From time to time, we like to round up the all-important, all-summarizing last sentences of the biggest new-music reviews. After the jump, we look at the reactions to the comeback album by former mall-fillers New Kids on the Block, The Block, which arrives in stores today.
• “Considering Top 40’s predilection for unlined young faces, The Block’s unexpected quality is no guarantee of a commercial rebirth for NKOTB, who play the Staples Center on Oct. 8. Believe it or not, though, they’ve got the right stuff.” [LA Times]
• “And there’s a bona fide smash-in-waiting with ‘Put It on My Tab,’ a T-Pain-styled club song helmed by Akon that is sure to make even the staunchest haters do a double-take. The Block may not break any ground musically, but it’s actually strong enough to make people reconsider the New Kids’ entire career and wonder what will come next.” [Newsday]
• “‘Summertime’ isn’t ‘Hangin’ Tough,’ but it’s totally ’80s. The Richard Marx piano intro, dated synth patches and corny-but-catchy melody mix with a youthful, retro innocence. And that little doo-wop falsetto breakdown, like, totally rules. It’s a false innocence to go with these older Kids’ false youth, but it’s got a hook. And after all, no one wants to hear Donnie rhyme about refilling Rogaine and Nexium prescriptions.” [Boston Herald]
• “Several ’80s references turn up, as in ‘Swayze,’ a clever reference to the movie “Dirty Dancing,” and the single ‘Summertime,’ which openly courts nostalgia. But the now old kids don’t have to look back to make a connection. A cut like ‘2 In The Morning,’ with its airy Marvin Gaye allusion, has the kind of melody that proves they’ve once again got the right stuff.” [NY Daily News]
So many opportunities to say that they’ll be lovin’ us forever, wasted.
@Chris Molanphy: Also, no mentions of whether or not they’re hangin’ tough when they’re chilling in the club.
@Maura Johnston: Step by step, they’re making their comeback.
a T-Pain-styled club song helmed by Akon
Talk about a waste of words.
nobody mentioned that there’s a track called sexify my love?!
@bcapirigi: ahem:
[idolator.com]
oops. sorry!
Not mentioned the lines in the Lady Gaga track either: “With a body like that, you got a grown man ready to blow.”
@Al Shipley: aka an Akon-styled song helmed by Akon aka a song helmed by Akon aka an Akon song aka Akon
With the onslaught of Christmas wares that are emerging in stores (already? bleck!), I’m just waiting for the double CD remastered special Legacy Edition of NKOTB’s Xmas tape… [www.amazon.com]