Never Gone
by Backstreet Boys
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Jun 14, 2005
Metascore
40

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Never Gone [is] a solid adult contemporary album, which will please both BSB diehards and the dwindling ranks who wish that the glory days of Jon Secada never ended, but its relative strength does highlight one problem with the album: this kind of music doesn't sound quite as convincing when delivered by a group of guys as it does by one singer.
  2. E! Online
    50
    Even if they aren't Never Gone, their inspiration certainly is.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    This corny comeback is hardly a triumphant return. [24 Jun 2005, p.165]
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  5. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    50
    Lest you doubted it, this is grotesque.
  6. Blender
    40
    Never Gone's rock ballads are painfully and sometimes powerfully earnest demands for meaning and redemption. [Aug 2005, p.108]
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  7. PopMatters
    20
    What stops the Backstreet Boys from being any fun is, I think, their inability/refusal to wink at their audience.
  8. Rolling Stone
    20
    The Backstreet men rarely accelerate beyond a mid-tempo thud. [16 Jun 2005, p.100]
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Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed Album of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 107
  3. Negative: 39 out of 107
  1. TiffL
    Dec 8, 2005
    7
    After taking a five year hiatus, the Backstreet Boys are back with a new album sounding a little older but wiser. Appropriately named, Never After taking a five year hiatus, the Backstreet Boys are back with a new album sounding a little older but wiser. Appropriately named, Never Gone, this album shows a lot of growth that the Backstreet boys have done. I saw appropriately named Never Gone because they might… Full Review »
  2. KRSONMar
    Mar 15, 2011
    9
    I've listened to all of the Backstreet Boys albums,and this one is possibly their best,depending on how one views Millenium.Their sound hereI've listened to all of the Backstreet Boys albums,and this one is possibly their best,depending on how one views Millenium.Their sound here is more mature but still melodic and pleasant,rather than the heavily-electronic dance music their most recent two albums have been.They've clearly shed their poppy roots and are embracing adulthood here,but while I found the tone of it somewhat unsure of itself,it wasn't ever **** or trying too hard to prove itself.The Boys teamed up with popular adult contemporary composers and artists they admired,like Darren Hayes from Savage Garden and one of the members of Train,to create a more adult contemporary style that embraced a very different set of sounds than their previous albums;whereas their previous releases had had a fair amount of electronic melodies mixed in with some light acoustic sounds,this one went almost entirely acoustic,and the new palette of sounds is refreshing.The Backstreet Boys always had the advantage over their competition in that they could actually sing,and this album allows them to show that,instead of their vocal talents takiing second fiddle to hooks and catchy choruses.The subject matter is also more mature this time around;now,instead of singing about teenage love,they sing about the world post-September 11th and a Poster Girl who likes to hook up in elevators in front of the security cameras.Overall,this was a mature effort by the band,who had outgrown their poppy days,but more recently have returned,unfortunately,to meaningless lyrics and studio editing instead of relying on their actual talent.… Full Review »
  3. MichelleM.
    Feb 3, 2008
    10
    The Backstreet Boys are the best. Their cd, Never Gone ruled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will always be a BSB fan.
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