2009-06-11 - 9:01 a.m. I've been following the Jonas Brothers since 2006 with an attitude that combines neutral anthropological curiosity, motherly indulgence, and older-sisterly contempt. I have admiration and hope for their genuine talent while at the same time shaking my head at the 'tween-star nonsense. Their new album fulfills my expectations accordingly. There are four songs on here, including the single "Paranoid," that qualify as above-average power-pop. Maybe not Big Star quality, but certainly Tinted Windows or latter-day Cheap Trick. And then there's the ill-advised hip-hop number featuring Common(!). And then there's the remaining tracks, which are mostly schlock, with the exception of a sort of prog-funk-metal thing, written by Nick Jonas, that opens the album that isn't good but gets points for being...un'tweeny. Some day, fellas. Meanwhile, back in the land of grown-ups, aka Chicago, there's the Horses' Ha, a folk-jazz quintet featuring Freakwater/11th Dream Day singer Janet Beveridge Bean on vocals. The lyrics, mostly written by former Zincs leader James Elkington, are exceptional. I am excited to be reading the latest Ian McEwan novel, already two years old but completely new to me. So far so good. thoughts? (1 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact