Album review: Nick Jonas & the Administration's 'Who I Am'

 Give Nick Jonas credit. Despite being a member of one of the world's most well-known brands in the Jonas Brothers, he's willing to take some risks. How else to explain this collection of well-mannered, slightly funky, adult-leaning pop? Whereas most teen artists are looking to pair up with the hottest songwriters or producers, Jonas has recruited former members of Prince's New Power Generation to back him. 

Which means that he means business. Unfortunately, one shouldn't go looking for a groove; the backing band isn't given nearly as big a workout here as Jonas' falsetto. 

The youngest Jonas sings and yelps as if he's trying to will some rock 'n' roll whiskers or has something to prove. "She'll charge you by the hour for a straight trip down to hell," he sings with grown-up gusto over a '70s funk bass on "State of Emergency." He's best when he reins it in, as he does on the lovely and unadorned "Vesper's Goodbye."

But too often Jonas is 17 going on John Mayer, at least in spirit, crafting lightly adorned melodies that dip briefly into blues and soul. Despite the seeming stylistic leaps -- bar-band blues on "Conspiracy Theory," a noir-ish ballad on "In the End" and a minimalist keyboard-guitar strut on "Rose Garden" -- "Who I Am" all feels a bit tentative. Recorded, supposedly, in just two weeks, think of it as "Camp Soul." 

-- Todd Martens 

Nick Jonas & the Administration
 "Who I Am"
 Hollywood Records
 Two stars (Out of four)

Comments

[jocy]

i bought the cd and thought it was awsome! good job nick! and good luck!

[Muranda]

I bought his album today, and I love it.
I personally think he is a great singer.
"The Jonas Brothers" sound is too poppy, but still good.
I like the sound Nick Jonas has in his new album.
I'm sure he will do great!

[Julie]

It's common for adults to be skeptical of a teen artist, but in this case I think Nick Jonas hit all the right notes. This album is a grand departure from the Jonas Brothers sound of power pop. Nick Jonas wrote four of the tracks on the album among those...Olive and an Arrow which is reminescent of a young John Mayer. The remaining six tracks on the album were co-written by Jonas.

I took a chance on the album after hearing the title track. I think this album comes at just the right time. I for one am tiring of the same old meaningless Hip Hop/Pop/Dance tracks that dominate the airwaves. This is a refreshing change.

Check out the guitar solos by both Jonas and Sonny Thompson on Olive and an Arrow, Conspiracy Theory, and Last Time Around. Jonas just added a 40 year old fan to his army.

[tana]

huyfehdb

[laquetta buggs]

I just bought this album last night...and am not a fan of the Jonas Brothers, but I do love Nicks voice!
I love this album already...althoug its got a lil John Mayer here and there... Its damn good..and how amazing to be even compared, to what I believe is one of the greats of todays soul music. ( JOHN MAYER)
Damn good job Nick!
Keep coming with more music

[Jessica]

Deserves 4 stars out of 4 stars.
His music is incredible.

[Lindsay]

amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.amazing.
This is the best work i've seen from Nick yet. It is so unique to the music we hear today which shows he is not scared to put stuff outr there. He has such a great voice and it suits each and every song. My favourites would be Who i am, In the End and Olive & an arrow.

Well done Nick. BIGGEST FAN. Lindsay :D x

[chuck norris]

Ridicoulous indeed that this kid's album is being mentioned as a headliner. You know that, just like Hanson, no one will give this guys any credibility once they go after theur solo careers. Why is that?, because he's a Jonas Brother!!!! NGAS

[Em]

While I've not bought/downloaded Nick's first outing and probably won't, I have to admit that I did by/download the title song, 'Who I Am,' and I L-O-v-E it! I am a 48 y.o. woman who is NOT a cougar, detested the Jonas Brothers, but this song really struck a chord and I LOVE good music no matter from where it comes. If this is where this young man is headed and stays true to himself and his sound, he has a VERY LONG career ahead of himself. Congrats, Nick, you've done yourself proud.

P.S. Being compared to John Mayer is a GREAT compliment!

[Erin]

I've been waiting for someone to come up with Music that does'nt sound like everyone else. Nick hit the spot for me, I love his voice and how he performs with his brothers and the Administration. I want more from him. I guess i'm a little greedy, this kid has a big future.
I'm 52 years young and I finally have the Jonas family to thank for taking a couple of years off of my attitude and I just feel a little better about the crap world we are trying to make right. Thanks Nick

[Brittany]

I have been a fan of the Jonas Brothers since 2006 and I am absolueley blown away with Nick's performance on this record! His new sound is very different from the Jonas Brothers and it makes Nick seem more grown up. If he can do a solo project and make a record so amazing that not only teens but adults like, and he is only 17 years old, then he is doing a pretty darn good job!

This record has to be my favorite record that Nick Jonas has ever done.

I LOVE NICK JONAS!! :)

[Teresa]

I'm 39 and I took my neice to the Jonas Brothers World Tour and really enjoyed all the music. I was very impressed that they wrote all their own songs! I bought all their CD's afterwards and enjoy them all. I bought Nick's CD today and love it. He is very talented. They will be around for years to come mainly because of their writing and performing abilities. They are also great role models. Whenever I hear people putting down the Jonas Brothers, I am now the first person to stick up for them. I'm proud to be a fan! GREAT JOB Nick!

[Sonja]

I prefer Nick Jonas & the Administration to the Jonas Brothers. I like the Jonas Brothers sure, but the NJ&TA sound is more to my liking. I think he'll do great on this side project. He has a great voice & he's 16, it should have already changed, & it hasn't so it looks like it's here to stay. I wouldn't shed any tears if the Jonas Brothers were done for good & Nick continued to be solo. I think the person that wrote this is just biased because he is Nick Jonas, he wants to find fault.

[Sonja]

Hey Chuck, Nick Jonas & the Jonas Brothers are not like Hanson, they already have out done themselves, & they continue to do so. They write their owns songs, & perform because it's their passion not by what they get paid.

[JONASLOV3R]

I WAITED ALL DAY TO GET IT. i LOVE HIS ALBUM ENJOYED IT. i ALSO ENJOYED HIM AND HIS BROTHERS .

THEIR SO CUTE I LOVE NICK, JOE, KEVIN.<3

[becki]

i sort of liked the jonas brothers when they first came out, and they were just the same for too long. i got tired of it. but this really is different for nick, and i think he did an awesome job!

[Nique]

I bought Nick Jonas & The Administration a couple of days ago, and I Have to say I really like this cd and i was not the biggest Jonas Brother fan not that there is anything wrong with them.

Nick Jonas has a very soft amazing voice & you can tell that he feels for what he's singing. Connect with the music and the emotion, and not with the fact that he's a Jonas Brothers.

I love the album.

[taylor]

I think this is actually pretty good. All things considered, he is still 17. I'm going to venture a guess and say he probably wont be receiving the total respect that he deserves until he's 20 at least. This is a great start in the right direction if he's going to keep on the solo path. Favorite on this is probably Last Time Around or Vesper's Goodbye. I haven't really found one that I haven't liked yet, though.

& hey, being musically compared to John Mayer isn't bad either.

[Lexie]

In my opinion, Nick's new album "Who I Am" shows his flying leap from pre-teen pop to young adult rock. His album shows big signs of potential chart-topping hits. I can tell because I'm not a huge rock fan but I absolutely adored all his songs. I especially loved "Conspiracy Theory", "State of Emergency", and "Who I Am". "The youngest Jonas sings and yelps as if he's trying to will some rock 'n' roll whiskers or has something to prove."-Maybe he does have something to prove. Maybe he feels he has to prove that he can handle more writing for people his age instead of kids years younger than him. Think about it.

~Lexie

[hey]

okay, im a huge jonas fan, and i have been since 2005.
Unfortunately, i hate this cd.
i think he sounds weird, different. i guess some songs are okay on it,
but mostly, i think they were horrible.
sorry jonas fans!

[Supporter]

This is real rock. I don't care what anyone says. His music is better than the Jonas Brothers and they should all just start playing more music like this. The Jonas Brothers should just take a chance, while Justin Bieber has all the tweenie fans, and make music like this that'll actually attract an older audience. In an interview Kevin Jonas said that they wanted to make music so truthful it may scare you. Do it!
I expect to see alot of Nick Jonas in the future music industry. Because this album DESERVES a grammy. It's better than all the meaningless rap and pop songs on the radio. It's a shame it was so underrated.
Keep making this music, Nick.