No More Waiting for the Jonas Brothers Album A Little Bit Longer

The Jonas Brothers may well be the hardest working family in the entertainment world today. In the year since their last album was released (the platinum selling self-titled Jonas Brothers), they have had guest appearances on the Disney Channel's hugely popular Hannah Montana television show; competed in the 2008 Disney Channel Games; starred in their first film, Camp Rock; performed in the theatrically released Best of Both Worlds Concert with Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana; been featured in not one, but two, of their own television series - Jonas Brothers: Living The Dream and J.O.N.A.S! (Junior Operatives Networking As Spies); shot their own concert film, Jonas Brothers: Burning Up Concert, scheduled to hit movie theaters next January; won six Teen Choice Awards; performed on countless television shows including Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, and the American Music Awards; taken on four different tours, selling out stadiums and arenas around the globe; and still managed to find the time to write 12 new songs and produce what will surely be their best selling album yet, A Little Bit Longer.

Of course, if you're reading this then you probably already knew most of that. So let's get right to the heart of the matter and take a look at each of the individual songs on A Little Bit Longer-

1) BB Good - 2:56

The album opens with the extremely upbeat BB Good which is sure to quickly stick in people's heads. The sing-along nature of this song makes it the perfect track to open the album as it definitely gets the listener into a party mood and I fully expect to pass tweens in the mall singing "You gotta be, be good to me, I'm gonna be, be good to you."

2) Burnin' Up - 2:55

Despite its standard pop 'love' song lyrics, Burnin' Up does manage to display a bit more of the JoBros funky rock style while still remaining eminently danceable. Already a staple at middle school and Junior High dances across America, the real treasure in this song is when their bodyguard, Robert "Big Rob" Feggans drops in about two-thirds of the way through the song.

3) Shelf - 3:48

While musically, Shelf maintains the quality that the Jonas Brothers have come to be known for, the lyrics just don't ring true in any sense. Perhaps this is an attempt to reach out to all those lonely tween boys who are dreaming of accompanying their female counterparts anywhere, even a Jonas Brothers concert. I mean seriously, has any Jonas Brother ever been given the cold shoulder? Given the lack of genuine angst in the singing pleas with whoever the song is addressed to tells me that the has not. And the attempt of a soul/R&B ending is simply pitiful.

4) One Man Show - 3:08

Luckily, One Man Show, picks up the pace again with a solid rock beat and even an attempt at some guttural singing. It's a song of lost love and the road to recovery and everyone (both male and female) who's ever been dumped will surely relate. Look for this song to be "dedicated" to quite a few exes this fall and winter.

5) Lovebug - 3:40

Lovebug could have been a wonderful ballad. However, for some reason, they decided bookend the song with what is apparently supposed to be random dialog of the brothers just hanging out and even go so far as to interrupt the song mid-stream with more of this garbage. The first verse reminds me of the classic Beatles pop songs and the final verse goes a long way towards being a power ballad, but overall the track just comes off disjointed. I'm sure the song will be great in concert, though.

6) Tonight - 3:29

After the random silliness and indecision of Lovebug, Tonight really shines when listening to the album straight through. With a driving dance rhythm it doesn't feel like a breakup song, but the lyrics make it clear thats what it is. This is destined to be one of those songs that is most adored by those who have the least idea what it's actually saying.

7) Can't Have You - 4:28

Although the transition from Tonight's rock ending to the mellow start of Can't Have You is a bit rough, this song of love lost is still my favorite on the album. The longest song on this release (by a full forty seconds) features Nick actually sounding like he means it (unlike on Shelf) when he sings the heart wrenching chorus -

I don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I don't know if I'll get up
And I don't wanna cause a scene
But I'm dyin' without your love
Begging to hear your voice
Tell me you love me too
'Cause I'd rather just be alone
If I know that I can't have you

8) Video Girl - 2:53

No pop album of love songs should be without its cautionary tale and the Jonas Brothers come through right here. Video Girl is about the girlfriend that should have never been. Probably Disney's least favorite song on the album, the JoBros break out some relatively harsh lyrics ("Get out of my face, Get out of my space, Get some class and kiss the past") that don't really fit the "pixie dust" image of their parent company.

9) Pushin' Me Away - 3:03

Pushin' Me Away opens with some very '80s synthesizer which draws the listener into what turns out to be just another trite pop song. Despite the rockin' center of the song, the eerie synth never really goes away and the lyrics are as empty as most pop star's heads. I have no doubt this song will be popular, but when it comes right down to it, there's just not "there" there.

10) Sorry - 3:12

Sorry is clearly intended as a heartfelt apology for deeds done wrong. Unfortunately, there's nothing actually interesting here, either musically or lyrically. Were this self-centered apology directed my way, the issuer would be even more sorry after the fact.

11) Got Me Going Crazy - 2:35

With an opening straight out of '70s hard rock, Got Me Going Crazy should have been the final track on the album. It smoothly melds into standard JoBros pop-rock, and stays upbeat with an unrestrained (and repeated) declaration of love. The only problem is that it ends a little rough, which would be fine if it didn't lead into the title track.

12) A Little Bit Longer - 3:25

The title track is apparently the result of Nick Jonas' low-blood sugar one day. "I sat down at the piano and wrote it in 20 minutes," he said. "And it was because I had this strong inspiration. A lot of people have told me it's inspiring." Surely to be one of the most talked about tracks (many fans didn't know he had diabetes) it's a very strong song in its own right. Listening to the studio recording makes it easy to believe that the entire house is in tears when the song is performed live. But that's no reason to end the album on a down note now, is it?

Overall -

This third album from the Jonas Brothers makes a wonderful showcase for their many talents. I have absolutely zero doubt that we'll all be hearing these songs over and over again (on the radio, in stores, from car windows, being sung by tweens, etc, etc) for the next 12 months or so. It definitely shows that they're maturing from their teeny bopper roots, but also that they've still got quite a way to go. I'm not writing them off quite yet, though. Never forget that Michael Jackson and Stevie wonder started out as wunderkind child singers as well!