New Kids on the Block, Nkotb - Face the Music
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Free Music Notes for Face the Music
Free Music Review: ~ A FINALE TO BE PROUD OF ~
Hit: 5 Stars
1994's 'Face The Music' was the New Kids' attempt to make a comeback during a time when the music industry was all about grunge and gangsta rap; looking back, the timing probably couldn't have been any worse. While the comeback was ultimately a failure (Jon Knight had bowed out early on, leaving the group as a foursome), they were certainly able to offer music lovers one last album of what I personally consider some of their best material. We begin with an interlude that is heavily influenced by East Coast hip-hop, complete with samples from Gangstarr, etc. Next up is "You Got The Flavor", produced by the one and only Teddy Riley, the godfather of New Jack Swing. Why this dance song was never picked up by Coke or Pepsi for a commercial is beyond me...The album's first single "Dirty Dawg" follows, complete with rap verses by New Jack Era rappers Nice & Smooth ("Sometimes I Rhyme Slow", "Hip Hop Junkies"). While the song is a nice departure from fluffier hits a la "The Right Stuff", it does strike me as a tad too misogynistic. "Girls" is by far the best uptempo on the album, featuring a chorus by Joe McIntyre, verses by Jordan Knight and a rap that doesn't try to hard by Donnie Wahlberg; this probably would have been the third single had the album's promo campaign made it that far.
"If You Go Away" is probably the best ballad the New Kids ever recorded, originally released back in the fall of 1991. Sparkingly tender, this version is longer than the one heard on the radio, with a stunningly warm ending section. "Keep On Smilin" is sunny midtempo that originally appeared on the Free Willy soundtrack, BUT, it's the Teddy Riley-produced "Never Let You Go" that is the mellow 'urban' masterpiece that the New Kids should be most proud of. With an Al B. Sure-meets-early Blackstreet vibe, "Never Let You Go" was the second single from this album, and the video (shot in black and white) was laid back and smooth. Hands down, "Never Let You Go" is the best song on the album, and sounds the least dated of all.
"Keepin My Fingers Crossed" was produced by Wolf & Epic (the guys who did BBD's "Do Me!" and "I Thought It Was Me" radio mixes) and sounded dated even back in early '94 (sorry guys). [side note: Brett "Epic" Mazur is now co-lead vocalist of Crazy Town] The next song ("Mrs. Right") is probably the most 1994-sounding of all the songs on the album (think "Teddy Bear" by G-Wiz), and I always considered this one an enjoyable listen. Joey McIntyre handles the lead vocals on this one. "Since You Walked Into My Life" is another triumphantly glorious ballad in the vein of "If You Go Away" (both produced by Walter Afanasieff of Mariah Carey fame). I believe this track was originally supposed to be a solo song by Jordan Knight, but either way -- it works.
"Let's Play House" is a lighthearted midtempo lead by Jordan (another solo track?), and it works well. "I Can't Believe It's Over" (produced by Narada Michael Walden) sounds a lot like Mariah Carey's "I Don't Wanna Cry" (also produced by Walden), but it still works well to give the album its darkest ballad. The shimmering "I'll Still Be Loving You" (which seems to be a sequel to "I'll Be Loving You Forever") finds Joe McIntyre singing his lungs out -- besides "Please Don't Go Girl", I think this is his best NKOTB performance. Bravo. The final song ("I'll Be Waitin") is one of the more forgettable songs (along with "Keepin My Fingers Crossed"), but Danny Wood turns in his second best New Kid career performance (Valentine Girl" was by far his best outing).
In closing, I'd say 1994's "Face The Music" was a great album. While it may not have garnered the commercial success one would hope for, they certainly earned 'critical' praise from me: a music lover. And at the end of it all, it should *always* be about the music, right?
Free Music Review: Best boy band cd ever!!! Simply Brilliant!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This Is one of the most underated and perhaps the most slept on album I've ever heard. This is the best boy band cd by far. My Ipod is filled with classic hip hop and r&b, but this album gets the 3rd most play out of over 60 cds' on my ipod. I only play 2pac and nas more. The most surprising thing is The overall sound. Alot more R&b influenced as opposed to their pop album's.In addition there's also a lot of rap and the lyrics are impressive, and Donny Waldberg's flow sounds amazing a lot like LL cool j very smooth and shows it the most on track #7 I'll never let you go. This Cd really picks up strong during second half of the cd. Full of emotions at times upbeat very sexy, and clever and other times very dark and sad. Overall I still relate to the material and this cd inspires me still today, and I truley can't live with out it, thanks NKOTB.
#2 You got the flavor- 5/5 Outstanding start off track. Definitely a car bumper. sick beat, sick hook, and sick flow at the end. ''enough said.
#3 Dirty dogg- 3.5/5 first release off album, actually my least favorite, but still relevant today.
#4 Girls- 5/5 great melody. great rap delivered by Donnie W. His 2nd best flow on the album.
#5 If you go away- 4/5 2nd single release beautiful song.
#6 Keep on smilin''-4/5 Nice upbeat song to get you going through life.
#7 I'll never let you go 5/5 -Most impressing track perhaps on the cd. Beautiful song and beat, and once again Donny delivers a great rhyme, his best by far and does it without tryin' to hard.
#8 Keepin my fingers crossed 5/5- great story still see it happen every day.
#9 Mrs. Right 5/5 -My favorite track because I relate to the situation so well, has happened to me before. ''baby let me know the deal cuz I gotta know if its for real.
#10 Since You walked into my life 5/5- probably the best ballad I've ever heard and I will definitely play at my wedding someday.
#11 Let's play house 5/5- would make a good proposal song, I love it though very upbeat, sexy and clever.
#12 I can't believe its over 5/5- The saddest song on the cd, Danny Wood leads vocals, and is pretty good, but Jordan Knight's amazing high note at the end,completes the song.(watch out Mariah carey)
#13 I'll still be loving you 5/5- Joey Mac still got it his voice. He really lets it pour out. great output.
#14 I'll be waitin 5/5- great outro good way for the group to go out. I'm still waitin''
Free Music Review: NKOTB Face The Music , album
Hit: 5 Stars
When I was like 13 or 14 this album came out, I had it on cassette, i still have the cassette in perfect condition, cause New Kids music is like gold to me, I treat it right, well anyway, I used to listion to this album very personaly, I was listioning to it while going to school on the school bus, it made me teary eyed when Joe said that they were maturing, but, I always had an eye for a man older than me, Joe McIntyre has always been my favorite singer, and he was the best looking guy during the time of this album, the song I'll stil be loving you, it's just the way he sang the song, that makes it priceless, it took me along time to really study this album and listion to it very closely, to come to realize that, it's one damn god album, i had to grow up on this album. Jordan Knight's best talent on this album is when he sings the bridge in the song, If You go Away, that song is good, but it sounded alot better when they sang the song, live for the first time on the Anseno Hall show. Joe McIntyre, sounded breath taken on that show, so much better then the way he sang it on the album, i think they made him sound to femmin on the album, when he sang it more mature on the Talk show, in 1992.
I think honestly, this is the best New Kids album, to me it's stil a New Kids on the Block album, they were always called NKOTB in the teen magazine's. I collected alot of picture's of them.
I saw these men June 13th 2009 at the PNC Bank Arts Center, and they realy put on a great show. I didn't get a chance to see them in 1990. But Iam seeing them again May,28th 2010.
I hope it wil be a great show, cause these guys, sure are the Hardest working men in the Music Business.
Joe, Thank God, for you. Just like your mother said, You are a Gift!
To me you are. You sing the best, you look the best, and we have the same color hair.
I stood by you for along time. Even though you made me mad, I still stayed your fan. I will always be your fan.
Love Adele Thompson
Free Music Review: The Best Album Ever!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been prasing this album since it came out in 1994. It is the most underrated yet wonderful album ever recorded! There are 3 songs on this album that are simply heaven. First and foremost is the beautiful "IF YOU GO AWAY" which still holds rank as my "favorite song ever" all these years later. It's mix of beautiful melodic music and perfectly sung vocals by Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre make this song the most wonderful tune ever released. As far as an R&B ballad goes, it doesn't get better than this.
"Since You Walked Into My Life" is another heavenly classic, again containing the perfect mix of beatiful music with amazing vocals by Knight and McIntyre. This song should have been their first single off this album.
And finally "I Can't Believe It's Over," a heartfelt power ballad is perhaps Jordan Knight's most amazing vocal work ever. Again containing unforgettable melodic music combined with Knight's power vocals make this the absolute king of "break up" songs for broken lovers.
The 3 songs mentioned above make this the most wonderful album of all time, but there is lots more great stuff on this album too! If you are a lover of R&B magic, do NOT miss this album. 11 years later, it's still "The Best Album Ever!"
peace.
Free Music Review: The Best Underrated Album Ever!
Hit: 5 Stars
Unfortunately for NKOTB, this album came at a time well beyond their glory days and during a time when everyone was listening to grunge. But even more unfortunate for all those music lovers out there, they missed one of the best pop albums out there! Throughout their careers, NKOTB was bashed as critics called them untalented, copycats, and over-produced. This album puts all of those criticisms to shame. The guys wrote most of the music, produced almost everything, and showed once and for just how much talent they really have. All it took was stepping out from producer and founder Maurice Starr's shadow. The guys produced 14 wonderful songs that were all over the place - from ballads, to dance tunes, to just good music. If only this album had either come at a better time or received more hype - more fans would have flocked to NKOTB and realized once and for all what a talented set of guys they were! So whether a Blockhead or not, definitely check this out!