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The Block
EMAILPRINTby New Kids On The Block
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 43 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Interscope
Release Date: 02 September 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Pop
Summary
Fourteen years since their last studio record, the Kids are back with their newest album on the Interscope label.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
NOW Magazine
Surprisingly, it’s a light and catchy bunch of convincing hip-hop- and R&B-influenced Timberlake-esque club pop.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
While the New Kids are definitely capable of making a great album (seriously...if you’re an R&B or pop fan, go to a used record store or half.com and pick up a copy of 1994’s "Face the Music"--you’ll be very pleasantly surprised), this album is only great in spots.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
There's a lot to like on The Block, even if it doesn't stand a chance of being heard as anything so simple.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Most of The Block is a reasonable enough approximation of faceless club pop, complete with standard-issue guest stars (the Pussycat Dolls, Timbaland) and out-of-left-field rap bridges.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
The Block bears no distinguishing marks aside from a compulsion for sex, sex, sex with a lover whose name, apparently, is Girl.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Good or bad, everything here sounds like a lesser version of someone else.
Read Full Review >Hot Press
The catchiest tune on The Block is ‘Summertime’, and in dignity terms it’s Cohen-meets-Waits compared to their hyperactive teen-pop of old.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
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.
Read Full Review >Sputnikmusic
Like "Red Carpet Massacre," The Block is proof that it requires more than the best producers and songwriters to make good pop music
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 43 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This truly is a great album! A tremendous show of how they have matured and their music has as well. It's one great song after another. I have tricked my husband & friends by making them hear the songs before telling them who it's performed by and every one of them loved what they heard!
brad b gave it a10:
Incredible. Give these KIDS a chance.
G A. gave it an8:
It's been over the decade for me to wait for listening NKOTB's brand new album. I mean seriously, Jordan and Joe's solo album is good album but it's not NKOTB's. The Block actually it's a good one, compare to all previous album. Nice tune and enjoy to listen. But there are some flaws to have a 10 from me. Too much electric and vocal sync, additional artists that most of them don't give the value added (like PCD) and last, it seems that NKOTB have only a little bit self esteem about their musical talent so they have to invite so many "new musicians" so their music will sound to the up to date music. For a guy who has a guilty pleasure to sing or hum song like "My Favourite Girl", "Since You've Walked Into My Life" and "Games (The Remix)", "The Block" album just merely a nice comeback attempt for NKOTB. But for the next album (if there are any), I hope New Kids On The Block will gain their confidence about their musical talent and bring me a very own NKOTB's music. For now.., my humming will add the song "Stare at You". The last word for me at this moment, "Somebody said somebody would last too long, somebody will be going strong"
Rebecca L. gave it a10:
Love Them!!! The Block is Awesome just like NKOTB!!!
Kendra p. gave it a9:
I absolutely love The New Kids! All of their music is great and i went to their concert and they are amazing live... i dont think they could have a bad cd.
Jeffrey B. gave it a7:
Its just "OK". Seriously, Face the Music is still one of the best R&B/Pop albums around. Whether you like the New Kids or not, measure their careers on that album, because their other material doesn't even come close.
Kristen gave it a10:
The Block is completely amazing! I can not help but listen to it.... Every time i hear the songs I like them better than I did before. I saw the guys in Philly and in Atlantic City and what entertainers they are. The music and the "men" are so much hotter!
