that cover a wide scope of musical territory. Although there are some great pop ballads on the album that have that classic Disney rock sound, like "Fly with Me," there's also some daring additions such as "What Did I Do To Your Heart" with its country-twang and rockin' fiddle and the totally 80's fan tribute "Much Better." The JoBros' natural likability is in full effect and the trio displays a refreshing degree of self-awareness and humility on tracks like "Paranoid" and "Keep it Real," where the boys insist they haven't let fame and fortune go to their head. "Livin' life, life in the fast lane, not that bad, no we can't complain, who's to say we won't keep it real?"

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: June 16, 2009
Label: Hollywood Records
Genre: Adult Contemporary

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

7
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive role models
  • 40% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

 
This CD caused my depression to return
I apologize for posting twice; I made a mistake. My friend and I decided to listen to this CD, and afterward we both felt extremely depressed. There was absolutely nothing original or likable about the CD. In all honesty, I did not expect to love this CD, but I did not expect it to invoke deep depression. I have gotten to a point in my life that I expect more from my music than the same trite, pointless nothings. I apologize again for the double post. If anyone can delete the other post, please do so!

maylady55
parent of 14 year old
 

simply42amazing
teen, 18 years old
 
Jonas Brothers are awesome :))
love the album!

aNNabaNNaNax16
teen, 17 years old
 
AWESOME
ALL I CAN SAY IS I LOVE THE JONAS BROTHERS THEY ARE THE BOMB AND THEYRE MUSIC ROCKS.

stargirl4peace
teen, 16 years old
 
Love the Album!
I thought it was very good. They're showing more variety with their genres, and have added hip-hop and country influences. Their music is also getting more mature. The one thing I would worry about is the "Poison Ivy" song. I read that they made a reference to the word B---- in there, but didn't even realize it until I listened very closely. Teenagers will probably get the joke and laugh, but younger kids won't, making it pretty harmless. Overall, I'm very impressed!

Katy0
teen, 17 years old
 
Annoying
Remind me how this band got so popular again?

PureIsTheCure
teen, 16 years old
 
This album is amazing because the Jonas Brothers address the regular romance problems with teens these days. I mean, the issues with a boyfriend or girlfriend lying to you, he/she loving each other but knowing that its hard to spend time with each other. I can relate because of the fact that I sing, I was not able to see my boyfriend and eventually he said he couldn't take it anymore. So the issues that they address are VERY realistic. The album is fun, real, and just "fantastilistic". I think that most TEENS will understand the situations more than 8 year olds will of course but the Jonas Brothers are definitely GREAT role models for kids. I give 11 out of 10 ;]

GoodGirl459
teen, 13 years old
 
LOVE THE JONAS BROTHER!
I love this cd! The jonas brothers are awsome

flutegirl1997
teen, 14 years old
 
AMAZING ALBUM X 3
I love this album...excellent to see the boys grow up but also keep everything clean-lyrics, the song content, everything. LOVE IT! certainly buy it for any girls...personally havent met a single guy who likes it, but thats okay :D good job jobros!!!!

ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
 
...
CSM you're serious...? Paramore Brand New Eyes got 4 stars, Jonas Brothers got 5...? wow SOMEONE isn't doing their job.

beatlesfan1
kid, 9 years old
 

Little Miss ...
kid, 12 years old
 
Awesome, but one word is almost mentioned
This album is great! I love them, although Poison Ivy says, " Everybody has that itch, everybody hates that" and a guitar strum they almost said that b word but, they are awesome

Alex Russo
kid, 12 years old
 
I love this music

MyWinterFirefly
teen, 16 years old
 
This is a really good album, although they may have grown up too fast for their younger fans. The band is aimed at young teens and tweens. Boys and older teens won't like them. My parents can listen to them and not complain so they're not that bad :)

 
Fun for All
This is a great album for everyone. The topics are light and appropriate for a family car ride to the Mall or a high school party. The song "Poison Ivy" does have a suggested swear word in the chorus but you will only catch it if you listen for it.

 
Perfect for all ages
I love this CD. It is awesome.

MratedTeen
teen, 17 years old
 
It's the Jonas Brothers...
I don't even need to write a review about this bullcrap.

tigerpin2
kid, 12 years old
 
Best album ever!!!
I am the superultramegastar#1super JB fan!!!!! I've seen every music video too!!! For sure, the very best album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lovejesse765
parent of 13 , 21 , 22 , and 24 year old
 
my kids
my kids love them

Rosebud95
teen, 16 years old
 
It's a Nice Album
I actually really like this album even if I'm not a fan of the singing. :-) But one song is "eh" after the intro. (Which is really cool) -Rosebud95-

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age