CD Review: New Kids on the Block
The Block
By Caitlin Brown | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Do you remember when you first started hearing about boy bands? When people of our generation hear the term “boy band,” we almost immediately relate that phrase to the pop sensations of the late 1990s, such as the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.
However, way before the teenybopper phase that some of us went through, New Kids on the Block existed as one of the original five-member pop boy bands. Many of our peers have no idea who NKOTB is. Some only know them through LFO’s famous “Summer Girls” with the lyrics “New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits, Chinese food makes me sick.”
The New Kids on the Block actually formed in 1984, way before the Backstreet Boys gained popularity in 1996. Their second album Hangin’ Tough (1988) and their third album Step by Step (1990) both reached number one in the US and the UK.
In 1990, they won two American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Hangin’ Tough. They broke up in 1994, and though several attempts were made to arrange a reunion, none of them went through.
After 14 years, the Kids are attempting a comeback with their new album The Block, released Sept. 2. The real problem with this is the fact that the Kids have stuck to their original sound and lyrical content.
The members of the NKOTB range in age from 35 to 39, and are still singing as if they’re 20. In their single “Summertime,” they try to create a new summer love anthem. In the song “Single,” they sing that if a pretty lady is single and at the club, she doesn’t need to go home alone that night. The fact that Ne-Yo sings on this track almost distracts me from the thought of middle-aged men pursuing young women at clubs.
The other guest artists are the Pussycat Dolls on the track “Grown Man,” chanting “Wanna go to a party?”
This album from the New Kids on the Block did not do much for a reinvention, and definitely are starting to seem more like creepy old men than pop superstars.
We’re used to this…so don’t worry everyone. The fact is NKOTB has a sold out tour. The fact is it’s 20 years later and they still got it. So bring the haters on. I was at the Montreal show and there was something in the air that night. It was big. And undeniable.
The reviewer is a Block hater that cannot judge the work objectively.
Step aside for the fans that are happy to have them back together, loving their music and concerts.
I think if you listen to each of the New Kids cd’s you’d see a natural progression. It’s not the same sound and lyrical content at all.
I also think you need to listen to The Block again because you didn’t even get the right message from Summertime or Single.
Is Flagler College even a real college?
See… what does the above comment have to do with anything? It doesnt…so why would you include personal shots about the artists (calling them creepy old men) in a review of their cd? Doesn’t make sense!
If your going to review music, stick to talking about the music ! It shouldn’t matter the age or looks of the artist if you truly care about music.
I think it is pretty safe to say the Backstreet Boys DID have the same level of success-with almost 100 million CDs sold, they remain the top selling pop group. As far as “comeback”? The Backstreet Boys never really went away, with music produced every 2-5 years. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE NKOTB’s new album, but I also loved the Backstreet Boys’ new album. But Backstreet is NEVER going to produce an album like NK’s latest-why? New Kid’s album is full of very sexually explicitly lyrics and unless Brian Littrell drops out of Backstreet-they simply won’t go the same direction. I love the fact that Backstreet maintains this standard and manages to have mature lyrics without being vulgar.
Did you even listen to the whole album? A lot of work went into this and I think it’s fabulous. I just saw them in concert 2 days ago in Boston and it was phenomenal. They have worked hard and the show was better than the original one I attended back in 1991. The fans are still out there and hopefully this new album will give birth to a whole new generation of fans. They’re good guys, hard working, and deserve some praise for once.
This album it’s amazing!!!! did you get paid to make a bad review!!! Did you really listen to the songs???? This new songs are great they are reinventing themselves but at the same time keeping the escence of the group. Back Street Boys wisht to have the succes they had and the the succes they are having with their come-back. Shame on your review
Ok, first of all Summertime is about remembering a love from the summer of 88 not creating a new summer love. Single is about telling a single girl she doesn’t have to be alone while the song is on, not about going home with her. Before you say they haven’t changed their style or lyrical content, maybe you should listen to the old stuff.
See, I’m 29 and was part of the NKOTB generation and Please Don’t Go Girl and I’ll be Loving You Forever sound nothing like 2 in the Morning and Stare at You.
The Right Stuff sounds nothing like Twisted.
They’ve grown and they are still extremely hot and talented. Not many American men in their 30′s can say that. I agree with Rana, good music is good music regardless of age.
Sure they’re older…but they still are amazing in their harmonies and talent, and I dont think they should feel obligated to change their original style just because they got older. I’m 19 and saying that. lol
But hell I see what you’re saying…for example, if *Nsync were to reunite (and Lance actually said recently on Access Hollywood that they will once Justin slows down on his solo career–so Justin better slow his ass down fast…lol) , they would re-invent themselves, and they did with each album when they were together. They always added a little something new to it and kept witht the times while keeping their original style. So it just depends on the way you look at it, I guess. Either way, good music is good music, no matter how old the artist singing it is.