Okay, I wasn't too sure where I should put this. People keep asking me what I think about Black&Blue, so I thought I'd write it all out. Some have found my verbal reaction amusing, but I didn't think this would fit in the humor section. So I guess this works as "stuff"...
Where to begin?
Let's talk about this album cover.
Very clever, Nicky. The whole shadow thing threw me off at first-- I thought
something had spilled on the cover [dude, I was pissed]. But then I noticed
the stuff on the blue side...yes, a light bulb went on.
What about that CD jacket?
Well...the pictures are interesting. Guess the camera got to Howie before
the straightening iron did. Why Nick somehow came in contact with a entire
bottle of hair gel I guess I'll never figure out.
Again the thank-yous were a bit of a laugh. Last time, Nick had a code.
This time, he dared to be different yet again--I've seen people on the net
trying to figure out what night he wrote this thank you, going on the info
that his favorite football team lost or something.
I will have to say this--where the BEEP did the lyrics go? If it's about
the music, and not the image...then where are the freaking lyrics
TO the music?! I know that I've challenged the printed lyrics in the previous
album jackets, but still--it's nice to have something to go on....u know,
some groups have all their lyrics in their CD jackets *cough*hint*cough*
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Now onto the actual songs.
The beginning of The Call made me think it was going to be a speedy version
of something like Spanish Eyes with the few strings of Latin-type music...but
, boy, was I thrown off. good grief. for me, this track was very unexpected--I
guess it's a concrete example or their "growth," huh?
I wonder who decided AJ's voice would best fit the part of the cheating
boyfriend =)
A lot of people have asked me if I know who the girl is. Do you think I
know these things? I wish. Prolly one of the Boys' friends or relatives or
something. No biggie. I for one am not losing sleep over her identity.
Nick seems to hyperventilating when he gets to sing about making the
call and lying, but that's the dramatic blonde one for you. I seriously can't
see Howie singing any of this; it's too...mean...for him, u know? ::shrugs::
the whole song has a sort of edge/bite or something to it. the break is interesting,
both with the repetitive "Hello?" and "Baby, Baby, I'm sorry"...as well
as their little interlude of opera, or whatever u want to call it.
The effect of the 'click' or a phone hanging up at the end...nice.
Shape Of My Heart...guess I should go with the reaction I had when I heard
it on the radio. If I remember correctly, I called it "too poppy"...for some
reason it seemed too bubble-gum popish for me. But these boys have an odd
ability of growing on me...it's happened b4. Their first album I got was the
1st US album, and that was only because I liked Quit Playing Games - I practically
hated all the other songs on the thing...now look at me. And when I first
heard I Want It That Way, I thought they were insane for making it Millennium's
1st single. But I'm odd like that.
Now this has grown on me. The bridge is really nice. The verses seem
a bit too low note-wise, though - I'm an alto and it's hard me to sing them;
I have to go an octave higher. From what I've seen/heard from the Boys performing
the song, the verses seem a bit low for AJ and Brian too...but, it's the Boys'
song; let them sing it how they want.
I've seen a lot of parallels with this album and Millennium...I call this
Black&Blue's I Want It That Way.
I thought the guys would stay away from digitalized/synthesized stuff,
but then comes Get Another Boyfriend. I'm not saying it's bad, though.
again... it seems seems...angry! AJ's scaring me ::cries::
This had some growing to do too...now I really like it. 'Specially the repeat
of "playa'" in the chorus...
Nice almost-rap for Nick ["or was it all the promises ofdiamondspearlsandpartydresses
that turned you on? "]...took me awhile to get that.
The break...all the "w-w-why" thingies etc...I still need to get used to
it. I haven't been able to decipher who's voice it is yet.
AJ's yell sounds a bit familiar, huh? [it's in the beginning of That's The
Way I Like It, right?] he's prolly perfected it by now. ;o)
Btw - who let Nick grow up again? Damn his voice sounds really good
at times.
Shining Star scared the crap out of me the 1st time I heard it...and it
still sometimes gets me. it just starts, boom - there goes my heart.
no intro to warn u. sheesh...especially when I put my player on random, I
have no freaking clue when it's coming.
I saw the lyrics for this online b4 hearing the song, and seriously thought
it was going to be a sappy, corny love song. It's actually pretty good...the
lyrics are a bit simplistic, but - another parallel - it's Black&Blue's
version of It's Gotta Be You...seems like a "just for fun" kinda song.
I have no clue who says "dark child, Backstreet, c'mon" - okay? just like
I don't know who the girl from The Call is, kiddies. I don't even understand
this whole "dark child" thing - I've heard it in other people's songs too.
The two bridges/breaks are interesting. The second one sounds - yes, again
- angry! Especially "my bayBAY, bayBAY"...so aggressive, huh, Boys?
::looks around cautiously:: okay, I guess some people love I Promise You...but
this has some serious growing to do on me, I'm sorry.
first off, I saw it's title on the sticky on the CD saying "including the
hits..." that usually means the songs named are going to be singles [it was
that way for millennium, but Don't Lose You Now was on that list, but never
got on the air *sniff*] ...if this becomes a single - assuming it won't grow
on me by then - someone is going to get hurt!
the 1st few bars screamed "country" to me...the title made me think of 98
Degree's "I Do (Cherish You)" as well as NS's "This I Promise You"...
I don't want to be harsh. It's an okay song. It's just a bit too sappy for
me, but a lot of people like it. And besides, I'm the girl who feels
the same way about Anywhere For You and I'll Never Break You Heart...so...yeah.
I'll shut up now.
The beginning notes of The Answer To Our Life are cool. It's nice that those notes repeat throughout the song. Yhe tune is simple, but good. The bridge still has to grow on me, but after the that, the two refrains are good....this reaction may be shorter than the rest, but what else can I say? It's a great song...and they wrote it allllll by themselves. GO BOYS! ;o)
The way Everyone begins is SO good. Again, the digitalized/synthesized
stuff is a nice added touch.
The circus break is cool. I bet this song will open the Black&Blue tour
[like Larger Than Life did for the Into Millennium Tour]...I can't wait to
see how this is choreographed.
When I 1st saw the title, it was a bit odd because the Boys already have
"Everybody"...
Like I said with the parallels...this is SO the Larger Than Life for Black&Blue...It's
a great equivalent. Bravo.
Okay...More Than That...GOOD FREAKING LORD. I completely melted
with the first few chords. AHHH. Good grief. Do they want me to turn to
complete jelly!? Every second of this song is heaven...! From the
first few notes to the powerful-ballad chorus to the beautifully simple solo
by Brian with the guitar to the perfect ending--sheesh. The lyrics are so
sweet and the tune is AHH...
This is my favorite song of all time. Period. No arguments.
::breathes:: Okay, okay, past the initial meltdown...
I love the shimmering-type sound in the beginning. The percussion and guitar
in the background music is really nice. The way sounds keep getting added
in as the song progresses is beautiful.
Nick's voice seems really prominent/ separate from the other guys when they
sing the chorus, except for the last line of it when AJ's is more apparent...His
voice sounded a bit nasal at the end of the 2nd chorus, but I'll live... The
bridge with violin in the background is nice...Brian's solo/refrain with the
guitar near the end - AHH - sweetness... The way it ends is good - no fading
repeated lines, just a final chord of all their voices.
I see this as this album's Don't Wanna Lose You Now...If you Boys know what's
good for you, you'll make THIS song a single.
Hmm...Time has a bit of growing to do. Mad props to the Boys for writing it, and to Babyface for producing it....but...I like their other group song a bit better. The subject matter for both songs seem a bit similar, huh? ;o) In the long run, it's a good song...just a bit too slow for me, but that's me, the weirdo.
Not For Me = extremely catchy song, good equivalent for Don't Want You
Back. Nice touch again with the digitalized/synthesized stuff =)...
It's kinda cute thinking of them singing "No-no, Uh-Uh"
The break is nice...Brian's "Yeaheah-ah" so rings a bell from one
of their old songs...I dunno which one. This is going to bother me.
Yes I Will is kinda in the same boat as I Promise You...I dunno. The high point for me is when the break comes and AJ sings "Baby, I'll be there" when he has a good sync with the music. I know a lot of people like this song too. It's too hip-hop/r&b or something, whatever that beat is. Aside from the beat, the lyrical content gets to me too - a bit too sappy. But no one has to listen to me. I'm the crazy one.
Like Shape Of My Heart, I didn't have to wait for the actual album to
hear It's True. I wonder if the Boys realize I got up extra early to go to
Burger King =)
When I first heard it, it took me awhile to realize who was singing what
- their voices sounded different. One of my friends couldn't get over the
effect of "sorry" echoed when Brian sings.
it's a good simple song. Black&Blue's Back To Your Heart is definitely
It's True. Go Kevin. kinda interesting how the subject matter is kinda
similar...
I was one of the insane people who made a special trip to Walmart for
the extra track...I hope they realize Walmart is not at all NEAR or
CLOSE some of us [I hate driving for sooo long...grrr]. With that complaint
said and done, was it worth it just to get What Makes You Different (Makes
You Beautiful) ? hmm.
The chorus is nice, though I'm not too fond of "you're all I need,
oh girl" but oh well. Same with "thangs" in the 2nd verse. The background
just before the end sorta gets on my nerves ("everything in you is beautiful...")
not the lyrics of it, just the tune and pitches - the song would be so much
better without it, but I've heard a lot of people like it.
But overall, it's a pretty cool song...go Howie =)
Notice D got a lot of solos ;o) I have this feeling he likes Brian's voice
best...just a hunch. AJ prolly falls second...
How Did I Fall In Love With You came close to what More Than That did to
me. I didn't completely melt into a pile of goo, but I really like
it.
The very very beginning notes made me think of He Loves U Not by Dream,
but never mind.
Brian sounds so...AWW! I want to hug him as he opens this song. I still
can't get over how Howie can hit those high notes...
The chorus - I went almost completely gaga. Those lyrics...ahh. This thing
is so sweet. The bridge...eep. This song is just so good. GO HOWIE!
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Closing thoughts...
I'm so happy that this album has more than 12 tracks...
I have noticed that other artists do have over 14 tracks on their
albums , tho *hint*cough*hint*
I think they finally realized that "up-tempo" songs are good...
Milennium seemed a bit lacking in that department (4 out of 12 songs!!)...
I totally expected for like 5 of the songs to be written by Brian...but I guess I was wrong.
I already yelled and screamed in "Sporadic Notes" about this, but I'll
say it again - WTF happened to Where Can We Go From Here and expecially
Who Do You Love?
At least the latter had been promised on Millennium - the Boys even sang
the thing acapella on Regis&Kathy Lee saying it was for "the next album,"
a.k.a. Millennium.
When it didn't show, I hoped and prayed it'd get on Black&Blue. I guess
I hoped and prayed in vain.....grrr.
Good job not making a compelete album about "love"...
last time there was Larger Than Life and Perfect Fan to negate some of the
stereotype
...now we've got The Answer To Our Life, Everyone, and Time [all bunched
together in the track listing, too]...
yes, only three, one more than last time, but then there are the twists
like The Call and Get Another Boyfriend
All the digitalized/synthesized stuff - took me by surprise, but
I really like the effect.
Noticed most of the time it was Nick's voice used =) ...tho sometime Brian,
and maybe AJ
Hey, btw - where's KEVIN'S solo!?
He got a song on the 1st album, a line in the 2nd, a verse and a bridge
in the 3rd...
now nothing 'cept for backup?
Arrite, who wants to fight!? grrr
Besides that - very good album.
Yes, the Boys do grow - I mean, if u compare this to their first album,
u get blown away.
BRAVO. ;o)