Ann 2
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JennYBackstreet Boys - This Is Us Album Review
October 18th 2009 22:15
Genre: R&B, dance-pop, synth pop
Label: Jive
When the Backstreet Boys proclaimed in their 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet's Back)” that “as long as there'll be music, [they'll] be coming back again,” few took the line seriously. But twelve years later, you have to wonder how they managed to still be here when every other boyband have crashed and burned in the early 2000s (New Kids On The Block faded before the Backstreet Boys even came into existence so I'm not counting them in that lot). There's a simple explanation for that: the Backstreet Boys are simply the best in their category. After several worldwide hits that even my mom know the lyrics to, the Boys (or shall we say “men?”) are back with their seventh album This Is Us
, a throwback to their dance-pop early years. The first single, Straight Through My Heart, opens the album and is arguably the record's best track. Produced by RedOne (the mastermind behind Lady Gaga and New Kids On The Block's comeback), Straight Through My Heart is a high-tempo dance track made even better by the boys' singing. As is usually the case with the Backstreet Boys' music, the chorus is infectious and it's easy to remember all the lyrics after only two to three listens.
The Backstreet Boys are reunited with old pal Max Martin (“I Want It That Way,” “As Long As You Love Me,” “Shape Of My Heart,” and the majority of pop hits during the late 90s) for the album's second single titled Bigger. The song sounds like Martin's work on Nick Carter's solo album; it's a pop ballad that takes time growing on you. It isn't really memorable at first listen but after two or three repeats, you almost feel like the Backstreet Boys of old are back.
Every time I come across the title of Bye Bye Love, I think about AJ McLean's solo track "Drive By Love" even though the two tracks have nothing in common musically. Bye Bye Love is the album's second dance track, similar to what tops the pop charts these days. If you heard any one of Chris Brown's hits, then you heard Bye Bye Love. Moreover, I thought that the use of Auto-Tune was an affront to the boys' singing abilities. This track is obviously a ploy to stay in touch with today's music and frankly I was disappointed by its inclusion because even when boybands were popular, the Backstreet Boys always seemed to be one step ahead of their competition. When they came back in 2005, their new adult-contemporary sound was refreshing. With Bye Bye Love, it feels like they're following the trend instead of setting it.
All Your Life (You Need Love) is the second track produced by RedOne. It's probably the closest thing to their 90s sound but upgraded for today's audience. After listening to this song, I couldn't help but go back and listen to all their up-tempo tracks from from their first and second albums.
If I Knew Then has a similar sound to All Your Life but the former is much slower. It also has a bit of a Jamaican sound in the chorus.
This Is Us is a ballad co-written by Howie Dorough and produced by Jim Jonsin. Here again, the boys shine vocally, making This Is Us a good track but nothing extraordinary. It sounds a bit like something Ne-Yo would sing.
PDA is probably the album's weakest track. It feels as though the boys are trying too hard to fit into the “urban” mold. Case in point, here are the chorus' lyrics:
“We'd be at the club, the restaurant, the grocery store or the movies
Kissing and touching with my hands all over your booty
Wherever it is, we is, I love it truly
Your PDA hey hey
(I want your PDA)”
It sounds like a poor man's version of a Timbaland track. Truly disappointing.
Masquerade was produced by Brian Kennedy, the man behind Rihanna's “Disturbia.” It's another high-tempo dance track with an easily memorable chorus. Similar to All Your Life, Masquerade feels like one of their vintage tracks albeit with a modern beat.
She's A Dream is the only song written by all group members and was produced by "Mr. Auto-Tune," T-Pain. Like PDA, She's A Dream is an overt attempt at urban music. It's a mix between O-Town's “Liquid Dreams” and Celebrity-era Nsync. I honestly don't know what to think of this track. On the one hand, the boys all sound great on it and the beat is quiet enough to let their voices and melody shine through. On the other hand, the blatant use of Auto-Tune on the bridge turned me off big-time.
Shattered is a piano-driven ballad and is the only song to carry the same sound from Unbreakable, their 2007 release. Of course, the fact that “Inconsolable” writer/producer Emanuel Kiriakou also produced Shattered probably helps in that regard.
The album concludes with Undone, another ballad. The song felt like something Justin Timberlake would release. As a matter of fact, it sounded a bit like a poor man's version of “What Goes Around...” only slower.
In the end, I am heavily disappointed with this album. It grows on you the more you listen it but I still feel like something's missing. It's trying too much to please to today's audience. It's not a bad thing mind you, but I thought they were on a great path musically with Never Gone and Unbreakable. Now, it seems like they went for sales instead of quality. Thankfully, the fact that they're good vocalists saves this album from being a Chris Brown/Ne-Yo/Justin Timberlake rehash. Will the die-hard fans love it? Absolutely. But you can't help but feel that they wanted a piece of the New Kids On The Block's “successful” comeback. This Is Us gets a 3.75 or 4/5 from me. Great vocals, nice beats, but no creativity.
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Comment by Maha
Seriously dude, comparative much? That's not what they were thinking while making the music, they were stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something a little different. I think they deserve enough credit for that =]
Oh, and: "All Your Life :After listening to this song, I couldn't help but go back and listen to all their up-tempo tracks from from their first and second albums."
Lol, thats just what I did =P
Personally, I think its a big improvement from Black and Blue and Unbreakable. Each song is more than worth a listen (except She's a Dream), and nearly all have different temperament than the other. The vocals are smooth (Nick's voice is shining) and the music is catchy.
I'm happy with the grade you gave them, but your disappointment is undeserved =]
Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
I guess what I'm trying to say is that they fell behind instead of leading the fray, if that makes any sense.
Comment by Maha
That doesn't mean the quality isn't there though-- Shattered, This is us, You need love, PDA, Undone, If I knew then are all quality songs dude =]
Never Gone was an awesome album, and I agree they held a different unique sound there, kind of pop rock... I still listen to a few songs from it frequently. Beautiful woman, Siberia, I still, and Just want you to know are my fav.
Seems like in This is Us, they've gone for a more Pop-R&B sound which according to them, they're quite comfy with. Oh well =] Its still full of good tracks!
Sorry for my rambling, dude. I enjoyed your review and comments a lot.
Comment by Anonymous
I remember when I heard Nick say he hopes that people let Justin Beiber grow that the industry really wouldnt give them a chance to grow. The reason they did not sell as well is because the radio stations were not giving them a chance by playing there songs and they had poor publicity on those albums. But those albums honestly did not sell bad just not as high as there first albums. Nsyncs over rated album no strings attached sold less then Backstreet boys lowest selling album Never Gone.
I was very impressed with never gone and unbreakable. I was so happy that they were taking that route too. But I still do not think that this is us is a bad album. I like the fact that they can do different things. What ever they sing they sing amazingly. Never Gone and Unbreakable were poorly publicized and I believe thats the reason why they did not sell as much as there other records. I LOVE these guys and always will. I can appreciate all of there music.
Best selling Boy band cant wait to see them on New Years. I really wish that they could have had the chance to sing some of there song from the unbreakable album on a show like that though. Song for the unloved, climbing the walls, incomplete, something that i already know are truly amazing songs. : )
Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
I agree that it's not a bad album. I was just disappointed, that's all
As for seeing them live, I got my NKOTBSB ticket for next summer, and it will be my third time seeing them in concert, can't wait