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.

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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?

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?

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

Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:

40% say there are positive role models
40% say there are positive messages

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

LoveOverHate
adult

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!

Music Details

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Label

Genre

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

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Lines, Vines and Trying Times

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Music themes & details

Music Details

Review It

Review Lines, Vines and Trying Times

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

This CD caused my depression to return

Jonas Brothers are awesome :))

AWESOME

Love the Album!

Annoying

LOVE THE JONAS BROTHER!

AMAZING ALBUM X 3

...

Awesome, but one word is almost mentioned

Fun for All

Perfect for all ages

It's the Jonas Brothers...

Best album ever!!!

my kids

It's a Nice Album

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