Black & Blue - Backstreet Boys (CD 2000)

Recently I have been running short on Epinions.com music "items" to review. So, its time to turn to the vaults! This time the selection has been made that the Backstreet Boys' CD "Black and Blue" will be reviewed. Trust me, you won't be black or blue, nor black and blue when we're finished. This CD is a great example of the Backstreet Boys' ability to sing. Let's hit the backstreet and set our cruise control to a slow thirty miles per hour and relax, shall we? Here we go....

The cover of the CD is as simple as saying that one half is black with blue-lettered words spelling "BLACK" while the other side is blue with black lettered words spelling "BLUE". The ampersand remains gray and is the dividing point for both of the colors.

~*Song One--"The Call"--Length-3:24*~
The song starts out with a phone call where one of the boys is talking to his girlfriend, telling her that he'll be late, and not to worry about him. Sounds like he was cheating on her, actually. The song is fairly fast paced, and keeps a good beat. However, the song is not something that makes me feel better inside. Cheating isn't a good thing, and the Backstreet Boys don't think it is either, but why they chose to sing about it is beyond me. It doesn't make for a good song. So, with that in mind, I have to drop the overall rating of the song. Final score...3 stars of 5. It could be better, but this song doesn't have a whole lot of potential.

~*Song Two--"Shape of My Heart"--Length-3:50*~
This song is one of the better songs on the disc. "Baby, please try to forgive me" is the first line in the song. The song is pretty slow paced to start, but picks up a little bit of speed in the chorus. Here, we can hear the humble spirit of a man who has done some things he shouldn't have, but he still loves the woman. "Now let me show you the shape of my heart" they sing in unison. It's got some very well executed vocal ranges too, which makes this song almost beautiful. The ability to listen to this and soak it all in is crucial here, and it's not difficult to do. Just listen to the lyrics, you'll understand. Very good song. Final score...4 1/2 stars of 5.

~*Song Three--"Get Another Boyfriend"--Length-3:05*~
This song has very evident bass "thumps" as you listen, and the beat is very infectious. Other synthesizer effects are added, which only add to the dramatics of the song. The chorus is superb, with vocal ranges and background effects acting as the song's core. The sweeping noise heard right before the chorus is very dramatic and makes the "listen" word feel very strong. From what I can tell the song is one of the Backstreet Boys talking to a friend of his (a girl) and that the guy she's going with is no good, in fact, a "player who's just playing in the name of love". Song has a good point, and as I said before, the beats and background effects make this song the best it can be. Final score....4 stars of 5.

~*Song Four--"Shining Star"--Length-3:22*~
This song seems to be even more full of bass than the previous one. The pace is fairly fast too, so there's no slowing down yet. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any lead vocal performances here even though you can hear all of them singing. I don't know if that's the result they wanted or not, but that's what they got. There are background effects added into the mix like handclaps and extremely fast drumbeats every now and then. You'll have to be a good listener to pick up on them. I don't understand what the song is about but "shining star" and "girlfriend" seem to go together. Logical deduction would tell me that the singers are praising their girlfriends for who they are. It's a decent song but it is nothing memorable. Final score--3 stars of 5.

~*Song Five--"I Promise You"--Length-4:23*~
From the introduction I can tell this song will be slow. Finally we have a chance to take a breather and listen in. Guitars and stringed instruments compose a major portion of this ballad, plus a few light "airy" instruments can be heard too so that they can add to the feel. The Boys promise to love until "death do us part" and "with everything I am". It's a very innocent song and I like it. Final score--4 stars of 5.

~*Song Six--"The Answer to our Life"--Length-3:18*~
This song has some sort of instrumental "ditty" before the actual song starts, and that "ditty" catches my attention and I think I'm going to like the song throughout. Turns out I do like this song. It has a pretty good beat too and this song makes me happy, even though that's not the tone it is intended to. "I need a reason, I need a sign, there's no turning back, I'm here by your side...is it today, or maybe tonight..we'll find...the answer to our lives." Sounds like they might wanna get married? The singers seem dedicated about being in love and that they want to make something happen. Well, I suppose we will find out sooner or later through new songs and CD's they publish. Good song. Final score--4 stars of 5.

~*Song Seven--"Everyone"--Length-3:30*~
Some more background "voices" are used here along with the ever-familiar bass and drum effect. The songs are beginning to get just a bit similar to another, so unfortunately I am going to have to drag down the rating a tad. Thankfully a different subject is sung about, as the Backstreet Boys "kiss their fans" for being there for them. Obviously fans are crucial to a band's success and the Boys know this. A very good base for a song, and the stock to this "soup" is that the lyrics make good sense. Pace is variated throughout, but the chorus is faster than the rest. Thanks guys. Final score--3 3/4 stars of 5.

~*Song Eight--"More Than That"--Length-3:44*~
My favorite song on the entire disc. The first line is "I can see that you've been crying. . . what's the use in you denying that what you had was wrong". The song seems to be about another boyfriend that has treated a girl unfairly. The Boys try to convince the girl that they can "love her more than that". The vocal performances intermixing with the background instruments make this song sound absolutely fabulous, and turning the volume up as well as pumping the bass just a bit will maximize the listening enjoyability factor. Beautifully composed and orchestrated. Final score...5 stars of 5.

~*Song Nine--"Time"--Length-3:55*~>
This song has that innocent feel as soon as you start it up. The song is slow, but the bass here is sweet. After listening to these guys for about 30 minutes, I am shaking with cold chills. I have no idea why they do it to me, but their music is beautifully pieced together. I can compare these guys to Boys II Men with their ability to make great sounding bass tracks. This song takes more of a slow R & B style, but it fits fairly well. This song is all about time and how it can change a person. Not much more is needed to say about this song..just listen to it, I think you'll like it. Final score...4 stars of 5.

~*Song Ten--"Not For Me"--Length-3:15*~
I liked this song for the snaky sounding effects it used. Bass is used a bit lighter in this song while the beat is pretty fast and infectious yet again. The anger is felt from the guys in this song as they are throwing their emotions out of the speakers and into my ears. The guys have been treated low down and dirty here by their girlfriends and they're giving them the simple scoop that that type of treatment is "not for me". True...I don't think anyone would put up with it for very long. Emotionally filled is a good way to describe this song, with a few "WHOO" sound effects here and there to "blow off" their anger. Good piece. Final score...4 stars of 5.

~*Song Eleven--"Yes I Will"--Length-3:50*~
Some bubbly sound effects start this composition and the bass, drums, and handclaps make themselves comfortable too. The middle of the road pace visits this song, but some people may discern that the song is a bit on the slow side. Whatever your choice, the song's message to broadcast is that the Boys want to find the right girl and "someday start a family" with her. Another well-written song with strong lyrics. Score...4 stars of 5.

~*Song Twelve--"It's True"--Length-4:13*~
The piano has found a niche to belong to, in the twelfth song on the disc. A very slow pace will be heard, and the contrite spirit of the Boys is shown. "It's true...I mean it, from the bottom of my heart...yeah...it's true...without you I would fall apart"...these guys just seem to have so much devotion and love in their hearts. Hopefully they mean it, because they make for some great emotional ballads. These guys can at times be emotional powerhouses. The humble spirit here is something that many singers (especially boy bands) do not sing about. (Technically they aren't a boy band...they're not BOYS even though they call themselves BACKSTREET BOYS). They sing like real men should...with sincerity and love. Great song...4 1/2 stars of 5.

~*Song Thirteen--"What Makes You Different"--Length-3:33*~
Another song that attempts to overwhelm with emotional appeal. If a woman (or girl) can't listen to this and melt then they must have problems. "What makes you different makes you beautiful" is the key phrase in this song, and it's used very well. Middle of the road pace is the speed here. Decent song, but nothing groundbreaking. Final score...3 3/4 stars of 5.

~*Song Fourteen--"How Did I Fall in Love With You"--Length-4:04*~
Another piano makes a beautiful entrance here, and it almost sounds like an instrumental-only piece..but then the singing starts. Oh well...it only lasted for a moment. One singer starts out the song, and I can barely understand what he's saying, but that's because my volume isn't up right now. The chorus goes.."What did I do, to make you mine....falling so hard, so fast this time...what did I say, what did you do? How did I fall in love with you?" Sounds like they just "stumbled" upon this relationship they had. Hehe..well, things have a way of sneaking up on you. The song is sung very well, and the soft feel is pleasing to my ears. Very nice ballad. Final score...5 stars of 5.

*NOTE: A bonus track was included on this CD that I cannot review due to the fact that Windows Media Player won't access it.*

Another music review completed. The Backstreet Boys have done an excellent job of vocal performances filled with emotion and praise. I really enjoyed this composition and I believe you will enjoy it if you're a Backstreet Boys fan, and even if you aren't a fan, a purchase of this disc will certainly net you a good listening experience. I wish the Boys the best of luck and success throughout their music career.

Unlike the box below, I recommend you listen to this music when you have time to do this and nothing else. Just ignore what the box says.

I also give this product a 4 and 1/2 instead of a 5, because it's not the best music I've ever heard, but it's very good.