Black and Blue

Backstreet Boys' previous outing Millennium was a tough act to follow, combining as it did the storming pop of "Larger Than Life" and the sublime balladry of "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely". Black & Blue is a worthy successor, if a slightly more mature sound for the boys. There is plenty of up-tempo pop, such as the catchy advice dished out on "Get Another Boyfriend", and the slinky beat-riddled R&B of "Shining Star", nicely balanced with some smooth ballads--you can almost hear the lighters sparking up as the Spanish guitar gently plucks away on "I Promise You (With Everything I Am)". However, it's when they take up immediately where "Millennium" left off that they are at their strongest--"The Answer To Our Life" and "Not For Me" form a sturdy bridge from their previous output, onwards to the future. If this is the state of things to come, the future is decidedly rosy for AJ, Nick, Brian, Kevin and Howie. --Helen Marquis

Label: Unknown
Studio: Jive
Released: 2000-11-20
Format: Audio CD