To those who were not around when the New Kids on the Block were admittedly kids, Danny, Jordan, Donnie, Joey and Jon began their musical journey back in Boston 1984. The Block, the group's reunion album, comes 20 years after Hangin' Tough went multi-platinum. The guys look a lot more hardy now, a sure draw for old-time female fans, now in their mid 20s to 30s.
Although many fans will be pleased to see the guys back in the studio, The Block shows the 'new kids' trying too hard to assimilate into modern trends, showing nothing new whatsoever. While most of the album is listenable, there is a desperate undercurrent running throughout the album. The group is also overpowered by a host of big-name producers and guest artists. The album's producers and writers include Akon, RedOne, Polow Da Don, Teddy Riley, Timbaland and Nazaree (who apparently helped ignite the whole creative process).
Knowing how old these guys are now and where they've come from admittedly made it hard for me to enjoy this album. Men approaching forty who are still singing (or rapping) about partying in the club is not cool. In expanding to the often adolescent lyrics, the yield is over-reliant on electronics. How about some live instruments guys!
With the fancy version being a huge 17 tracks deep, there are throwaway songs aplenty. The lyrically clichéd Sexify My Love and Dirty Dancing could have made way for a more focused collection, and appearances by Ne-Yo and Akon don't necessarily add to the group's whole gloss. 2 In The Morning could have been a decent track had it not been for some unnecessary auto-tune elements and some weak lyrical content.
But Full Service, while run through the synth ringer, effectively features New Kids on the Block forefathers New Edition crooning along to a bouncy rhythm.
Summertime is a decent track amongst a chunk of filler. Click Click Click is someone else highlight with its breathy slow groove riding on handclaps and vocal gymnastics. The cut could have been admittedly included into an 'N Sync set which clearly shows where Justin and the boys garnered a large whole of affect from.
I just wish these guys showed their maturity more on the actual album. There is a theorize why a lot of bands and musical groups retire and stay retired. The New Kids should have taken a leaf out of their book.
Available though Interscope Records.
New Kids on the Block - The Block Album review
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