The Block - New Kids on the Block
The Block Image
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Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: Fourteen years since their last studio record, the Kids are back with their newest album on the Interscope label.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Believe it or not, though, they've got the right stuff.
  2. 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.
  3. Surprisingly, it’s a light and catchy bunch of convincing hip-hop- and R&B-influenced Timberlake-esque club pop.
  4. 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.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. 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! Expand
  2. 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" Expand
  3. JeffreyB.
    7
    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. Expand
  4. SeanP.
    2
    Believe it or not, the LA Times really is a crappy newspaper. I mean it. I used to read it.

See all 33 User Reviews