Backstreet Boys - Millennium
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Free Music Notes for Millennium
Free Music Review: A second chance look . . .
Hit: 5 Stars
Okay, I reviewed this album before, but after *really* listening to this again, I'm giving it a second look.While a lot of people may automatically think of Backstreet Boy's "Millennium," or any album/song of theirs for that matter, pre-packaged boy-band trash, this album obviously proves them different. It's much more than that.
While only three of the songs are just co-written by band members Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson, they are done so with a true meaning in mind. The downside? That only three are written by band members. Since the beginning, The One (co-writ Brian Littrell) and Back to Your Heart (co-writ Kevin Richardson) have been my favorites, above and beyond the rest of the songs on the CD.
Larger than Life is a wonderful tribute to the fans, though it may seem a little mechanical at first, it goes on to have *natural* voices, instead of the mechanical sounds it begins with. It does have that mechanical sound in the background, but it does nothing to take away from the song.
I Want it That Way is a good song. It has a nice soothing tone that somewhat sticks through the song. However, once you listen to it long enough, it's one of those songs that gets annoying, but can so easily get stuck in your head you just have to deal with it. There's nothing special about this song. As far as I could tell, it allows all five of the members to actually participate in it.
Show Me the Meaning . . . Wow. Now, here is a song that has true potential, and takes that potential beyond what the normal band would be able to do. The blend of vocals, music, and the feeling and emotion the boys put into this is enough to make even the most avid boy-band hater fall in love with this song, if not the group for themselves.
It's Gotta Be You has a nice dance beat that just makes me want to get up and dace. Well, that'd make since considering I do like to dance. Truthfully, it does have some mechanical sounding voices, but not so much that you can't hear the true sounds behind the music.
I Need You Tonight is a disappointing "remake" of Heaven in Your Eyes, which I have had the privelage of hearing a MP3 of. While it may have generally the same music and words, what the heck are they trying to do with the electric guitars in it? That totally takes away from it. IMHO, they should have kept it as Heaven in Your Eyes.
Don't Want You Back has a different sound than the other songs on the album this far. I actually find it amusing that they added a little "Everybody (Backstreets Back)" riff in there. Call it a weird sense of humor, but this song does have the potential . . . the sound of the voices clashes just right with the music.
Don't Wanna Lose You Now is definitely one of the more meaningful songs on the album, along with 3, 8, 9, and 12. When I first heard this song, I almost started crying. The boys truly do approach some deep messages through these songs, and this is definitely one of the more powerfully done that I've heard from ANY of the "boy bands" thus far.
The One. Now there's a good song! It's not overplayed on the radio, though it wouldn't matter if it was or not 'cause I listen to it several times a day and still haven't gotten tired of it. While I don't really see much of a theme to this song, it does address the fact that even the strongest people occasionally need a shoulder to lean on. Just listen to the lyrics and you'll "hear" what I mean.
Back to Your Heart is another deep reaching song. It's another one that almost brought me to tears, and not many songs can do that. Listen to it. Just sit down, put on the song, and take a few minutes to actually listen to it, instead of having it in background music. It's like "Show Me the Meaning . . ." Anybody can like this music, whether they're a BSB fan or not.
No One Else Comes Close and Spanish Eyes didn't hit me as anything special, though they are well written and sung very well. They had the right vocals at the right time, and that made for a very pleasureable listening experience.
Now, who can resist a song like The Perfect Fan? Who can resist anyone's tribute to their mother in such a beautiful way? I have never heard a more beautifull sung song by the Backstreet Boys, or anybody. It's truly a touching song, one practically any of us should be able to relate to and apply to our own mothers.
All in all, I support this CD 100%. Despite my growing disdain for boy bands, the BSB have proven that they have grown above and beyond that title since their last CD. Anyone who wants to hear quality music, vocals, and just about any other factor that applies to outstanding music, will buy and listen to this album. It truly is above and beyond the title boy band, and deserves every positive recognition it gets. It takes a lot of skill and talent to make it this far, and I have no doubt in my mind that Nick, Howie, AJ, Kevin and Brian will make it a lot further before the flames they have stirred up begin to fade even slightly. I look forward to every second of their next album, whether or not they improve on this one. A truly unique sound, unique album . . . a unique group.
Free Music Review: MILLENNIUM is so full of emotions....
Hit: 5 Stars
I absolutely adore the Backstreet Boys. They're my absolute favorite group in the entire world. So, of course, I was one of those 1.6 million people who went out and bought this CD on the very first day of it's release. And I'm proud to say that I do not regret buying this in the least. I love each and every song and there is not one bad song on this entire album. I can listen to it straight through without skipping any tracks, though sometimes I like to skip the tracks to get to my favorites. Here's the list of tracks:1.) "Larger Than Life" ~ The Boys' first song dedicated to their fans. It's a great uptempo, party song with awesome lyrics. Their vocals and harmonies rock. A really great song, especially to listen to while driving in the car. Now how come 'N Sync can't do something like this?!
2.) "I Want It That Way" ~ I love this song! It's truly my favorite Backstreet song ever. I actually kind of like it better than "Shape Of My Heart". Y'all have heard this song already...so I'll let you decide. And if you haven't, then where the hell have you been for the last three years?!
3.) "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" ~ Probably their best love ballad ever. It's one of the most meaningful songs on this entire album and you'd be a fool to hate this song. Their vocals and harmonies are beautiful, strong, and solid and the lyrics and music is incredible. It's such a sad, emotional song.
4.) "It's Gotta Be You" ~ A great, uptempo and fast-beat song. The lyrics are awesome and so are their vocals.
5.) "I Need You Tonight" ~ Many people might not like this song much, but that's probably because this is Nick Carter's song. And Nick just happens to be my fav BSB member - he's so incredibly hot! He's got an awesome voice, too. And he shows his true talent through this song. Beautiful lyrics and music, too. And besides, there are always gonna be members of bands who get their own solos! This is Nick's best song and I love it.
6.) "Don't Want You Back" ~ Another great uptempo, more dark and edgy song. Kinda like "The Call" and "Get Another Boyfriend" from their BLACK & BLUE album. Awesome lyrics, vocals, and harmonies. This song is strong and solid.
7.) "Don't Wanna Lose You Now" ~ One of their better ballads. I like the lyrics and the music is great, too. So are the Boys' vocals and harmonies. Beautiful.
8.) "The One" ~ One of my favorite uptempo, Dance song on this entire album. I love the lyrics and beat of the music. I also think their vocals and harmonies are strong and solid.
9.) "Back To Your Heart" ~ Another beautiful ballad. Kevin Richardson plays the piano on this song - and you always thought they couldn't play their own instruments! This song makes me cry everytime I listen to it. Their vocals and the lyrics are just so beautiful.
10.) "Spanish Eyes" ~ This song is dedicated to the Boys' Spanish fans. It's a beautiful ballad with awesome leads by Howie D. and Nick. I love it. Beautiful lyrics and music.
11.) "No One Else Comes Close" ~ Not one of my personal favorites, but it's still a beautiful song and worth listening to. Great lyrics and awesome vocals.
12.) "The Perfect Fan" ~ How could anyone not like this song or at least appreciate this song? Brian Littrell wrote it and produced it. It's a beautiful ballad dedicated to the Boys' mothers and the choir is sung by the Tates Creek High School, the same high school Brian attended in Lexington, Kentucky. Leslie Carter, Nick's younger sister, also makes an appearance singing with the choir. Just beautiful and makes you wanna burst into tears everytime you hear it. The "perfect" song to play on Mother's Day!
As you could tell, I did not give any of these songs ratings because each song is beautiful and unique in their own ways. And I feel it would be unfair to rate them. While recording MILLENNIUM, the Backstreet Boys were going through some hard times, and all their emotions just pour out and they put their hearts into making this album. It was nominated for four Grammys (including Album of the Year) for a good reason - not just because at the time it had been the fastest-selling album ever. All the Boys are totally gorgeous and truly have talent. They are the best Boy Band and this is the album where they really start to show their maturaity. Go buy this album and trust me, if you have any good taste in music, you will see why this album is so wonderful. A pure delight and must-have...it definitely beats NO STRINGS ATTACHED by a billion miles!!
Free Music Review: Don't feel ashamed, 20-30 somethings. Purchase with pride.
Hit: 5 Stars
While this review is for all, it is somewhat geared for those in the 25-35 range. You know who you are. You remember what it was like to hear and see New Kids on the Block everywhere. You loved "Soldier of Love," only to reel in horror when you found out it was Donny Osmond. Now, 10 years later, you find yourself liking the Backstreet Boys. What to do? Put away any shame you might feel and go buy Millennium. Be proud you picked a quality piece of music that features wonderful orchestration, depth and range of style and emotion, fun and well thought out lyrics, and great vocal harmonics.
With 5 major hits already, you can't go wrong purchasing this release, even if the rest wasn't as great. But there's no fear of that -- these are 12 gems you be singing along with for a long time. "Larger Than Life" is a huge power dance tune with great lyrics and an undeniable groove, I've car danced to this song frequently on my commute. A smooth groove, "I Want It That Way" is a boppy ballad with great harmonics that are fun to sing along with. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a power ballad that features strong orchestration, vocals and lyrics. "It's Gotta Be You" is a funky dance groove with great attitude for the dance floor. A silky smooth ballad that features beautiful piano and vocals, "I Need You Tonight" will send chills down your spine with its emotional power. "Don't Want You Back" is a fantastic power attitude song that features funky syncopation and a great chorus. Though it might sound trite, "Don't Wanna Lose You Now" is a fantastic ballad that features powerful orchestration and vocal harmonies. "The One" is another fun, uplifting, sway-along dance tune that creates a great positive attitude. The final 4 songs are ballads, however these are much lower-key in orchestration, allowing the Boys to showcase their vocal and harmonic depth. "Back to Your Heart" features minimal guitar and percussion; the depth comes from the richness of the Boys' voices. With little orchestration, "Spanish Eyes" concentrates on the harmonies, however they seem a bit off and strained. "No One Else Comes Close" is nice with really great backing vocals, and kudos for the bridge key change. We conclude with "The Perfect Fan" which has an anthemic feel with its power orchestration elements and a backing choir that help heighten the emotional intensity of this beautiful ballad dedicated to mothers everywhere.
Doing a review of this CD is somewhat out of character for me. I have had this CD for less than a year. And I am not a BSB fan; I didn't buy their first album, and I don't know any of their names and couldn't pick them out of a lineup. However, what BSB have released here is a strong piece of pop music for the new millennium. This isn't a release you can simply listen to once and then put back on the shelf. It will be interesting to see 10 years down the road, but I have a strong feeling this CD will still be with many of us and bring fond memories. While originally thinking I'd give it 4 stars (since it's so new to my collection), this most recent listen convinces me that a low 5 star rating is really in order -- it really is that solid.
My recommendation is if you've liked what you've heard on the radio thus far, you can't go wrong buying this CD. Forget the fact that they are the most recent boy band that every teen and pre-teen girl in America is screaming over. Forget the fact they get probably way too much air play on MTV and the Top 40 stations. Get away from the kids or friends who play this release 24/7. Give it a serious listen by yourself, and you will come to realize there is no shame in admitting you like BSB. Beyond all the hype, they really do have talent. And how many pop stars can you truly say that about?
Stand proud with your copy of Millennium. It really is a great addition to any pop music collection.
Free Music Review: Backstreet's Back... For Better or Worse?
Hit: 5 Stars
I wish I could give this CD 4 1/2 stars, but that's not an option, so I'll round it up to 5. At first, I didn't care for this CD a whole lot, but the more I listened to it, the more I really liked it. It seems a lot shorter then their first one for some reason, though. And which did I like better? Their first CD or this one? I can't really say. They are pretty equal. (1) Larger Than Life: I love this song! It's just really got a great beat and it's fun to dance and sing to! It took me awhile to understand what they were saying, but I still love it! (2) I Want It That Way: My favorite BSB song! You HAVE to love this one. It's so pretty, and it's repitious enough to learn the lyrics, but not to get tired of the song. (3). Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely: I really liked this song at first, but I'm tired of it now because they play it ALL the time on the radio. I also have absolutely no IDEA what they are singing about, even though I've read through the words a billion times. The music video is also totally WEIRD. (4) It's Gotta Be You: I love this song! It's probably my favorite fast one on here! (okay, besides track #1) It's too short though! I wish it were longer. It's really upbeat and a blast to dance to! (5) I Need You Tonight: Absolutely beautiful. The piano parts are such a peaceful touch. I LOVE the chorus. The only thing I didn't like was the little bits of electric guitar every once in a while. Ick! Were they trying to appeal to guys or something? (6) Don't Want You Back: A lot of people don't like this song, but it's not too bad. I actually like the tune, it's got a great beat. I do definitely see where people don't like the sexual lyrics. But I don't think it's as bad as "Hey, Mr. DJ"! (7) Don't Want to Lose You Now: Pretty! This one gets stuck in your head. I think they picked the worst possible place to put it on the CD though! It just doesn't fit right after "Don't You Want You Back"! If you liked "I Need you Tonight", you'll like this one. (8) The One: I'm sorry, I just don't care for this song. I got soo sick of it on the radio, and I didn't really like it much in the first place. Plus, I don't think the lead vocalist in this sounds very good. (Is it Brian? I have a hard time keeping him and Nick apart sometimes!) (9) Back To Your Heart: Not one of my favorite slow songs on here, but it grows on you. It is pretty and I like the lyrics. (10) Spanish Eyes: Okay, to all those people who say this song sounds strained "whatever! " This is one of the prettiest songs I've every heard. Okay, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's still an awesome jam. I think the harmonies are pretty in this one! It's very sweet. (11) No One Else Comes Close: I think this song is a filler. It is pretty boring and it gets dull after a while. I think they meant for this one to be really sweet and touching, but it just falls short. This is not a must-listen to on the CD. (12) The Perfect Fan: This is a really nice song. Probably the only one BSB has ever done that isn't about some girlfriend they love, lost or want or all three and more. I give Brian thumbs up on a touching song. I bet his mom loved it!
All in all, I think you will enjoy this CD most if you like slow songs. The slow ones on here outdo the fast ones. But buy it for yourself and see what you think. If you decide you hate it, I'm sure some teenage girl you know will be enthralled with it as a gift.
Free Music Review: I'm a guy BSB fan
Hit: 5 Stars
I think the male population has to get over that "I'm to cool to listen to boy bands" mentality and give it a chance. The bottom line is, this is a good album. "Millenium" is actually my fourth favorite CD I own after "Christina Aguilera", "Mi Reflejo", and "My Kind Of Christmas" all by Christina Aguilera. I honestly think that "Millenium" should have beat Carlos Santana for the Grammy award; his album was simply hype.1. LARGER THAN LIFE: Tsk, tsk ... what a bad way to start an album! The song is CORNY! Everything from the opening instrumentals (what is that sound effect? It sounds like a frog!) to the "edgy" ... or should I say CORNY rock and roll guitar gets on my nerves. (4/10)
2. I WANT IT THAT WAY: Undeniably, "I Want It That Way" is a keeper. There's just something about this song that makes it monumental. (10/10)
3. SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY: Possibly my third favorite song on the album. You have all probably heard it, so you can make the decision on whether you like this or not. The only problem is that the lyrics don't mean anything ... they just say what sounds best, but that's okay. (10/10)
4. IT'S GOTTA BE YOU: UGH! THAT VOICE!!!!!! There's this little voice (I know it's Nick Carter ... I can tell from that little nasaly sound) that shows up at the very beginning and all through this song that says "Baby, its the way you make me kinda get me go crazy" that's possibly the most irritating sound you'll ever care to hear. Other than that, it's pretty catchy and enjoyable. (7.5/10)
5. I NEED YOU TONIGHT: Haha, this is one pickup line gone totally wrong. The guys are really sincere, I swear (sarcasm). Overall, it's a good ballad. (9/10)
6. IT'S GOTTA BE YOU: This is the number one song! I like the sound of it except for the fact that EVERY other song by Jive sounds exactly like it ... but this one's better. The best part is this little harp playing throughout the whole thing. (10/10)
7. DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU TONIGHT: If it were any other boy band singing this song, it would be very forgettable; however, since the Backstreet Boys are so good at harmonizing, better than everyone else, it's a nice ballad. (9.5/10)
8. THE ONE: When I heard this on the radio and MTV, I hated it, but for some reason I've developed a fondness of the song. (9/10)
9. BACK TO YOUR HEART: I love this song. It's my second favorite, and it was written by my favorite Backstreet Boy, Kevin Richardson. He's my favorite because he can sing the best and his work ethic is admirable ... plus he's a great writer. (10/10)
10. SPANISH EYES: One of the low points. (excuse my sentence fragments.) It's not an infuriatingly awful song like "Larger Than Life" ... at least that keeps my interest, but it's so bland that you'll hear it once and you won't really care to hear it ever again. (2/10)
11. NO ONE ELSE COMES CLOSE: This is the R&B-est song on the album. I like it. (8.5/10)
12. THE PERFECT FAN: How endearing. A declaration of love from a teenage heart throb. The funny thing is, I actually think he was sincere and not just trying to make everyone think he's a sweetheart. Under normal circumstands, I would give this a 9, but since a teenage musical artist wrote it ... I'll give it a (10/10).