Several '80s references turn up, as in "Swayze," a clever reference to the movie "Dirty Dancing," and the single "Summertime," which openly courts nostalgia. But the now old kids don't have to look back to make a connection. A cut like "2 in the Morning," with its airy Marvin Gaye allusion, has the kind of melody that proves they've once again got the right stuff.
Several '80s references turn up, as in "Swayze," a clever reference to the movie "Dirty Dancing," and the single "Summertime," which openly courts nostalgia. But the now old kids don't have to look back to make a connection. A cut like "2 in the Morning," with its airy Marvin Gaye allusion, has the kind of melody that proves they've once again got the right stuff.
| New Kids on the Block | Primary Artist, Background Vocals |
| New Edition | Background Vocals, Guest Appearance |
| Hakim Abdulsamad | Various |
| Teddy Riley | Background Vocals, Guest Appearance |
| Donnie Wahlberg | Group Member |
| Joe Wolfe | Keyboards |
| Jerome "Jroc" Harmon | Various |
| Jonathan Knight | Group Member |
| Jordan Knight | Group Member |
| Danny Wood | Group Member |
| Emanuel Kiriakou | Keyboards |
| Fernando Garibay | Various |
| Joey McIntyre | Group Member |
| Aaron Pearce | Various |
| The Pussycat Dolls | Background Vocals |
| Ne-Yo | Guest Appearance |
| RedOne | Background Vocals, Various |
| Adam Messinger | Various |
| Nasri Atweh | Background Vocals |
| Joaquin Bynum | Background Vocals |
| Rickrock | Various |
| Hakim Abdulsamad | Producer, Engineer, Audio Production, Instrumentation |
| Jimmy Iovine | Executive Producer |
| Teddy Riley | Producer, Engineer, Audio Production |
| Donnie Wahlberg | Programming, Producer, Executive Producer |
| Jerome "Jroc" Harmon | Producer, Instrumentation |
| Timbaland | Producer, Audio Production |
| Perry Geyer | Engineer |
| Gene Grimaldi | Mastering |
| Julian Peploe | Art Direction |
| Chris Godbey | Engineer |
| Martin Kierszenbaum | Executive Producer |
| Emanuel Kiriakou | Programming, Producer, Engineer, Audio Production |
| Rick Rock | Producer, Instrumentation |
| Fernando Garibay | Arranger, Programming, Producer, Engineer, Audio Production, Instrumentation |
| Chris Billias | Engineer |
| Matty Green | Engineer |
| Akon | Audio Production |
| Aaron Pearce | Producer, Engineer, Audio Production, Instrumentation |
| Zukhan Bey | drum programming |
| Aliaune "Akon" Thiam | Producer |
| Benjamin Chang | Engineer |
| Keith Gretlein | Engineer |
| Jared Paul | Management |
| Ne-Yo | Producer, Audio Production |
| Tom Syrowski | Engineer |
| Paul Orescan | Marketing |
| Tony Terrebonne | Engineer |
| Jeremy Page | Engineer |
| RedOne | Programming, Producer, Audio Production, Instrumentation |
| Atozzio Towns | Vocal Producer |
| Lady Gaga | Composer |
| Janelle Lopez | Management |
| Adam Messinger | Producer, Engineer, Audio Production, Vocal Producer, Instrumentation |
| Nasri Atweh | Producer, Audio Production, Vocal Producer |
| Kristen Foster | Publicity |
| Adida Kavarro | Producer |
| Skye Lewin | Engineer |
| Tyler Thurmond | Programming |
| Rickrock | Audio Production |
| Polow da Don | Producer, Audio Production |
This is an AWESOME CD! I've seen them in concert 3 times (before their break-up). I had the dolls, those BIG buttons, t-shirts--you name it! <BR/><BR/>I pre-ordered this album as soon as I heard it was coming out and was available for pre-order! I have tickets to see them in concert in January 2009--needless to say I am a fan!<BR/><BR/>Seriously though, this album is great! 'Stare at You' is my absolute favorite song on this album! 'Dirty Dancing' gets my kids singing along to it. 'Click, Click, Click' is GREAT! <BR/><BR/>Like their previous songs, the ones on this album give meaning to the former fans of today. They are updated and still have a sound for the younger generations.<BR/><BR/>Check it out!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Beckaroo81
Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This album really is amazing...and addicting! While it is a definite shock to hear the guys singing about sex, and it took me a few runs of listening to the CD to get used to this, once you get past the fact that we're no longer little kids listening to cute boys singing about puppy love you'll really enjoy this! It's been the staple CD in my car for 2 straight months (and I drive a lot!)
One thing I do agree with in the editorial review though is the overwhelming amount of guest artists. It seemed a bit excessive to me. "Grown Man" and "Big Girl Now" are the only ones I feel are necessary for guest vocals, and they do it well, but the others I think would be better with just the guys and no extras.
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
You will not be disappointed! I love this album more than their old stuff!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.estelleNY
Posted October 1, 2010
I have to totally disagree with the editorial review. This was probably written by a NKOTB hater from back in the day. If you were a New Kids fan in the 90's, you will love their new music. Yes, it's R&Bish and I'm not a huge fan of R&B, but I am of New Kids. Saw them in their current tour twice now and plan on going again this summer. They have some GREAT songs including TWISTED - my favorite! And they have always been pop. I don't see this album as too much different than the others except now they sing about sex!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mereMW
Posted October 1, 2010
I took it out of the libary and I just had to have it because it is such anwesome CD.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I also got the 17-song deluxe album. It's equally as strong with the additional 4 songs! They smartly keep the songs within the 3 to 3 1/2 minute range " excluding the one over 4 minutes" , but you can't beat the infectiousness and catchiness of the tracks! The hooks and choruses are undeniably addictive. Single easily has their best harmonies, especially on the chorus. I have played 10 of the tracks more than once the past 10 days or so! For longtime fans, this is a treat. For people who are hearing New Kids for the first time " after overplaying the new Jonas Brothers CD for the 56th time" , this is your chance to hear a longtime pop group from Boston get its respect due again in the music scene. The Block is BACK!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
The Music is outstanding, The Songs are amazing, They made a perfect transition to sound like a lot of new artists out now... its simply enjoyable for old and new fans alike
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 20, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 12, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 11, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 24, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 19, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted June 16, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2008
No text was provided for this review.
Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The problem facing New Kids on the Block on their 2008 reunion The Block is the same one they had on their last album, 1994's Face the Music: the quintet are no longer kids and don't quite know how to be adults. That dilemma drove them apart back in 1994, as the group stumbled away from their clumsy stab at hip-hop on Face the Music, remembered chiefly for embarrassments like "Dirty Dawg" where the boys tried to be gangsta, as that was the style of the time. Fourteen years later, NKOTB are none the wiser, restyling themselves to fit into current trends and piling on guest artists by the dozens. Coming off the heels of the astounding multi-platinum success of ...