Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It's easy to be the pop/rock snob when assessing the music of the Jonas Brothers. For some purists the very fact that the Brothers' audience is largely teenage girls and their boyish good looks are sold to the celeb-fixated by a well oiled marketing machine mean their music has no merit whatsoever. In truth the Jonas Brothers have always avoided the worst excess of production-line pop and on this set show that they're moving from the predictable template of radio friendly pop rock to take on board some intriguing new musical eclecticism. Here the band move from falsetto-stretching funk on "World War III" (a song about a girlfriend trying to start a fight for no reason and with a horn section sassy enough to emanate from Memphis) to heart-on-sleeve country on "What Did I Do To Your Heart" complete with some delightful fiddle playing. The hits "Paranoid" and that Night At The Museum 2 opus "Fly With Me" are here, while the track "Much Better" cites influences like the Bee Gees and Neil Diamond on the sleevenote and has a great modern disco vibe. Probably the standout track is "Hey Baby" helped by some scorching guitar from fellow believer Jonny Lang. The package comes with a 24 page booklet and two bonus videos. All in all, a very impressive album from young men who are much, much more than boy band pinups.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.