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Black & Blue
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Black & Blue Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

Top Track

Shape Of My Heart
Hmm, yeah, yeah Baby, please try to forgive me Stay here, don't put out the glow Hold me now don't bother if every minute it makes me weaker You can... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    80
    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.
  2. Billboard
    70
    Beyond ballads, "Black & Blue" crackles with funk-inflected uptempo ditties that are notable for their rough edges.
  3. Wall of Sound
    63
    Surprisingly and disappointingly tame.
  4. Rolling Stone
    60
    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.
  5. Sonicnet
    50
    Back-to-church-basement harmonies and familiar pledges of eternal devotion.
  6. Checkout.com
    50
    Black & 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.
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Dot Music
    50
    Unfortunately, over a third of the songs on this album are ballads, and most of them are fillers at that.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. KortneyJ
    Feb 14, 2004
    10
    I love this cd! I love all the songs! This is a great cd for a BSB fan.
  2. MaryS.
    May 14, 2005
    10
    Amazing...I'm going to love them forever
  4. brital
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    It is a great album... By far one of my favourites...
  5. ChelesaA
    May 1, 2006
    8
    You have to be a true Backstreet fan and know what they went thorugh to create this album. yes it doesnt compare to the others but it still You have to be a true Backstreet fan and know what they went thorugh to create this album. yes it doesnt compare to the others but it still sounds like backstreet. They made this album for us to enjoy. If you dont like it oh well... some other s may and its what they are into.… Expand
  6. Ryan
    Mar 28, 2002
    6
    Amazing combination of ballads and upbeat songs. I really like the ballad It's True and the song Answer to Our Life. But going back to Amazing combination of ballads and upbeat songs. I really like the ballad It's True and the song Answer to Our Life. But going back to the basic formula of cheesiness isn't really cool. Bad move.… Collapse
  7. MattM
    Jul 7, 2002
    5
    I really liked the single "Shape Of My Heart" so I bought the album. It's very disappointing in most respects. The upbeat pop standards I really liked the single "Shape Of My Heart" so I bought the album. It's very disappointing in most respects. The upbeat pop standards are all that work on this album. The ballads are really sticky and incredibly sappy. The guys are all very talented, but their material needs to be better.… Expand
  8. MattM.
    Jul 28, 2001
    4
    The album's pop standards are catchy and fun, but the ballads are overly cheesy and could put Michael Bolton to shame. Not a musical The album's pop standards are catchy and fun, but the ballads are overly cheesy and could put Michael Bolton to shame. Not a musical success by any means.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2000
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2000

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