Title:Black and Blue By: Backstreet Boys Released by: Jive Released on: 2000 Rating (out of 10): 1 Date: 06/28/2001
The Decline of Western Civilization (Oh, dear God, not Japan too)
The Allegory
When I was 7 years old, I had this bubblegum conglomerate. I’m sure it sounded like a good idea at the time. I would simply save my gum into a large ball and chew it. When not in my mouth, it stayed in the refrigerator, so it was always cold and hard to chew. It became a purplish-brown color from the various different flavors of Bubble Yum and baseball card sticks. Eventually, it evolved into a nasty glob that made me question any original intention and became as completely worthless as it was impossible to stomach. Looking back, there was absolutely no logic behind any of this.
The Extended Review
If there is one good thing to be said about *N Sync, they at least appreciate what they are doing. Their "music" may be completely derivative, but they love every minute of it. When Britney Spears released her sophomore album earlier this year, we heard the interviews in which she said that she wanted to go with a more Natalie Imbruglia sound, but that it didn’t make sense commercially. This lack of spirit may contribute to her sophomore slump (that and the fact she sucks).
So now we are back to The Backstreet Boys, the "band" that more or less started this whole ordeal. Now, they have a great number of songs thanking their fans for everything (which is already suspiciously commercial). On top of that, they do not seem even to remotely enjoy what they are doing. They are completely unenthusiastic in interviews. They talk about the elements of their new album, Black and Blue, as the next step for their music, incorporating country, R & B, and the inevitable pop. But as we can always count on Justin, J.C., and Joey to goof around, showing their fans that they are enjoying their success, The Backstreet Boys always give off an air of malaise.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think The Backstreet Boys like what they are doing at all, and that discontent shows on their third release.
Not that The Backstreet Boys ever released exciting, innovative, or even particularly enjoyable music, mind you—they just seem even less happy to be doing it than before. With pressure to write some of their own songs, a lead taken by *N Sync and BBMak, The Backstreet Boys apparently wrote or co-wrote at least half of the songs on Black and Blue. Jive should know better than this; these boys are not songwriters.
Black and Blue is not a logical extension of Millenium; it is just a boring rehash. The album kicks off with “The Call.” I fail to pick up on any “country” sound that A.J. spoke of, but I guess the stereotypical Eagles-esque guitar riff that opens should count for something. The Backstreet Boys sadly follow Britney Spears’ lead with interjections of phone calls and other annoying additions. “The Call” is ultimately another “Larger Than Life,” just in case you didn’t hate that one enough the first time around.
The first single, “The Shape of My Heart,” is another sappy ballad. Though this one makes a little more sense than “I Want It That Way,” it doesn’t have the bubblegum attractability of the latter. Indeed, this album contains nothing near the quality of “I Want It That Way." Here, the upbeat songs are boring rehashes, and we've heard all the ballads before.
Sadly, when Backstreet spoke of the “R & B flavor” in this Black and Blue, they meant goofy synthesizers a la *N Sync, with repetitive drum beats and other digital noise. “Get Another Boyfriend” is essentially an answer to “It’s Gonna Be Me” in both sound and theme. Again, the Backstreet version is less enjoyable. This is the case with most of the tracks, including, “Shining Star,” (“Space Cowboys?”) “Yes I Will” (gag), and “Not For Me” (another “It’s Gonna Be Me”).
Now, maybe there is some logic to this. Maybe the fans actually want to be thanked. “Larger Than Life” just seems completely trite, and The Backstreet Boys return with “Everyone” (oddly reminiscent of “Everybody”), which again thanks the fans. Give me money.
The power ballads are even weaker. Maybe there is some emotional level to “Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely” and “I Want It That Way,” both of which can reach some nay-sayers, but Black and Blue comes up short. The aforementioned “The Shape of My Heart” is the best attempt, but the mid-tempo “Time” (produced by Babyface) is a sleepy Boyz II Men soundalike, and “It’s True,” co-written by Kevin, is equally numbing. “It’s true/I mean it/It’s true/Without you I would fall apart.” I’ve heard this a million times before from the superior Swedish writers alone. Yeah, good work Kev.
“The Answer To Our Life” is “country” in the sense of commercial garbage country. However, the boys do such a boring job, even schlock, B-rate country stations wouldn’t give this a shot.
Perhaps “I Promise You (With Everything I Am)” can be considered “country” in root, as shallow and cliché-driven as modern country is. How many times does everyone want to keep hearing “I love you ‘til death do us part” in a song? Canadian lite-rock can’t save you here, guys.
That line pretty much sums up Black and Blue. Essentially the message is Don’t stray from the formula at any expense, even if it's completely derivative. Your vocal stylings can’t keep excusing you.
It was a sad, sad day when *N Sync extended the hollow bubblegum sensation another year with No Strings Attached, but at least that was mildly fun. *N Sync enjoy what they are doing, and something shines through the derivative crap that makes it less irritating. The Backstreet Boys have no passion, and Black and Blue is a result of that emptiness. One thing is for sure; this will extend the pop phenomenon another year. But I see a gleam, maybe a hint at a gleam: The Backstreet Boys' empire may be fading.
Of course “The Shape Of My Heart” and “How Did I Fall In Love With You” will sell a lot of albums, be played at many a junior high dance, but when is enough enough? These songs aren’t bad, just boring and soulless.
I see absolutely no reason to purchase Black and Blue; you already essentially have it—a few times. But you will, won't you? Oh, yes, you will.
