Meet the Jonas Brothers

Considering how hip Pinoys are with music trends from abroad, I honestly think this one took a long time coming. But it has finally happened. We have now warmed up to the Jonas Brothers and their self-titled CD is at last available in the local stores.

The Jonas Brothers are Nick, Joseph and Kevin. They are part Italian, Cherokee Indian, Irish and German. They are seen in the Disney Channel in the reality show Living the Dream that shows them at work and on the road. They are also the stars of Camp Rock, a TV movie that drew nearly nine million viewers. Most of those are teen-aged girls who believe that they are the cutest boys ever to hit the screen.

Wasn’t it only a decade or so ago when the girls thought the same of Hanson or of the Moffats? What about Menudo from 25 years ago? Or the New Kids on the Block? There was also a time when Donny and Jimmy were also the cutest boys ever. Of course, musicwise, neither the Osmonds or any teeny bopper group have been able to measure up to the great Jackson Five. Well, Jacksons they are not but it is now a fact that the Jonases are the hottest idols for the tween set today.

Nick, the songwriter is 16 years old and has curly hair and soulful eyes. He was a child actor on Broadway. Joseph is 19 years old and is the lead singer. He originally wanted to be a comedian but opted to join his brothers in the band because he also liked music. Kevin is the oldest at 21. He also plays the guitar and is the one who likes wearing bandanas. They are all handsome and dashing with loads of leading man possibilities.

But before that, it might be a good idea for us to listen to their music in the Jonas Brothers CD. Forget about the lyrics. These probably make sense only to 12-year-olds. The music though is something else. It sounds like these boys know rock music inside out and have taken all their influences, merged these together and came up with the Jonas Brothers sound.

They have got punk, emo, the blues and even a ballad or two, all well-executed and very infectious. Be prepared to hear them spinning in your heads. The big hit is When You Look Me in the Eyes but best of the lot for me are Goodnight and Goodbye and Hello Beautiful. Other cuts are S.O.S., Hold On, That’s Just the Way We Roll, Still in Love With You, Australia, Games, Inseparable, Just Friends, Hollywood, Year 3000, and Kids of the Future.

I do not know when the new CD A Little Bit Longer or the Camp Rock soundtrack would be released here. These are selling big in the US and fans are waiting with bated breath to see these albums hit No. 1. Not that waiting really matters. Jonas Brothers makes a great introduction to the trio. Besides it also has gorgeous pictures of the boys in the cover. Ang guguwapo nila. Then if you get the new boxed set, you will find two bonus tracks, Take a Breath and We Got the Party with guest Hannah Montana.

One of those CDs seen as a big stumbling block to the Jonases finally cracking the No. 1 ceiling is no other but the soundtrack of the movie Mamma Mia!. Here is proof that you do not have to be a rocking teener to have a hit recording these days. Just think, the average age of the cast is 45 and the Abba songs in the album are all over 30 years old.

But beautiful music is always ageless and the CD is No. 1 this week in Billboard’s Top 200 Albums. It is also No. 1 in the top Soundtracks and in the top Internet lists. The original stage soundtrack is No. 1 in the Top Cast albums list while, Gold, an Abba hit collection is on top of the Pop Catalog tabulation. Take note, this is the first time that an Abba album made No. 1 in the US.

Here goes the list: Mamma Mia! the movie soundtrack featuring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried and others: Breakout by Miley Cyrus; Love on the Inside by Sugarland; Rock N Roll Jesus by Kid Rock; Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne; Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay; Lessons in Love by Lloyd; Camp Rock, the movie soundtrack feat. the Jonas Brothers; Good Girl Gone Bad by Rihanna; and What Am I Waiting For by Heidi Newfield.