While many have been spending the past fourteen years begging for Chinese Democracy, I’ve been waiting eighteen years for NKOTB’s The Block (1993’s Face The Music doesn’t count, because it was a piece of shit- like Guns N’ Roses’ Spaghetti Incident in ’94), though a comeback album wasn’t always in the works.
When The New Kids On The Block went on the Magic Summer Tour in 1990, I was there. It was a birthday present to my mother– that’s how in love I was with NKOTB. I was there at Dodger Stadium in a handmade shirt that read “I love Joey!!” even though Jordan was my favorite. Long story short, my older sisters called dibs on all the other New Kids until only Joey was left. We certainly couldn’t have duplicates.
As rumors of a reunion began to surface earlier this year, I watched as NKOTB.com went from a site under construction reminding visitors to check back, to a site with old videos, and then the “Are You Ready?” video really got me going. Of course I’m ready! I’ve been waiting for eighteen years! N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, and even my beloved Jonas Brothers aren’t exactly the powerhouses that the New Kids were during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
In May, Summertime arrived for download as a new single from NKOTB. While it definitely wasn’t Hangin’ Tough, it was a safe, mediocre, slightly catchy pop song. In order to keep the dream alive, I just told myself it was their attempt to work their way back in without doing anything too controversial and that the best was yet to come. When the music video hit the scene, I laughed. Each time I see it, I still laugh. All the guys out there who don’t give a crap can at least tune in to see the hot chicks they have running around in bathing suits on the beach:
Now The Block is here. Fiona Apple’s Extraordinary Machine was the last time I was (almost) this excited about a new release.
The first song is Click, Click, Click and though it’s more digestible the second time around, it still sounds like late ‘90s R&B. The next track is the newest single, Single, featuring Ne-Yo. It’s listenable. Then I get confused when Big Girl Now featuring Lady Gaga starts attacking my speakers. The beginning of the song almost pulls me in, but after the first 25 seconds, it turns to shit. Then I hit the one minute mark when Lady Gaga shows she’s got a bit of a voice– I might check some of her stuff out, but I’m skipping the rest of this song because I can’t take much more of this “I’m a big girl, you’re a big boy now” crap.
We’ve all heard Summertime, so next is 2 In The Morning. You can definitely hear the intersection of early ‘90s and today. The beat is reminiscent of the old times, but the auto-tuner makes sure we know NKOTB is hanging out in the two-thousands. Bad.
I hate the Pussycat Dolls. I love pop music, but I hate PCD. They’re hanging out on the next track, Grown Man. I get it, you guys aren’t 20 anymore.
My heart is beginning to break…
Dirty Dancing and Sexify My Love are horrible. All over the house / working that thing, girl / making you shout / Take it fast, slow / gonna do it like a pole / slide down and get low… That gem is followed by Twisted, which also sucks.
The next track is Full Service. If you were wondering what New Edition is up to these days, listen to this track when nobody is around and you’ll be glad they’ve been in hiding. They don’t want you to be nervous, they’re gonna give you full service, full service. “You ain’t even gotta get out your seat.” Don’t worry, we’re not.
Lights, Camera, Action is a decent dance track. Put It On My Tab opens with Akon. I love Akon. He’s so bad, he’s almost good. Akon ends up being the best part of this track, but that’s not saying much at all.
Stare At You, One Song, Don’t Cry, and Officially Over would have been good in 1994. Looking Like Danger is so bad it’s close to good. I think this one is my favorite.
On NKOTB’s Myspace page, they only have old hits on their player.
I was once really excited about seeing NKOTB at the Staples Center next month, but I might just stay home. They should have completed the tour before releasing the album to gauge interest and spend a few more months working on the album.
NKOTB’s Greatest Hits album starts playing after Looking Like Danger finishes. I might just stick to that and pretend none of this ever happened.
There’s still a part of me that has hope as I snuggle in tight to my NKOTB sleeping bag that I made my mom buy for me at the Magic Summer Tour in 1990. Maybe they’re working in reverse this time: shitty album first, awesome stuff later.
The Block
September 2, 2008
Interscope
1. Click, Click, Click
2. Single
3. Big Girl Now
4. Summertime
5. 2 In The Morning
6. Grown Man
7. Dirty Dancing
8. Sexify My Love
9. Twisted
10. Full Service
11. Lights, Camera, Action
12. Put It On My Tab
13. Stare At You
14. One Song
15. Don’t Cry
16. Officially Over
17. Looking Like Danger
September 1st, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Well, I’m sorry you’re dissappointed. For one thing, Face the Music is a great and underestimated album. Judging by even your history with the New Kids on the Block, maybe you never really liked them at all. I feel sorry for you.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I don’t even know what to say…I feel completely the opposite about the album. I cringed a little the first time I heard Summertime, but once I realized what it was about I thought it was a sweet message to the fans. I love pop music and I happen to love almost every song on the album. How you cannot like Click (and say it sounds 90’s? FTM sounds 90’s but it was made in the 90’s so…) or Stare at You at least (a beautiful ballad) is surprising as hell to me.
If you are this disappointed, sell your ticket to someone who’d really like to go to the concert so you don’t bum out anyone around you.
I’m just…I don’t know what else to say, you’re sitting there wrapped in a 20 year old new kids blanket…
FYI-the guys official MySpace is http://www.myspace.com/nkotb and it has summertime and Single posted. The one you listed is for the Greatest Hits album.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Well, of course you’re entitled to your opinion. I’ve heard the entire album and love it. FTM is now the second best album they’ve done, The Block is now the best they’ve ever done. It’s been 20 years, and music has changed a lot in that time. I know, it might be a shock to hear that.
Owning a NKOTB sleeping bag does not make one a fan.
By the way, the myspace you linked, is not their current official myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/nkotb
September 1st, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I’m sorry you feel this waay about their new album but just out of curiosity, exactly what were you expecting? Songs where they still belt out sappy crooning? Or dance songs that make you want to break out your New Kids jacket and start dancing like Tiffany? I understand that you don’t like it but I’m just wondering what kind of album you were hoping they would have because there were people who said they shouldn’t have done a new album and should have just stuck with the old stuff when they reunited. However, they still have something to say and this album proves they ARE a band and it is all about their hard work. This is perhaps the last album they will ever put out before completely retiring and if you don’t like it, that’s fine, but it still deserves some respect, don’t you think? After all, these guys were seen as manufactured puppets for years and still are to some. For me, this album proves everyone wrong. I certainly trust that they know what they’re doing. Besides, this reunion is for the fans of old. If new ones want to join, welcome to the party!! But please don’t rain on our parade.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:34 PM
ok, let me just start by saying that you obviously listened to a different album than i did! this is their best offering to date. do you really think you can say things like this, and expect to a bunch of people to suddenly say, “oh, my, she’s a music critic. she must be right.” and by lacing your “review” with foul language, you’re just making yourself look like the childish person you probably are. next time you write a review for a music CD, why don’t you try cutting out the the nasty language, and using intelligent sentences instead of writing whatever pops into your head that you think will get a reaction! if that was what you were going for, you got it.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Well as some of your reply’s i won’t be so nice since you were not to the guys..Let’s start with you saying that “whole album sucks” Most of us FANS have waited along time for this and this is the best album they guys have ever put out..I have waited many years for this reunion and the fact that you call yourself a fan is Hilarious sell your ticket and CD as soon as possible and let someone who isn’t a hater enjoy themselfs and stay home wrapped in your blankie
September 1st, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Don’t they have a smokin’ hot single with the original boy band the mighty New Edition? I think it is called “Full Service” - have y’all heard it? IT NEEDS TO BE RELEASED!!!!!!!! NE together for 25 years and NKTOB back after more than 15 - this is a fantastic musical collaboration - Maurice’s boys are all now men.
Let’s make this happen y’all!
September 1st, 2008 at 7:15 PM
OMG awesome!
September 1st, 2008 at 7:23 PM
IF YOU THINK NE HAS BEEN IN HIDING, YOUR LIVING UNDER A ROCK! I’M SORRY TO INFORM YOU THAT NEW EDITION IS NOT YOUR NORMAL “BOY BAND” 25 YEARS STRONG AND STILL GOING BABY. THEY CAN BREAK APART AND STILL HIT YOU IN THE THROAT!! FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, BBD, JOHNNY, RALPH AND BOBBY (NE FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW) HAVE ALL BEEN TOURING THE COUNTRY DOING SELL OUT SHOWS. HIDING, I THINK NOT. HUSTLING, ALWAYS!! NE4LIFE!! HOPEFULLY NKOTB WILL RELEASE FULL SERVICE. AS FAR AS THE REST OF THE ABLUM……I’LL RESERVE MY COMMENTS!! “DOLL BABIES” HAHAHA IT’S A NE THING, YOU WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:36 PM
wow
September 1st, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Please….. sign the petition to get it released as a single. Go to http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fullservice to sign the petition!
September 1st, 2008 at 8:17 PM
chill on the caps peaches
September 1st, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Wow!!! I’m amazed that a fan would write this. But, reading your intro, how you hated FTM, and how you’re just an all-around boyband fan, I can somewhat understand how your perceptions would differ from my own.
I like the old stuff and the new stuff. The guys put their hearts into this music, and I think they did an outstanding job.
I am sorry you can’t see that. I agree with what the others have said. If you no longer consider yourself a fan, give your ticket to a true blockhead.
We don’t need haters.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 AM
what the fuck happened here?
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 AM
So to be a real fans is to take any garbage from an artist no matter what? From a boys band that marked the pop industry as they did, real fans should have expected an album better than the usual mediocre junk they serve you all the time but of course it’s easier to take whatever crap they give you so you can keep thinking you are a hardcore fan. Hardcore fans are such good sheeps
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:18 AM
And honestly, I would consider Britney a much better fan than any of you. Just for the fact that NKOTB will never be remembered for what they are right now but what they used to be in the late ’80s. So better keep those sweet souvenirs and memories of NKOTB around and not encourage the crap they are releasing.
And on that I don’t mean that they need to release the exact same shit as they used to do but at least be a bit more innovative, creative and just simply just a bit more like they used to be….
Just my opinon.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Why did you even bother telling you think you were a fan. Newsflash fans don’t put they’re fav guys down. You can dislike it coz it’s your opinion, but the way you did….. Listen to the record again and if you still don’t like it. Hide!!!! Coz, you have no taste in music.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 AM
gl0balvizi0n, I would have to say that for a group that has not done music together in 15 years, the end product came out quite well. If this product came out from a group who has been putting out music constantly, I might be able to see your point of view. However, to call all the hard work they have been putting into this project is highly disrespectful. All the artists who have collaborated with them are treating the project with the exact same respect the fans give this group. Donnie is credited as songwriter in 80% of the album. They have a top notch record management company that believes in their reunion 110%. What exactly makes it, for the lack of a better word, “crap?”
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 PM
well all i can say is WTF!
When i to first heard the album i tought OMG,
didnt like it.
but being a true fan i listened to it again and again.
and now all i can say is awsome
I would have to totally agree with every one else
you can’t truthfully be a true fan, no true fan in there right mind would completely slate the boys off.
Yes everyone is entitled to there opinion and you certainly have had yours
but in my opinion you dont know what the hell your talking about
yes its not like there old stuff but for gods sake what the hell did you expect
that was the 90’s
and i think thats where your stuck!
WELL DONE NKOTB
AND WELCOME BACK
IT’S BEEN ALONG TIME COMING
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 PM
so help me jesus for stepping into this, but i have to say…
if a “true fan” can’t admit when a band put something shitty out, i don’t ever want to be one.
britney has been crazy about nkotb as long as i’ve known her, and has genuinely been looking forward to this album the whole time. i’d roll my eyes, but she always stuck to her guns. she wanted so bad to like this album, but she couldn’t brainwash herself into it just so she could keep calling herself a “true fan.”
and that’s why she’s a writer here. she’ll trash a band she loves if that’s what they deserve, and just the same i know she’d give a positive review if a band she totally hated surprised her with something good.
plus, she can spell way better than all you new edition loving neanderthals. bb4lyfe!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:46 AM
O….K.. hello were not 13 anymore~!!! Most old nkotb fans are in there late 20’s early 30’s( im 28)..I dont know about you but I have grown up snice then..The music they are singing now are for our age DUH…I LOVE the Cd… and think it is one of their best…. you can tell they worked really hard on it and it will… has paid off!!! So sell your tickets as popular as the concert is your get a decent amount maybe that will SHUT YOU UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Well everyone is entitled to their opinion. Isn’t everything subjective anyway? Maybe people are more upset with the way Britney said it than what she said. The only thing I don’t understand that much is that Britney really liked their old stuff as opposed to FTM, but then puts them down for stuff on The Block that sounds old-school/90s.
I do have to say, after listening to this album, that I’d like it better if they’d tone down all the themes about sex. Lyrics aside, I actually find most of the music on this album pretty catchy. And I love their vocals (especially the beginning of “Twisted,” and there’s one part in “Looking like Danger” where Jordan does a nice really high falsetto). My faves are:
Click, Click, Click
Single
Summertime
2 in the Morning
Stare at You
One Song
Officially Over
Close to You (exclusive only with iTunes purchase - still figuring out a way I can get this, because it’s a beautiful song. Currently on YouTube.)
For the songs I didn’t list, I really liked the music if not the lyrics.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Ugh. You are so right. The CD I got only has 13-14 songs on it. Good thing, I only had to waste $10 on it. Is it just me, or are the voices so synthesized that it is hard to even distinguish who is singing most of the time? I’ve listened to it 3 times, hoping it would get better, but it just really sucks and I wa SO looking forward to it. I will be about ready to pop (out a baby) when they tour my city, so I sadly passed on the concert tickets…and now I am actually glad. I’ve been to a dozen or so NKOTB concerts and would rather just stick with those old memories than have them trashed by who only knows what is to come. You would think with all of the years gone by, they could come up with a song that actually had some meaning or depth—or anything but NOOOOO…those songs have no substance and should I mention that the song w/ New Edition…I saw that and was all excited, until I heard it. WTF??? They should have just redone “Cool it Now” or something. They’d have been better off. What a complete and total let down. You can still LOVE NKOTB and have the opinion that their new stuff sucks. I think I am going to go dust of the 1st NKOTB album and listen to such guck as Popsicle or Angel to get me some “grown man” out of my head. I am so let down I could just cry.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Oh—
after reading some of the responses on your post, I would also just like to add that another reason I didn’t buy concert tickets is because the thought of the NKOTB fans…95% of which have serious ISSUES…the thought of being around all of them was enough to make me sick. Point proven by the wretched responses you got. You, Britney, are obviously in the 5%=normal people. Not the 95% freaks. Freaks that caused the whole demise and radio ban ok NKOTB in the first place, since they don’t know how to act. “Sign the petition”…? Ugh. NKOTB are awesome but this new release is exactly that: shit.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:08 PM
i have been a nkotb fan since I was 14 yrs old and now 35 yrs old and i disgree with the comment what this girl said. and she is an idiot and she she can still live in the 80’s. nkotb are grown up men why show they record the same kind of music that does not make sense and i have listed to the new album and as soon is i played i like most of the songs like click click, summertime,sexify my love and put it on my tab and dirty dancing. the nkotb sound are grown up and i like and I am glad they are the music reflect their growth and not the back in the day and i still like the old ablum.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Just wanted to add one more point: since when did New Kids have “deep” songs? Come on, their most popular and liked stuff, was feel-good music. It was nothing with a particularly deep meaning. Back then they made music that was popular at the time - and now, they’re doing it again. So to put them down now for not being “deep” doesn’t seem like a valid point to make.
And Christal, I’m not going to put you down for disliking the album - it’s your personal preference. But i felt like asking: did you not like ANY of the songs at all, not even one? I would have thought that “Officially Over” would be one that old New Kids fans would like, because it’s got an old-school beat to it, and catchy (not to mention clean) lyrics.
One of the gems I like the best are actually not included on the album (only if you buy the album from iTunes do you get it) called “Close to You.” It’s a very sweet song actually, and touching - plus you get some simple old New Kids harmonies.
Well anyway just wanted to throw an even-handed opinion in the mix.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Wow! Really! Hateful much?? I just think maybe you don’t like the genre of music the guys produce. They’re not children and they aren’t releasing bubble gum hits. I respect your opinion and my opinion is that it’s harsh. But, to each his own.
I hate PCD also. Can’t stomach them…never have been able to, but they guys sound great on this album. And, Lady Gaga is pretty good. Akon and Ne-Yo are strong voices to add to the mix.
Sorry you didn’t like it. I guess that will be more seats for the fans who do still love them and what they put out.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:48 AM
While the New Kids, their music and the rest of us have evolved and matured you’re still sleeping with your old New Kids’ sleeping bag? Maybe your problem with the last two albums is that they’re too mature for you.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I totally disagree with this album review. If you do your research and find out who was behind the music then you would understand. This artist wrote 7 of the NKOTB songs. His name is Nasri and he is an amazing artist.
List of songs he wrote for the NKOTB ALBUM “THE BLOCK”
CLICK CLICK CLICK
SUMMERTIME
SEXIFY MY LOVE
PUT IT ON MY TAB (FEAT AKON
STARE AT YOU
ONE SONG
CLOSE TO YOU (AVAILABLE ON ITUNES ONLY)
YOU CAN CHECK HIM ON MYSPACE AND SEE SOME OF HIS SONGS.
myspace.com/nasriworld
myspace.com/nasriworld
myspace.com/nasriworld
myspace.com/nasriworld
you can also check him on youtube or imeem.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:37 PM
People never cease to amaze me and this page is just one more classic example. I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but the one thing I can never understand is why some go out of their way to express their opinion in as destructive a way as possible. Isn’t enough to just express dislike towards something…apparently not! The other thing that drives me nuts is this idea that NKOTB has to be original or innovative today. They are who they are and you either accept them for who they are or who they aren’t. I don’t think anyone should ever become something their not just to appease those who think they should.
I was a fan of the NKOTB when I was younger and now I am 35 myself (male). Their vocals were never unbelievable IMHO, but I enjoyed their music and the memories from that era. I happen to really like this new album a lot. If I wanted to critique their vocals I suppose I could or I could just enjoy the music which I chose to do. Do I think their vocals are off the charts great? No, but I still appreciate the music and an opportunity to hear them again.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:24 AM
Sorry you didn’t like the album. Maybe going to see them in concert will help rebuild your love with NKOTB
Ryan@ Jamsbio
Attention New Kids on the Block fans:
Visit http://jamsbio.com/contest/nkotb and share your classic NKOTB memory by 9/18 for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the New Kids in the city of your choice on the band’s sold out reunion tour.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I was a little worried before I bought it. I thought, “What if now that I’m 35 I just don’t like it so much anymore?” However, I have to tell you that I’m kind of enjoying it really! In all honesty (total, brutal honesty because I heart Donnie so so much) the “Sexify My Love” title…not so great…but the song itself is quite good.
It is what it is. I think it’s probably pretty good for me because I’m so serious about everything else. I work with at-risk kids, am having trouble with my marriage, am trying to save the world from another four years of Republican rule…so for me…I need to lighten up, and this does it for me.
What fun! I might just kick off my big girl shoes and do the Roger Rabbit…:)
September 16th, 2008 at 9:38 AM
[...] fans are as horny as them. [Even a fan who claims to have been waiting 18 years for the new NKOTB can’t stand “Big Girl Now.”] We perused the lyrics of the iTunes top 5 songs for comparison—maybe pop music these days [...]
September 17th, 2008 at 5:55 AM
News Flash!
I love this CD
Next News Flash:
I hated the old NKOTB
i mean, i was never a fan, turned he station when they came on,
but i heard Single and had to find out more about it, then i found Summertime and loved it even more, then I stumbled on 2 In The Morning and knew i had to have the whole album, so off i went to find it
I have been listening to it for days now and i love it more each time
So of coarse i had to go check out their old stuff, to see why i never remembered about these guys before, and I hated it, i mean, huh, those are annoying songs
so the Kids have created a new fan with this album you hated so much
listen to it not as an old fan, but try and be someone who never heard their stuff long ago, and maybe just maybe, you may appreciate the album
I do keep trying to listen to the old stuff, keep wondering if i should try and force mtyself to love it, but I just can’t stand them… and their old look! omg! the high hair! LOL the men are now gorgeous and all grown up and have wonderful voices.
PS: to prove how not a fan i used to be, when i saw the video for single, I saw Ne- Yo and thought he is a smooth dancer, good looking guy and he stands out from he rest, then i looked up the NKOTB and realized he was only a guest on the song!
I had to look up what others thought of this album and here i am now… once again, try listening to this stuff and pretend you don’t know who it is from
serious songs are depressing, i want light hearted fun, and i get it with this album, stuff that makes me feel good and special
Officially Over - love the way this sounds…
September 17th, 2008 at 9:14 PM
you clearly dont like RnB so you wouldnt like this album. It is a great album - sexy sophisticated and yet still fun and reminiscent of the new kids we know and love. The fact that you mentioned GnR and Fiona Applegate mean you wouldnt like this genre anyway. I hope you do stay home and miss a great show!!! Summertime and Big Girl Now are the worse songs on the album but still descent. The others are GREAT. and Face The Music (1994) was also a great album - Diry Dawg, If You Go Away, Never Let You Go, and I’ll Still Be loving You - people you need to download these tracks!
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I wasn’t what you would call a big fan of theirs, when I was younger. I liked some of their songs, but never went crazy over them. I am 37 years old now and can honestly say that this is the best stuff they have ever done in my opinion. I am a lover of all kinds of music, so I give all kinds of music a chance. When I heard they were coming out with a new album, I decided to give it a chance and I am so glad I did. I really love it and have played it over and over, since the day I bought it. It’s a fun album to listen to and to dance to. I am a huge fan of R&B/Pop/Dance music and this is right up my alley! Here is my review of the album:
1. Click, Click, Click - This song reminds me of something that would have been out in the 70’s. I get a picture of them in my head on roller skates, skating around a room with disco balls turning. It’s a pretty good laid back song.
2. Single - This is a typical R&B/Dance song, that all the R&B artist are doing now. It’s a fun little song and NE-YO is featured on it and sounds great. This is a good slow dance tune. The New Kids sound really awesome together!
3. Big Girl Now - This is my favorite song on the album and features a new artist called Lady Gaga. I had never heard of her before, but on this song she sounds pretty good. This song has a great techno beat to it. It sounds like something Justin Timberlake, Pink and Gwen Stefani would have done together. You can tell Timberland helped with this album! I love the beat and it’s a great song to dance to!
4. Summertime - This is the closest thing to their original sound. This is a pretty good song. Very catchy and it’s a sing along kind of song. Good beach party type feel to it.
5. 2 In the Morning - It’s a very adult kind of song. Reminds me of a song Usher would do. Kind of a sexy sounding. It is an awesome song and I love it! It’s so catchy and a great slow dance kind of song. I thought the synthesized sound that they add to their voices sounded awesome! Just a beautiful little song
6. Grown Man - I don’t care for this one. I like the parts that the New Kids sing, but I can’t stand the Pussycat Dolls parts. It gets annoying to me after about a minute into it. They repeat the same thing over and over and the music gets on my nerves. It’s not a very long song, so that’s good.
7. Dirty Dancing - This is my second favorite song on the album. I love the music and the way they sing it. I love the line in the song “Oh you so crazy, she’s like Baby, I’m like Swayze” as you can tell it’s a reference to the Dirty Dancing movie. It’s a great song to dance to! It has lots of techno sounds and interesting vocal effects! I don’t know if you like the R&B dance sound, but this is right up that alley. You can tell that Timberland’s music style was a big influence on this album.
8. Sexify My Love - Another favorite song of mine. Good dance song. It is another awesome song, with a great beat. It’s very catchy and up-beat
9. Twisted - Another dance song. Not as good as the other ones on the album, but still good to dance along with. They repeat the word Twisted a little to much for me. It’s one of those songs that sounds like it was thrown together at the last minute, but still good to listen to. It wouldn’t be a number one hit for them.
10. Full Service - Another favorite of mine. New Edition was featured on it and they sound great on it. Another great dance song, that has a great R&B dance beat to it. New Edition and The New Kids sound great together. It’s a great mix of 2 great boy bands! I can hear this one being a huge hit in clubs
11. Lights, Camera, Action - A bit Britney Spears sounding. I can’t remember which song of hers this reminds me of, but it has that breathing sound like one of her songs has in it. I hate the girls voice in the begining, it sounds so fake. I’m not fond of the lyrics, but the beat is good to dance to.
12. Put It On My Tab - I love this one, because I really like the way Akon always adds something special to the songs he guest on. He has a very sexy Jamaican sounding voice and makes this kind of song sound awesome. It’s a simple song, but just sounds so great. If you are wandering what he is saying at the opening of the song, he’s saying “Red One, Konvict, The Block”!
13. Stare At You - This song is very slow and soft sounding. Not the best song on the album, but you can still enjoy it. I could hear the group 98 degrees doing this one. It’s a good song, even though it’s not got that hit single sound to it. The Irish band Westlife could re-due it and give it that hit single sound.
14. One Song - This song’s got that 80’s feel to it in the begining. It’s very catchy and another great dance club song. I like the sound of the piano in it. I like also that they use different things to chance the sound of their voice.
15. Don’t Cry - Very beautiful love song. It brought tears to my eyes, when I first heard it. It’s a great sounding song and they guys vocals are beautiful on it!
16. Officially Over - Sounds like a typical boyband song. It could have been on their album in the 80’s. It’s a fun sounding song, but sounds like it was just thrown together in a few minutes.
17. Looking Like Danger - This one reminded me of NSync. It’s got some great music and sounds cool in some parts of it. Basic boyband song. Another song that will sound great in a club.
Close to you, I haven’t heard yet.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Oh God…I don`t know what to say…I’ve just come from the store and bought the cd…some of these songs I have never heard before, except “Click click click” and “Summertime”….which I really like, though the first time I heard Click Click Click I didnt think it was specially a “good song”…but now i just love it…not as much as Summertime cause I guess this song is the resume of the whole NKOTB coming back…the best reminiscence to all those old and gone years where we used to love them and go crazy about them…
I`m a big fan and will always be…I will always run to a store to buy each album they release (if they ever do it again after this one), but that doesnt mean that deep inside my heart when I listen to a song I won’t be able to think “it’s no so good or should have been better”….or just “omg…this song sucks…they are so much better than this”, cause as all of the NKOTB I have grown bigger and older and at my 34 years old I just can`t start jumping just because my fave band has released a brand new song, cause now I do pay attention to lyrics and melody…
What I`m trying to say is that I understand Britney´s feeling cause it’s kind of what I am feeling right now listening to this cd by the first time…not quite the same, but very close to her feeling. I really wish some of these songs would have never been released in a NKOTB album, cause they actually…..s..suck…I’m more sorry than anyone of you when I write this ;~(
But it’s true.
To be honest, I was expecting a more adult sound…more deep and profound lyrics, I don`t wanna feel I have to chew a gum to give some sense to the songs while listening them…
And I know that like so many other times, when I get to listen to this album several times, I will start liking the sounds and the songs better and will finish singing them all the time till I get tired…Unfortunately I’m in Europe and the store where I bought it was not selling the Deluxe Edition, so I havent heard yet the bonus songs included in that cd…:( ….and I had to pay 21 euros for the simple edition ;~~(
I hope too they are working in reverse and begin first with the “light” (I would never use the word “shit” referirng to them…guess the fan in me would make me bite my own tongue before that) stuff and the “right stuff” is still to come. And I also hope, really really hope, next time (let it be a next time, pleaseee) they will work all alone, not featuring anyone at all…cause I wanna hear my old New Kids in an adult album, singing songs with real meaning with less doble sense with still a lot of childish and tenage words and tones, and singing the way I want them to sing and look now: like 30-40 hot but mature men…
NKOTB, for me no matter what, always the BEST….;~)))))
October 11th, 2008 at 5:50 PM
I have totally changed my mind…guess that is something will only happen to a true fan…I have been listening to the cd for a couple of hours and…I totally love it now <3….I respect any other one feelings….I know what is like…just give it a try, Britney and think of it like a fan, not like a critic of music of something like that….NKOTB…it’s them!!! that’s the only thing that matters to me….no matter if they sing for 4 minutes the words “shit”…..I will still love them….and if that makles me a stupid, I will be a happy stupid….;P
But seriously, some songs when you give them a second or third try…they’re pretty good…be patient!!!!!!
I <3 them…and that is the only fact I can’t help….:~~~DDDD
October 20th, 2008 at 6:24 AM
My poor girl, Britney, let me tell you that you suck! Face the music was a great album, but THE BLOCK is a #1 album! It think like the other s that you never really loved ‘em…or you don’t understand absolutely nothing about good music…listen to Paris Hilton dude!
October 20th, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Well, I’m not sorry that you don’t like the album. These men made an outstanding comeback after all of these years & I suggest you take in a concert or 2. The album is kick ass, as you can tell that they have matured & are appealing to “grown women” with their adult lyrics.Maybe you are a little young to say that you were truly an NKOTB fan, maybe you just followed in your older sister’s foot steps. Sorry for you honey!
October 29th, 2008 at 1:01 PM
“And to the NONBELIEVERS I say… Peace”
Sorry you don’t like the new music. It’s so NKOTB, and I love it…I picked it up after I went to the concert. I felt like a kid again with my best friend at the Cleveland show, yet thinking we (me, my BFF, all the other fans in the audience, and of course the guys) have been through so much- separately and together- and here we are. There’s a lot of life that has happened since the last time the group was together…
If you went to the show, I hope you enjoyed the experience, the magic, and the eye candy! If not, you truly missed out. Hope you give the CD a few more chances!
<>
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Bitter much?
Well, girl, you have had your say….
Well, I MUST say, you don’t sound like you were ever much of fan…!
Hoping to get a little notoriety of the New Kids backs are we?
Be controversial girl?
Well done!
I have The Block, am a REAL fan and think its amazing!
I have my favourite tracks and not so favourite tracks, which are growing on me…
Face The Music was of its time, but still holds up as a good sound today!
The boys have matured and so has their sound….
So fine, you don’t want to join the 2008 party?
Cool, you won’t be missed, but you are off course entitled to your opinion!
But jeez, even if you were the smallest type of fan, what on earth possessed you to write such a bitter review???
Need for it? I think not!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:55 AM
LA show was one of the tops for Donnie’s top 6 btw. shoulda took back what you said and went even though u don’t like the album. they at played the old stuff.