It seems the question surrounding this record is whether or not it will break NSYNC’s one- week album sales record previously held by the Backstreet Boys. I’m not sure if that record will ever be beat, but when it comes down to it, this album doesn’t have a huge single like “Bye Bye Bye”.
Black & Blue has a matured sounded, but don’t they still want to lead pop radio? This album often sounds ready for adult contemporary and easy listening stations. Obviously absent are the huge dance hits that bolstered Backstreet to superstardom. This is so much more mellow and laid back. The intimate nature can do one of two things: make the fans feel closer to the group or make this album disappear because it does lack that real groove that could keep it in the single charts for weeks or months even.
It’s not daring to say that the guys, um, boys, have a great vocal chemistry. If they didn’t, these songs would fall flat on them. Take a song like “Time” which features Babyface. The odd thing is that Backstreet wrote the song and Babyface produced it. Odd because Babyface is one of the more deft writers out there, so this shows that the Backstreet Boys are looking to their futures away from just singing. Writing isn’t only where the real money is, but this will allow them to prove to the world that their talent exceeds singing and dancing.
You’ve surely heard the first single, “Shape Of My Heart”. It works, but doesn’t quite shine like the spirited “I Promise You (With Everything That I Am)”. The album rolls out with consecutive ballads such as “Yes I Will”, “It’s True”, and “How Did I Fall In Love With You”. It’s surprising how each song gradually gets better.
With all of the ballads come a few tracks to move you more than just emotionally. Perhaps the sweetest is “Shining Star”, but don’t miss tracks like “Get Another Boyfriend”, “Everyone”, and “The Call”.
Without editorializing too much, I’ll say that the maturity was coming. If you thought the Backstreet Boys were going to sing about puppy love forever just because they’re called boys then you haven’t been paying attention. Two of them are married, and with members that are fifteen years older than their average fan, you have to expect more and more changes to come. Whether this is a step to their future showing their more soulful sides, I don’t know. It is obvious that both personally and professionally the Backstreet Boys have grown. It’s up to you to decide if you want to take the ride with them.
+ rae gun
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