Start with thin cute boys in skinny jeans (if you go to Wesleyan, you’re already attracted to this type on some level), add humbleness and piety, and throw in a bit of musical talent for the heck of it. This deathly combination can only result in one thing: the heart-throbbing trio known as the Jonas Brothers. Proving that the days of the boy band have not come to an end, these three brothers from New Jersey make up one of the most popular (well, to young girls at least) teen pop entities in the U.S. right now, but do so without chips on their shoulders.

Why is it that so many people exclude the Jonas Brothers from the world of legitimate music artists? Rarely have I encountered another Jonas lover, and usually my Jonas love is met with laughs, incredulousness, and disbelief. God forbid that someone should actually enjoy and respect fun pop-rock music by a band that writes its own songs and music! Their exposure in the media has only been in a positive light (no DUIs or rehab scandals, thank you very much), and they’ve done a pretty good job of keeping their personal lives private. Although they’ve created a firm boundary to keep their fans out of their private business, they frequently show how grateful they are for their loyal fan base, acknowledging that without their support they’d still just be making guest appearances on Hannah Montana. The JoBros constantly show love for their fans on their Twitter and MySpace, and occasionally hold live video sessions where they answer questions sent from their fans and do ridiculous things for them (for example, when one fan dared Joe to do the “Single Ladies” dance, he donned a leotard and learned the steps—see, they’re good sports, too!) They are genuinely good, humble people!

One of the most admirable things about Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas is the fact that they’ve stayed true to their beliefs throughout their careers. If you know anything about the JoBros, you know that they wear purity rings, a symbol of a promise to themselves and God to respect women and wait until marriage before having sex. Although some may think of this gesture as just another way to tease all those lusty teenage girls out there (you always want what you can’t have), I truly believe that unlike the godless, sexed-up youth of today, these three Christian guys are actually going to abstain from sex until marriage (Kevin, the eldest brother, has already gotten married).

They also abstain from drug use and alcohol consumption, making them the squeaky-clean poster children for Disney. Which isn’t as corny as it sounds. They actually have a show on the Disney show titled, you guessed it, “Jonas!” On the show they play themselves, and attend Horace Mantis Academy. The basic plot of the show is three young rock stars, trying to “keep it real” while still following their dreams of stardom. The humor of the show is silly and immature, with Kevin usually playing the part of the dumb, clueless brother, Joe as the airhead pretty boy, and Nick as the brooding, brilliant artist. The cast is comprised of seemingly ordinary teenagers, but together they create 30 minutes of wonderful, funny, and lighthearted Disney magic. Even if you can’t respect or enjoy the Jonas Brothers as a musical entity, you might find enjoyment in their thespian endeavors.
But you should enjoy their music. One of the most respectable things about this teen pop band is that they aren’t just entertainers, they’re artists. They actually write or co-write their songs, and legitimately know how to play their instruments. Most of their songs are about pining for a beautiful girl, but what more do you expect? At least they present their teenage heartache with sweet lines and thoughtfulness (Akon could learn something from this). They also sing about hope, determination, and learning to live through difficult times, drawing on their own personal life experiences (like Nick’s diagnosis of Type I Diabetes) to add emotional depth to their albums. At the same time, they’re clever in the way that they are able to jump start the sex drives of young girls while simultaneously maintaining the approval of the parents who spend up to $200 per ticket for their kids to see them live.

The Jonas Brothers may not be the Jackson 5 or Hanson, but they are certainly not to be dismissed or ignored. They’ve already been on the music scene for five years and aren’t going anywhere soon. They’ve created a young, attractive group, they provoke a frenzy anywhere they go—in short, it’s only a matter of time before we’re all burnin’ up for the Jonas Brothers.