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The Block

EMAILPRINTby New Kids On The Block

New Kids On The Block reviews
51
8.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 41 votes
Read user comments
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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.

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...

100

Los Angeles Times

Believe it or not, though, they've got the right stuff.

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60

NOW Magazine

Surprisingly, it’s a light and catchy bunch of convincing hip-hop- and R&B-influenced Timberlake-esque club pop.

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60

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.

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58

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.

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50

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.

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50

Slant Magazine

The Block falters when the New Kids try to have it both ways.

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42

Entertainment Weekly

The Block bears no distinguishing marks aside from a compulsion for sex, sex, sex with a lover whose name, apparently, is Girl.

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40

Observer Music Monthly

Proficient and predictably salacious.

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40

Dot Music

Good or bad, everything here sounds like a lesser version of someone else.

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40

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.

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30

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.

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30

Sputnikmusic

Like "Red Carpet Massacre," The Block is proof that it requires more than the best producers and songwriters to make good pop music

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 41 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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!

Avery B. gave it an8:
When I was young, I hated this group. But at the time they were on MTV (I know how weird MTV playing actual music) so I had little choice at the time but to listen. I wanted to be as objective as I could and listen to the entire album. I have to say, even for someone who does not like this music; they did a good job. Their fans will be very happy. I can remember all the screaming my sister did when we were kids. I bet they bring that kind of happiness to their fans again. Summertime is the high light of this album.

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