Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Boys are back in town


UNBREAKABLE ~ Backstreet Boys

It’s hard to believe that this is the Boys 6th studio album (7th if you count their greatest hits collection). This time round the group has been reduced to a four piece, but thankfully this has had little effect on the quality of their output (no offence to Kevin!!!). Their last album “Never Gone” wasn’t exactly their finest hour, but “Unbreakable” is definitely a return to form :)

With each new album, they always try their best to move with the times and throw in a couple of "current" sounding tracks. But in the end they cant seem to escape that clearly identifiable "Backstreet Boys sound" that they started with their first album, way back in 1995 (that’s 13 years ago, boys and girls!). Not that having an established sound is a bad thing. Fans will love the album, as all the songs have a comfortable familiarity to them, but it worries me that after SO many years, they've been unable to progress musically. But maybe I shouldn’t blame them for sticking with what works :P

The production is suitably slick. As well as the lead single (which just gets better with each listen) there are some excellent songs on the disc. And the Boys still know how to work those trademark harmonies of theirs. I got the deluxe edition of the album, which has three bonus songs, and at 17 tracks, the album drags a little towards the end. Then again, if there were fewer tracks, I’d be moaning that the album is too short! There’s just no pleasing me :P As far as Backstreet Boys go, the album is a winner.

Standout Tracks:
  • Everything But Mine
  • Inconsolable
  • Something That I Already Know
  • Helpless When She Smiles
  • Any Other Way
  • One In A Million
  • Panic
  • Treat Me Right

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