Monday, Nov. 03, 2008

Jonas Brothers' Burnin' Up

Overlook the indulgence of a rap verse contributed by their bodyguard and this is an almost perfectly constructed pop song. Allegedly inspired by Prince, Disney's adorable little cash registers sing about their infatuation — "High heels, red dress/ All by yourself/ Gotta catch my breath!" — in credible R&B falsetto over power guitar chords. The production is door-in-the-face obvious (there's a boiling kettle at the open to make sure we get that they're burnin' up) but edginess is not the point; sweetness is, and the Jonases achieve it with irresistible harmonies and exuberance.

Hear excerpts from all the top songs of 2008: