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Surprisingly and disappointingly tame.
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So, the ballads are smoother than ever, and their dance numbers hit harder, all in an attempt to keep their throne. It works, even if it takes a couple spins before you can discern the future singles and even if there is a bit of filler on the record, since the Backstreets' material isn't just stronger than that of their peers, but their voices are stronger, all adding up to teen pop that is unquestionably the state of the art.
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The sound has changed little, and the level of emoting none. Still, thunderous grooves such as Everyone and Shining Star continue to be virtually irresistible, while the quieter moments, including the hit single Shape Of My Heart will wow the ladies and the more sensitive gents for a while yet
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Lacking 'N Sync's tireless dancing talents or Britney's demented fashion sense, the Boys still harmonize as well as the faceless background singers who prop up lesser pop puppets.
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Back-to-church-basement harmonies and familiar pledges of eternal devotion.
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Unfortunately, over a third of the songs on this album are ballads, and most of them are fillers at that.
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Black & Blue merely maintains a holding pattern, recycling their past and doing little to establish a firm future.
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Beyond ballads, "Black & Blue" crackles with funk-inflected uptempo ditties that are notable for their rough edges.
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As works of art go, it isn't exactly Blood on the Tracks, and it isn't as blissfully fine as Millennium, but Black & Blue is unquestionably the most seamless boy band release of the year.
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Checkout.comBlack & Blue finds the Boys traveling all-too-familiar prefab-pop terrain (production-wise, it's the sonic twin of teen queen Britney's most recent effort), with overwhelmingly forgettable results.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 65 out of 79
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Mixed: 4 out of 79
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Negative: 10 out of 79
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ChelesaAMay 1, 2006
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britalNov 17, 2005It is a great album... By far one of my favourites...
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MaryS.May 14, 2005Amazing...I'm going to love them forever