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The Block - New Kids on the Block
Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
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  1. Los Angeles Times
    100
    Believe it or not, though, they've got the right stuff.
  2. NOW Magazine
    60
    Surprisingly, it's a light and catchy bunch of convincing hip-hop- and R&B-influenced Timberlake-esque club pop.
  3. PopMatters
    60
    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.
  4. The A.V. Club
    58
    There's a lot to like on The Block, even if it doesn't stand a chance of being heard as anything so simple.
  5. Slant Magazine
    50
    The Block falters when the New Kids try to have it both ways.
  6. Billboard
    50
    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.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    The Block bears no distinguishing marks aside from a compulsion for sex, sex, sex with a lover whose name, apparently, is Girl.
  8. Dot Music
    40
    Good or bad, everything here sounds like a lesser version of someone else.
  9. Observer Music Monthly
    40
    Proficient and predictably salacious.
  10. Hot Press
    40
    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.
  11. All Music Guide
    30
    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.
  12. Sputnikmusic
    30
    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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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 3 out of 33
  1. [Anonymous]
    10
    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!… Full Review »
  2. bradb
    10
    Incredible. Give these KIDS a chance.
  3. GA.
    8
    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"… Full Review »
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