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BLACK & BLUE THE BOYS' BEST EFFORT SO FAR
Source: Sandra Sperounes, Journal Music Writer The
Edmonton Journal Best tracks: Get Another Boyfriend, Everyone Rating: *** If you've listened to Black & Blue a million times, you might not want to read this review. You've already picked your favorite songs, figured out all the lyrics and memorized the six pages of liner notes. Why bother letting some stupid music critic infuriate you by dissing the infallible Backstreet Boys? Surprise! Apart from the sappy ballads and the overuse of stomping beats on Max Martin's dance numbers, I'd say Black & Blue is Backstreet's best effort by far. It won't win any awards for creativity or intellectual depth, but it's head and shoulders above 'N Sync's No Strings Attached or Oops! ... I Did It Again by Britney Spears. For one, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean don't seem to rely as heavily on the cute digitized vocal effects used by 'N Sync and Spears. As a result, the Backstreet Boys and their songs actually sound like they're maturing. (It's about time -- Black & Blue is their fourth album.) Get Another Boyfriend, for example, features a few dark, rough vocals before the usual high-pitched chorus kicks in. But even then, the boys sound more like Michael Jackson than Mickey Mouse knock-offs. (That's supposed to be a compliment.) In the not-so-complimentary department, the Florida Five still have some work to do on their songwriting. Of the five tracks written in part or entirely by the Backstreet Boys, only the up-tempo numbers --The Answer To Our Life and Shining Star -- stand out. The other three -- Time, Yes I Will and How Did I Fall In Love With You -- are flat and predictable ballads, aimed solely at manipulating the hearts of their fans. Then again, most of the slow songs on Black & Blue are far from knockouts -- even I Promise You (With Everything I Am), written by Canada's own Dan Hill. If only the Backstreet Boys would swear off the ballads instead.
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