This One's For The Fans
Can you believe it? Over 5 years ago the new kids called it quits but with a greatest hits album out and 2 of the old members climbing the charts with their solo albums, NKOTB fans have to be thrilled to see their idols once again. And about this album- it's a must have for any truly devoted NKOTB fan out there. It has 14 of their greatest including their three #1 hits- "Step By Step", "Hangin' Tough" and "I'll Be Loving You(Forever)." And of course who could forget that wonderful classic song that should have made it to #1- "You Got It(The Right Stuff)". And while you're checking out whats new from the new kids be sure to get their greatest hits video which includes 10 videos and 3 live performances. 1999 must be the year NKOTB have dreamed of since 1994-well this year's for the fans.
5 stars for Nostalgia
I remember the good ole days...when pop music was poppy and boy bands were...well their was only one boy band and it was called New Kids On The Block. I was in love with their music and thought Jordan Knight was "a major babe", that was when I was in the fourth grade. I would watch the Hangin Tough video and dance along with the boys. I would watch the Right Stuff video and I would be so envious of the girls in the video...I wanted to be in their position. But what about their talent? Well when I received this CD two weeks ago as a gift, I was hesitant...after all I remember in 1993-4 when the "NKOTB" went hard-core, it burst my little junior high bubble and I vowed never to like them again. I immediately tore down all the posters, buttons, dolls, apparel, blankets, etc. My little heart was crushed. In the coming years I did not want to talk about the New Kids because I felt so embarrased by their sudden change. That memory came back when I went to play the CD. With my Jewel, DMB, and Alanis albums, the New Kids seemed so odd and out of place. I immediately wanted to hear Step by Step. The BEST song they ever performed. I loved it back then and to my surprise, I still love it to this day. It is the one song where their vocals are solid and strong, not faded or weak like in the others. I love the musical arrangement of the strings, it really helped them as opposed to the synthiser sounds of "I'll be loving you forever" I saw that "Tonight" was on the CD, and I could not place that song in my memory, yet I remember I absolutely loved that song. I loved that song like kids like the lame N'Sync songs of today...I played the song and the chorus consisted of "Tonight...Tonight...Tonight...Tonight" I fell to the floor in laughter, how could that lack of solid lyrics be one of my favorites? The rest of the song, like the main depth of the New Kids songs, were cliche and trite lyrics, but it made an 8 year old girl very happy at the time... So why I would not give 5 stars to the albums sheer talent and great sound, I rate it 5 stars for the sheer memories of loving my first celebrity crush.
brings back memories!!!
Even though myself and music choice has changed several times, I absolutely loved nkob in the early 90s. i was 9 or 10. i think if they were around now they would have more fans then backstreet boys or nsync (who both i cant stand)ever had. i saw a E! interview with nkob and it totally brought back my memories. from tees and huge buttons to posters and bed sets to belts and charm bracelets with all their beautiful faces on the hearts. i was singing along to the music as my fiance looks at me like im crazy. i had a blast. i just finished downloading all my favorite songs especially please dont go girl. little joey was adorable!!! if your a young adult beginning your teens you definatly have to get their music. you too will love nkob as much as the thousands did years ago. you really have to feel the same when you hear their music. thats exactly what it was talented kids having a blast making the best music ever!!!!
I actually saw the video for "Hangin' Tough" on VH1 Classic the other day, and while finding it amusing (in a "this is totally awful" kind of way), it reminded me of the roots of what I consider the beginning of the last big downfall of pop music. Between seeing that video and unfortunately being exposed to this "greatest" hits album a while back brings me to a rare highly negative review.Just like I blame Nirvana for ruining the spirit and sound of rock music for a number of years, I have to blame these guys for beginning the downfall of pop music around the same timeframe. While it actually took several years after these goofballs were popular for such fare as Backstreet Boys and N'Sync to take over pop music, this group to me is the root of the hideous "boy band" trend that has only died down in the past couple of years or so.
What is there to like about these guys? Nothing. No musical talent and insepid songs sung by pretty boys who want to be sex objects to teenage girls best describes this act. Slow songs like "Please Don't Go Girl" and "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" are so high-pitched and sugary sweet that listening to them induces hives and/or vomitting. "Cover Girl" is a "love song" that 13 year olds will likely find immature. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" is probably the catchiest song here--but it is still incessantly annoying after a while. And most laughable is the aforementioned "Hangin' Tough", which is about as believable coming from these guys as Fidel Castro would be giving a speech on free society.
Throw this crap in the trash and go get some real music in your life (Def Leppard, Heart, Bon Jovi, and Tom Petty come to mind from that era if you are most concerned about big hits). I can think of hundreds of acts (pop and rock) that deserved (but didn't get) more airtime than these clowns.
Open message to all boy band members such as these buffoons--please do one of the following:
1) Learn to sing something besides airheaded, empty pop garbage with the substance of cotton candy.
2) Learn to actually write music/lyrics of your own (that is hopefully better than this crap).
3) Learn to actually play a musical instrument to the point that you can actually play it live.
4) Best advise of all, since the above isn't likely: GET OUT! Bananas have a longer shelf life than you do.
Very dynamite album!
I liked this album! Long overdue when it came out in 1999! I thought the New Kids on the Block got better as they did each album! It was a growth pattern the way I see it. From Joey McIntyre's high falsetto on "Please Don't Go Girl" to the more challenging "Step By Step", they were a hitmaking force. Donnie Wahlberg's outgoing style and Jordan Knight's famous falsettos along with the other members made them a hot group. Their different personalities were what I liked about them. I didn't get all the advertising and T-shirts--I was more into their music. I think that it has really benefited their more current careers, with Jordan Knight still performing, Joey McIntyre with his solo career, Donnie's acting, Danny Wood's solo career, and Jon Knight's own thing too. They set the tone to what Backstreet and NSYNC are doing now with the five-member concept. I still like Please, I'll Be Loving You, This One's For the Children, Hangin' Tough, If You Go Away, Valentine Girl, Call It What You Want and others. Most music historians don't want to give this group credit. I think they were a superb group for its time and that they should play their old hits more on the radio stations. This album just reflects on that grand period where they dominated charts, had sold out tours and just had fun doing it!
