Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and the music in 'Camp Rock'

For as big as Disney's "High School Musical" franchise has been, it lacked one magical ingredient that graces "Camp Rock," the studio's latest multi-platform TV/music extravaganza: the Jonas Brothers.

Though the accompanying soundtrack is less a Jonas Brothers property than it is a coming-out party for Demi Lovato, tipped to be Miley Cyrus 2.0 (or is that Hilary Duff 3.0?), the soundtrack is a stronger bid for musical legitimacy than the first two volumes of "High School Musical."

Although the "High School Musical" discs have resulted in sales well into the millions, neither walked away with a Grammy nomination, and as music, "High School Musical" came off as more of a karaoke sing-along than fresh teen pop.

"Camp Rock"  is a far more contemporary snapshot of the Radio Disney playlist. In addition to the high-energy rock of the Jonas Brothers, the soundtrack has a slow-dance showcase for lead Jonas, Joe, three self-esteem-boosting tracks from Lovato, and some bad-girl spunk -- in the form of club-ready dance -- from Meaghan Martin.

But does it all stand up outside of the made-for-TV film? The "Camp Rock" soundtrack is broken down below:

The songs of Joe Jonas/the Jonas Brothers: While "Camp Rock" will undoubtedly be a hit, it's also a momentum builder for the upcoming Jonas Brothers album, "A Little Bit Longer," which is due in August. As a full band, the Jonas Brothers only get one cut on the album, "Play My Music," but it's one of the film's showcase songs, and was one of the earliest videos released to hype the film.

The Jonas Brothers like to tell us that they're "living the dream," but too often they sound as if they're playing a part. "Play My Music" is no different. It's an inoffensive dash of power-pop, with a simple, slicing rhythmic guitar riff, but the song never takes off. As bubblegum pop goes, it lacks a spark.

The pre-chorus should be filled with hooks, with a plea for "hand-clapping, hip-shaking, heart-breaking" tunes, but every word is strained as if the boys are magically trying to grow some rock 'n' roll stubble. Like a kid trying to fit into his papa's suit, it doesn't fit.

And that cuts to the heart of the problem with the Jonas Brothers: For a band of teenagers traveling the world playing music, the brothers rarely sound like they're having fun. Even a mid-verse "whoo" sounds more processed than the guitars, and the Jonas Brothers try so hard to tell us how earth-shatteringly important rock 'n' roll is in the song, that it sounds like they're trying to convince themselves more than the audience.

But it's pleasantly ignorable compared with Joe's "Gotta Find You" ballad. The re-emergence of the rock 'n' roll tearjerker (see OneRepublic's "Apologize") is one of pop music's more distressing trends of late, and "Gotta Find You" doesn't add to the genre. With a cellphone-waving melody driving by an acoustic guitar (acoustic means sensitive!), the song manipulates by over-dramatizing its mundane lyrics.

What's up with this Demi Lovato: The Jonas Brothers had an apprenticeship opening for Miley Cyrus, and now that the former are top-billing, the siblings will take Lovato under their wing as a support act this summer. Her debut album is due in November.

"Play My Music" doesn't stray too from the Jonas Brothers' brand of bouncy pop, and that act is already a known quantity. As for Lovato, the young singer recently told Billboard that most of the music she's interested in is "too dark" to "make it on a Disney album." Supposedly, as the story goes, she turned to the Jonas Brothers to lighten her act up.   

Let's hope her three songs on "Camp Rock" aren't any indication of what to expect later this year. Her "Who Will I Be" will likely get the big push, and it cops a page from the Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana playbook -- guitars, brief and zany musical breakdown and a lyrical quest for an identity -- but it does so without any of the joy of Miley's music.

The music created for Miley had a bit of a self-deprecating streak, where a chorus that screams "Nobody's Perfect" is a cause for celebration. Lovato's "Who Will I Be," in contrast, strives for bratty mall-punk, but is instead pure cockiness. Like the popular kid no one can stand, she sings, "If I decide I'm the girl to change the world, I can do it anytime."

But to be fair, Lovato's a capable singer -- a cleaner Avril Lavigne, but just as tough -- and she will get a free pass here. Her songs lack any details in the lyrics, and are clearly plot-drivers first and foremost. For instance, her "This Is Me" is more or less a rewrite of "Who Will I Be" with a slower arrangement.

But more promising is "Our Time Is Here," with Lovato showing off some range. She's the tortured balladeer at the piano at the song's start, and then she powers into the soundtrack's most lilting chorus with a bit of brawniness. 

Disney plays it safe. Lovato doesn't get anything in "Camp Rock" that's as sparkly and spunky as Miley's current single, "7 Things." Instead, the studio is keeping Lovato a blank slate -- for now.

The best of the rest of the lot: Renee Sandstrom's ballad "Here I Am" is appropriately over-the-top, swelling to a full-orchestra by song's end, and is much better than the wimpy-boy earnestness of "Gotta Find You." Meaghan Martin's "Too Cool" is a much-needed burst of silliness, smoldering cheesy hard rock guitars over amped-up dance floor beats, and her "2 Stars" fashions a groove out of a squealing car.

But it's the Aaron Doyle-sung "What It Takes" that's the soundtrack's catchiest song. Next to the so-awful-it's-not-worth-discussing "Hasta La Vista," it's one of the film's hip-hop breakdowns. It succeeds with a chilling keyboard, video game swirls and a rattling rhythm. Doyle turns a request to borrow a sweatshirt into a pick-up line, and is playfully confident in the song's drawn out chorus.

But it's just kid's music: No. The Jonas Brothers/"Camp Rock"/Miley Cyrus/"High School Musical" are big business. If Disney is asking for the time and money of the consumer -- or the consumer's children -- the product is to be held to the same standards as any other piece of popular culture.

Photos: Disney

Comments

[Kelly]

I ♥ this movie!!!! i love the jonas brothers and can't wait to see Demi

[Nicole]

This movie rocked! Once again Disney created a film that I did not have to cringe at what may happen next. The music was just right for the moments and the kids were great. They looked like teens and tweens and sounded the like. Let the kids enjoy this one.

[I luv joe jonas!!!!!!]

i luv joe jonas and i think camp rock is pure genius!!!! it is my favorite movie ever and yeah i am a teen but so what? i think the jonas brothers are amazing!!!!!!

[Angela]

I think Joe Jonas is so cute

[lilly24]

The review is incorrect. Just because the Jonas Brothers sing on the album, doesn't make it good, Demi has a voice that grates, and the songs are badly produced, and again written for the movie, they are not written by the Jonas Brothers. High School Musical on the other hand was the biggest selling cd, and soundtrack, world wide, for two years running, it also won an emmy, and many other awards besides. Camp Rock wil not do the same just because the JoBros are in it, half the world don't even know who they are. The writers of camp rock don't even like the movie, that speaks volumes, Plus HSM has 8 things that CR doesn't, the Wildcats. I think children, and indeed adults, can relate a lot better to the message of HSM, than CR. But i guess only time will tell.

[teresa]

This was an awesome movie. I wish I was in it and I would of been instantly famous. It would be awesome.

[agnes]

all the song of camp rock is awesome its the best ever!!!! demi lovato is a wonderful singer so as the jonas brother
i love them all
the whole cast of camp rock.... ROCKS!!!
i love hsm too its great too

[Madddie]

hey guys u kno the jonas brothers demi lovato and many othr ppl hav orked hard on this movie if u dont like it u should keep your coments 2 yourself i luved the movie, and if i didnt i wouldnt look for website to complain about a movie. ps keep your biased reviews to yourself! joe jonas and demi u guys were wonderful and i think this was a great movie i liked it more than high school music! so remember say as to others as u wood want them 2 say 2 u! dont beleive me look it up

[jill]

woooww i love the movie ive watched it like 4 times alreaddyy!!!! i hope you make they make a swcond onee(;

[camprock]

you are a stupid critic. you need to get your facts straight before you start talkin about other people. all the GOOD songs you said were HORRIBLE . and the actually GOOD ones you trashed:O
camp rock rules:]

[Blane Curtis]

im 14 so i really should not have been watching this but i had nothing else to and i saw Demi Lovato and she is possibly the cutest chick ever, not hot cute. but that is beside the point. The movies music is alot better than i thought it to same with the story. Also the Jonus Brothers attempt to mix pop with Killswitch Engage original type rock was pretty well done. Demi Lovato ur still pretty hot.

[Heidi]

I can't believe you guys are being so harsh!!!!!I think the movie is the best movie Disney Channel ever made!!!!And they chose such good actors.Besides it was theyr'e 1st movie and they actually did better then I thought they would.And the songs were awesome especially,Play My Music and Gotta Find You.and Too Cool and 2 Stars are stupid songs!!So next time you need 2 write a better report!!And the thing you said,"But it's just kid's music:"BTW:all the stuff you said was good was kid music and your probably like 50 so,you don;t need 2 be critisizing kid music b/c ur such a bad critic!!!!

PS:The movie was awesome!!!!!And you guys were so good at acting in it!!!!!!

[Amy!]

okay i love the jonas brothers and demi lovato! CampRock was the best movie i have ever watched! i cant wait till it comes out onto itunes i am getting it! i already have every single song from the movie!
Demi, you are my idol! My favorite song was at the end when you two sang this is me. Im actually listening to it right now! This will be my favorite movie forever and ever!

[Mellisa]

Camp Rock was one of the best movies EVER!!!!! Demi Lovato rocked it!!! This is Me is, let me put it this way: WOW!!!!!! She's so good. She's beautiful. She is not "too dark". And "Gotta Find You", that was really good. The lyrics mean so much. They mean you need to be yourself, don't lie about your life, just to be popular. All the songs you trashed here are the best. Camp Rocked totally ROCKED!!!!

[Amy!]

okay...
i read these comments and i think that all the ppl who are leaving rude comments are just jealous bc the jonas brothers look good in skinny jeans and uh yeah well u probably dont! And bc Demi is probably a better singer than all of you put together!
Yeah and the songs were amazing and mhmm your jealous about that too!

[Laura]

I pretty much agree with your review. My favorite was 'Here I Am,' and I thought the others were mediocre. But I think as far as Disney Channel movies go, "Camp Rock" was pretty good. When comparing it to other films, though, it lacks serious quality.

[jessica]

i am completely in love with this movie.ive watched it 3 times slready.im watching it again right know.i hope the jonas brothers can come to vegas again.i missed the last concert because my dad was in the hospital and we didnt have the money.i wish i could go to there next one.

[zeina]

I love you jonas brothers

I wish i can see you but

i am in uae and you are

on america.

so love is most to you

jonas brothers

take care

[Cassie]

OH MY GOSH! I love camp rock! especially Tess' song, Too Cool!

[mileygirl]

i don't get the hype about 'camp rock"...demi has no spark not like miley...she'll fade'''' miley rocks..." the 7 things i hate about you"

[Jonas Bothers Lover!!!]

I love You guys!! Your music is so real and pure!! Demi was soo good, her and "Shane" were so believable. The songs show a different side of everyone in the movie, but they were all amazing!! And trust me I'm not just saying this to be nice and stuff!! The whole movie was soo good I loved it!! The entire cast is awesome! You will meet my sister backstage at your concert in Lakewood.(I'm so jealous) Her names Emerson L. she'll be with the Simmons'. Once again I LOVE Yall!!!!

[brianca]

i luv the jonas brothers and demi lovoto!

[DESTYNI]

you are the best .But, i like NICK the best.I wish you would sing a song just for me.

[Ashley Nielsen]

The Jonas Brothers and Demi rock!

[Ashley Nielsen]

YOu guys rocked on Camp Rock!!