The Backstreet Boys are possible the most reviled/adored group of boys today. So hear is my little say about their 11x platinum album:
1. Larger Than Life This is a great song...if you are a fan of the Boys. If you aren't skip it. Or if you aren't a big fan but dig the beat, then buy the single version (it has the instrumental version). But I have to say, as a fan of theirs it's nice to have five guys sing a song for me. And the 11 other million girls out there. And 15 guys. And 36 adults.
2. I Want It That Way This track, by far, is the best on the album. By that, I mean that if all the people in the world had to agree on one track off the album as their favorite, this would be it. The music is perfect---not a ballad, but not too fast-paced either. The lyrics are even better. If you haven't hear it (yeah right!), the Boys are singing about a relationship that just isn't working out. And it is not confusing, contrary to what E. Weekly and R. Stone say. But for those slow-witted critics, here's a quick explanation: "You are my fire, the one desire..." The first lines are obvious in their meaning. "But we are two worlds apart..." I'm sure we've all felt that way before. Now for the somewhat strange chorus. "Tell me why?/Ain't nothin' but a heartache/Tell me why?/Ain't nothin' but a mistake..." What that means is, I think, that we're asking our (ex)partner why it isn't working out. And the reply is...well, just listen. Then---"Am I your fire? Your one desire? Yes I know, it's too late..." So say you put yourself on the line by syaing that ---is your fire, etc. So you want to know how they feel before you write them out of your life forever. Then there's that part "now I can see that we've fallen apart...no matter the distance I want you to know...you are my fire, the one desire..." And the song goes on from there. See? Not so hard to comprehed, eh?
3. Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely This is basically a very sad song about being lonely. Kudos to Max Martin and the late Herbert Crichlow for a great song, despite some confusing lyrics here and there. The Boys voices really shine here. As they do in I Want It That Way.
4. It's Gotta Be You I suppose they had to include some pop-flavor. Think Backstreet's Back, I Want You Back, and funky lyrics mixed up together, and you have the song.
5. I Need You Tonight A great song, produced and written by Shania Twain's hubby, and sung by Nick Carter, the Boys with the famed high-pitched voice. But he does alright here, and the piano sounds even better.
6. Don't Want You Back This is a tribute to all ex-girlfriends and those who used the Boys because they were famous/rich. An awesome track, and will probably be released in the summer of '00.
7. Don't Wanna Lose You Now. A nice, sad, love song.
8. The One A nice, spacey, but somehow dance/rock beat. The chorus may sound a bit egotisitical, but the the Boys pass it off with their voices as being somehow endearing.
9. Back To your Heart A beautiful love song, cowritten by one of the Boys. You want her back? Forget NSYNC, just play this.
10. Spanish Eyes Also kind of confusing, but a nice ballad.
11. No One Else Comes Close This is a truly wonderful ballad, perfect for married couples. Trust me.
12. The Perfect Fan The Boys love their girls (fans), but mama come's first. This is a perfect ending.
"Millenium" is perhaps one of the best Albums out there. I feel this is such a great album because it was more personalized than their previous album. I happened to love ALL the songs on the album but one of my favorites was "No One Else Comes Close". In this album, you can actually hear each Backstreet Boys sing. In the first album, i never heard Kevin sing, so when I heard "IWITW" I was suprised. I recommend this Cd to everyone !
Even though in the past Backstreet boys fans have been simply limited to a younger generation, in their lastest album, Millennium, they prove themselves suitable to almost all ages. Larger Than Life, the second single off the album, I Want It That Way being the first, has a lot more edge then their last album's Everybody, and is full of engery. Yet for some who prefer listening to soft tones and sweeter lyrics, the ablum has the songs you enjoy with Spanish Eyes, and Perfect Fan. If you are interested in simple facts in might interest you that on this album 3 out of 12 of the songs are written by backstreet boys themselfs, unlike there last album. This is just one of the ways that the Backstreet Boys have moved on and improved.
Like many in the 20-30 something age-range, I find myself perhaps a little embarrassed to admit I am about to admit... I actually like the Backstreet Boys. Being innundated with their music from the various "Z" and "Mix" radio stations in my area (as well as teeny-bopper neighbors and family members playing their music) enabled me to develop a liking for the songs on this album. But, until a 70-year old friend of the family admitted that she liked the BSB, I couldn't actually allow myself to do the same and buy "Millenium"
Now that I have just done my part in BSBA (BackStreet Boys Anonymous), it's time to focus on the album "Millenium". While their debut album put them on the map, it is really "Millenium" that proves that BSB has staying power. The songs on this follow-up effort are vastly superior to the earlier album and to that 'other' guy group N'Sync (who I had initially thought was the better of the two bands based on the first two singles released). The first release "I Want It That Way" has the kind of feel good melody that makes you want to listen to the song over and over again. In addition, this is the first song that gives each member of the band a chance to go solo and highlight their individual vocal talents, with impressive results. The big ballad single, "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a fairly affecting song itself, even though the slower ballads are not BSB's strong suit. They return to their strengths with soaring dance beats in "Larger Than Life" (a tribute to the impact that their fans have had on the band) and "The One".
Will the BackStreet Boys ever be confused with the greats in music history? Highly unlikely. But, for BSB to exist in a cookie-cutter genre where most groups seem indentical and take critical drubbings from the press, the fact that they have been able to carve a niche in the people's minds (and, yes, hearts) and even win over such jaded music fans such as myself, speaks volumes about the quality of this group and their music.
So, overcome any shame or embarrasment you might feel and do what I and the previous reviewer have suggested and admit you like the BackStreet Boys, buy "Millenium", and enjoy.
This cd is very well sung and written. this is a better buy then nsync's new cd. These guys know what they're doing and dont sing through their nose.
