Lines, Vines and Trying Times by Jonas Brothers

Jonas, Kevin, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas. Lines, Vines and Trying Times. Hollywood Records, 2009. 47.8 minutes. $11.99 (iTunes).

Plot Summary: The latest album by the Jonas Brothers is a catchy pop album featuring collaborations with rapper Common and fellow Disney-ite Miley Cyrus.

Critical Evaluation: Great album for dancing and singing along to, the pop trio have created another hit. The sound is very similar to their past albums, but the themes are more "mature." There isn't one terrible song on the album, although their Common collaboration is a little off from their usual.

Reader's Annotation: Jonas Brothers hit it again with another power chord driven pop album featuring collaborations with Common and Miley Cyrus.

Author Bio: Joseph, Kevin and Nick Jonas grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey with very musical parents. Their parents encouraged the boys to pursue music careers from early on. The brothers hit it big when featured on the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons soundtrack and were soon big Disney stars. They have five full length albums, It's About Time (2006), their self titled Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008) and Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009) as well as a live album. The brothers have appeared in several Disney shows and movies, including their own comedy series Jonas, and TV movie Camp Rock. Kevin recently became engaged and Nick branched off to form a new band called Nick Jonas and The Administrators.

Genre: Pop

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas: All you have to say is "Jonas" and tween girls will be eager to listen to anything you have to say.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Appeals to ages 8 and up.

Challenges: Some themes on this album are becoming more "adult," so some parents may take issues with lyrics.

Reason for including: I'm a sucker for the Jonas brothers. I watched every episode of their Disney series, and laughed hysterically as my husband shook his head with disgust. I'm a fan of their albums and know quite a few tweens who are big fans like I am.

Breakout by Miley Cyrus

Cyrus, Miley. Breakout. Burbank, CA: Hollywood Records, 2009. 39.7 minutes $18.99 UPC 050087123536

Plot Summary: Miley's first album completely free of Hannah Montana is full of catchy pop songs like "Breakout," "Fly on the Wall," and a remake of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."

Critical Evaluation: The album is definitely catchy and fun to listen to.

Reader's Annotation: Miley's first solo album is sure to catch you bopping your head.

Author Bio: Miley Cyrus is the daughter of famed country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. She is a Disney protege and star of the series Hannah Montana. Miley is currently breaking out of her Hannah Montana shell and focusing on solo projects in both music and movies, with a role in the next Nicholas Sparks film.

Genre: Pop

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Combine discussion of the show serialization with other things Miley has done, like Bolt, her CDs and other Disney work.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: Miley Cyrus is all the rage among tween girls right now and I do have a soft spot for her.

Tinted Windows, self titled album

Tinted Windows, a self titled album
Carlos, Bun E., Taylor Hanson, James Iha, and Adam Schlesinger. Tinted Windows. New York: S-Curve, 2009. 36 minutes $9.99 ISBN 9786312860006

Readers Annotation: Newest rock'n'roll super-group spans multiple generations.
Critical Evaluation: The new self-titled album by the super-group Tinted Windows is not what fans of the members' previous bands expected. Comprising of Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos on the drums, Hanson's Taylor Hanson on vocals, Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha on guitar and Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger on bass, the result is something more early Cheap Trick than anything else. The pop-rock songs are all upbeat and speak on love, love and more love. Their style reminds me of the pop-rock bands of the 70s and early 80s, like The Knack, Buzzcocks and Elvis Costello.
Information about the Author: Each of the band members have had a great deal of success with their other bands, but decided to come together for something new. Cheap Trick has a new album out, and is currently on tour. Smashing Pumpkins went on a 20th anniversary tour last year, with their latest full-length album released in 2007. Hanson will be embarking on a US tour in the fall. Fountains of Wayne is performing a few acoustic shows in the fall.
Genre: Rock, Pop
Age Level: All Ages
Curriculum Ties: History of Music
Book talking ideas: Have them listen to samples from Cheap Trick, Hanson, Smashing Pumpkins and Fountains of Wayne, then compare this to Tinted Windows.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: As a big fan of all bands represented, I was very excited when I heard Taylor Hanson, Bun E. Carlos and James Iha were collaborating. Honestly, the only thing I'd heard up till recently by Fountains of Wayne was "Stacy's Mom," but that isn't a good reflection of their work. I have always loved when talented musicians get together outside of their normal jamming buddies. The result is usually something different, and fantastic. I hope that teens will hear bands like this and become interested in the members' other achievements, especially with those like legendary Bun E. Carlos and the often overlooked Taylor Hanson.