The Block [Deluxe Edition]

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What Customers Say About The Block [Deluxe Edition]:

This isn't a complaint as much as it is an observation but what most surprised me about the album is I did not care for any of the ballads. Now, at the risk of sounding derogatory towards Donnie - and as much as I like the guy - his voice nor his technique is the best and why he was allowed to vocally dominate is beyond me. The upbeat, dance songs have more bite and more engagement from the guys where the ballads seem flat and obligatory. While some of these songs are unabashed pop songs, they sound nothing like the 80's material that made them famous. Even if Joe did seem to blow the others out of the water, his power is impressive. The context and message between them are as different as night and day.

Ironically, one of the finest moments on the album was where Joe's vocal power was well enveloped in the crescendo of "One Song". The use of auto-tune in "2 in the Morning" is stupid, making the vocals sound unnatural. Finally, where the heck is Danny. A curiosity: Jordan had a hand in the writing of two the songs and Danny zero - which given their heavy input on earlier NKOTB albums strikes me as a bit odd. Speaking of vocally dominating, the clashing of Joe's explosive power against the vocals of the other guys is maddening. His ad-libs ending the song perfectly suited his voice as well.

I'm glad that they did not attempt to duplicate their 80's sound. Joe pretty much drowns everyone. The most obvious of this is in "Don't Cry" where Joe's vocals are so loud it sounds as if Jordan is straining to reach Joe's heights. Also, this song would have sounded better if Jordan had sang it alone - his vocals fit this style of music better than Donnie's chop-chop style he used in the song. Donnie vocally dominates the album - singing most of the songs and the verses. The song would have fared much better if Joe or Jordan had sang it solo. I think some of their lyrics are tongue-in-cheek - and it appears they did want to have some fun with this album instead of taking themselves so seriously. They are grown men now and the lyrics reflect it.

How the pendulum swings. Donnie has remarkably stepped up his vocal game - I always considered him the weakest singer of the group - but his voice and technique are considerably better than yesteryear. Donnie's emergence on this album as a vocal player was interesting - he was the mastermind behind the reunion, bamboozling the guys back in. It seems whoever mastered this album was unsure of how to handle Joe's powerhouse vocals. Some of the lyrics are downright amusing. His emergence as being the "leader" of the group is interesting as well. However, I was rather relieved they did not attempt to write Barney-like "I love you, you love me, we're so happy" hackneyed, high school poetry lyrics, the kind that made them famous.

Still, his vocals pale in comparison to Jordan's or Joe's. It would have been foolish. He had one of the best voices in the group and for him to be nearly silent on this album is a bit odd. They sang "Click Click Click" and "Single" well together but why they clashed on the ballads is beyond me.

It would have been embarrassing to attempt to have songs with innocent lyrics at their age. The annoyances: An immediate annoyance was the sharing of vocals - they did not take turns singing verses in their hey-day and I'm not sure why they felt the need to do it now. I heard him briefly in two songs but he did not sing a single verse on the album.

Given the nature of the guys' solo efforts, I'm not surprised this is the direction they took on this comeback. It's as if the ballads and dance songs are meant for two different albums. Given the current Puritanical climate of the country, I wasn't surprised to see complaints against the sexual references in some of the songs. It's not too hard to see humor in the lyrics of "Lights, Camera, Action" or "Grown Man".What I liked best about the album is the vocals - with the stand outs of course being Jordan's nuanced vocals and Joe's powerhouse singing.

The ballads are overly dramatic and the clashing of vocals makes the guys' voices appear weak. The clashing of vocal styles make this song almost unbearable to listen to. Jordan cannot belt and Joe lacks the emotionality that Jordan has. The good:I liked this album as a whole - I expected upbeat, pop, club cuts and it is exactly what I got.

I've always contended combining Jordan and Joe would produce the perfect singer. Joe's vocals are so much louder than the other guys that it's as if Joe's microphone was turned up to the max during the recording sessions.

"Full Service", and "Grown Man" have also taken a hold of this old fan's heart. I was enchanted. Then one day I took the CD and brought it along as I drove my three nephews to the Mall. But I will be eventually. Well-that's a Blockhead for ya.Buy "The Block". Because I could not bare to find out that perhaps they would not live up to my memories of them. I bought the NKOTB's reunion CD "The Block" months ago-and for months it sat on top of my dresser.

"Hangin' Tough' had always been my fave New Kids song-I think "Dirty Dancing" has taken that mantle. I love the entire CD but those three songs are the ones I listen to over and over again. I never got to see the New Kids in concert (don't ask). I actually bought the red-covered "Block" first-then the blue-cover "Deluxe" edition. Delighted. If their 2009 and 2010 Cruises had not been sold out I would have been there. You won't be disappointed.

OVERJOYED.

Why.

They were listening to their hip hop music and on the return trip I asked them Auntie could take a turn listening to some music-and I popped in "The Block".

They are BETTER than ever if that is possible.

:)

Highly recommend.

I am a coward.

What can I say.

but now I intend to.

All NKOTB fans have been waiting so long for this and Our boys didn't let us down. :o)

They performed most of these songs at their Reunion Tour, and Full Service Tour. Here's how I would rate this album.Click Click Click- 5/5 Joey/Jordan/Donnie on leadSingle- 5/5 Donnie/Joey/Ne-yo on leadBig Girl Now- 3/5 Jordan/Donnie/Lady Gaga on leadSummertime- 5/5 Joey/Jordan/Donnie on lead2 In The Morning- 5/5 Jordan/Donnie on leadGrown Man- 4/5 Donnie on leadDirty Dancing- 5/5 Donnie/Jordan on leadSexify My Love- Donnie/Jordan on leadTwisted- 4.5/5 Joey on leadFull Service- 5/5 Jordan/Donnie/Joey/New Edition on leadLights Camera Action- 2/5 Joey/Jordan/DonniePut It On My Tab- 4/5 Jordan on leadStare At You- 5/5 Joey on leadOne Song- 4/5 Jordan/Donnie/Joey on leadDon't Cry- 4/5 Jordan on lead w/ some JoeyOfficially Over- 4/5 Joey/Donnie/Jordan on leadLooking Like Danger- 4/5 Jordan/Joey/Donnie on leadClose To You- 5/5 Joey on lead Its a mix of today's top hits, with some of their old music. Any New Kids Fan, new or old should get this album. What to say. WOW. This album is amazing. All ages will definitely enjoy this CD.

Trust me, while the style is slightly different, updated in my opinion, these guys still have what it takes to create a wonderful and very enjoyable album. Many of us New Kids fans have dealt with naysayers before and there are still some out there, but anyone with half an ear for decent music cannot deny the strength and quality of this album. Now I'm sure I played my "Hangin' Tough" and "Step by Step" TAPES a ridiculous number of times, in fact, I think I had to purchase "Hangin' Tough" twice because the first cassette wore out. I drove between LA and San Diego yesterday, and never once considered playing a different album.I was playing the music at work the other day, and others were definitely impressed.it's about time people finally woke up and realized NKOTB is for real.