The Block
by New Kids on the Block
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  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.
  5. 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.
  6. Slant Magazine
    50
    The Block falters when the New Kids try to have it both ways.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Observer Music Monthly
    40
    Proficient and predictably salacious.
  10. Dot Music
    40
    Good or bad, everything here sounds like a lesser version of someone else.
  11. 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.
  12. AllMusic
    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.
  13. 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

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 48
  3. Negative: 7 out of 48
  1. JeffreyB.
    Nov 29, 2008
    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 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.… Full Review »
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jun 12, 2009
    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. 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 »
  3. bradb
    Mar 18, 2009
    10
    Incredible. Give these KIDS a chance.
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