CD reviews: Jonas Brothers; Wisin & Yandel

Jonas Brothers, "Lines, Vines and Trying Times" (Hollywood)

Yes, millions of teenage girls helped the Jonas Brothers rise to fame, but they're also the reason why the group isn't taken seriously, musically speaking.

The musicianship of Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas is often overlooked, but that may finally change on their fourth studio album. It's a cool collection of songs primarily written by the JoBros, including the groovy "Hey Baby," "Much Better" and the first single, "Paranoid." But the best songs are the slow jams, including "Turn Right" and the exceptional "Black Keys," solely written by the youngest Jonas, 16-year-old Nick.

"Lines, Vines and Trying Times" is not without its missteps, though. Where the boys try to take artistic leaps -- such as collaborating with rapper Common on "Don't Charge Me for the Crime" -- they fall short. The country-sounding "What Did I Do to Your Heart" is also dismissible.

The Jonas Brothers will perform July 8 at Target Center.

MESFIN FEKADU, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wisin & Yandel, "La Revolucion" (Machete)

It's also not a challenge. The more notable appearance comes later here when Puerto Rican pop sensualist Ednita Nazario melts into the languorous "Como Quieres que Te Olvide?" Here Yandel proves to be a surprisingly tender singer, with shades he isn't normally required to access. And while as a rapper Wisin remains an unreconstructed barker, he gamely plays third fiddle, containing himself so as not to interrupt the song's ache.

It's a rare display of range on "La Revolucion," which is colder and far more polished than this group's 2005 breakthrough CD, "Pa'l Mundo." This is a brisk, unforgiving album, reggaeton at its most maximalist and ambitious. But the best songs here are the moments of nuance amid the pounding: the sinuous "Tu Vives en Mi," and "Abusadora," with its slick echoes of freestyle.

Throughout "La Revolucion" Yandel's singing is clouded by the Auto-Tune distortion that lately has invaded reggaeton just as thoroughly as it has hip-hop in recent years. It's a sharp statement of currency but also a time stamp.