Block [Australian Import] [Enhanced, Extra tracks, Import]

This is a great album. Whether you're a new 'new kids' fan or an old one, this album will not disappoint. NKOTB went thru the extra steps to make sure that each song was an all or nothing effort. Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, New Edition and many others make great appearances on this album (including a production by Timbaland). But be forewarned... this is not...I repeat NOT...the 80s/90s boyband you once knew. Forget the #1 balads. You won't find that here. The 'kids' have certainly grown up, and their music and lyrics reflect that. This is not a kidd-ish dance album...it's reflective of today's R&B/Pop sexy standards. Sex is the standard...that's a fact of life... and without flat out saying that, the 'kids' have included some songs with some serious adult undertones. Let's face it....their fan base is now in the range of 30-ish, and what their fans listen to has changed over the last 20 years....so the 'kids' knew that they too had to change to fit to what was currently being played on those fans' mp3 players. So! Gone are the 'ohohohohoh' and cheesy keyboards that we all once loved back in the day.... they've now been replaced by a sound that certainly has done a good job of keeping up and changing with the times. Buy the album....and listen to it with an UNBIAS view of who NKOTB once was. This is a new band thru and thru. It may be a reunion for those of us 'block heads'....but it really can not possibly be compared to Hangin' Tough or Step by Step. And this is both in the song types/sounds....and in their voices. Apparently the years have been kind to their voices and ability to haromonize. They are better at that then they were in the past. Possibly because the bar has been raised by other 'accapella' singing boy bands like Nsync. Now I don't claim them to have sung accapella on this album (they did not)...but pop in Hangin' Tough and then follow it up with a few songs from this album, and the difference will hit you in the face. It's that much better. And the songs are that much richer. Fuller.

A few side notes: The album version of "Click Click Click" is slightly different then the version that leaked out on to the internet and file sharing sites, like Limewire a few months ago. Their is a new interlude and some tone and backround elements were stylized. Also, I'd suggest getting the deluxe version of this album. It includes 4 bonus tracks and also unlocks a 'deluxe' section of NKOTB's website. The 4 bonus tracks are 'okay'...but track 15 "Don't Cry" is well worth the price of admission. It's probably the closest thing you'll find to a encore of the 'kids' 90's balads..... a little more up-beat then your average balad, but some great harmonizing and lyrics. All total, I personally like Grown Man, Full Service, Click Click Click, and Dirty Dancing best.

Speaking of lyrics... I am compeled to comment on a few 'bad' reviews that are lingering out there concerning the choice of lyrics on this album. I realize that you can't please all of the people all of the time. But one person even went as far to give it 1 star and then say that the sex-type lyrics and songs merely only represent the shallowness of what the 'kids' stand for. All I can say to that is... check your reality meter. Lyrics in songs normally have nothing to do with what an artist stands for. I think a certain artist named Eminem proved that. And if your looking to avoid adult undertones in your music, you may want to just turn your radio off completely. (LOL)

So, in conclusion... buy it... forget about the boy band stereotypes...forget about what you once knew was 'nkotb'....loose the bias....listen to it...and enjoy it as a NEW band.

I was never a fan of the New Kids On the Block when they originally came out because i didn't really get into music as a kid till around after 1992. At that time The New Kids had already faded from public view and the only thing i knew of them was there Saturday morning cartoon along with the MC Hammer cartoon. I picked up there new CD because the song SummerTime is a really nice track & overall i do like the song. I picked up the CD and i do not regret it one bit. It's a great CD and the boys are staying relevant with mainstream music goers and churning out songs that everyone can enjoy. The album has a huge R&B POP feel to it and it really is a great album. Its one of the few albums released this year where i am not constantly skipping from track to track. This album also has huge writing & production from Donnie which to me seems like he is a very talented individual for both singing and acting. Don't rule these guys out as being a silly boy band because there is so much more to them then just their looks. I believe they will make a huge comeback with this CD and they will probably be able to do something the Backstreet Boys & Nsync won't be able to do. To stay relevant and make the fans & music lovers look beyond the band boy image you must have music that everyone loves. The Backstreet Boys are delivering good albums but all the songs are adult contemporary & ballads and doesn't appeal to the young crowd at all.

Great album. Very upbeat and danceable songs combined with some of the most perfect ballads. After 15 years, they certainly deliver without an ounce of disappointment. Ok, I'm not really so fond of "Grown Man", but that's definitely not enough to rate it anything less than five stars. I'm so glad they're back.

Top songs:
Single
Don't Cry
2 In the Morning
Full Service
Stare At You