Backstreet's back... alright!

By: Jake Verterano
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: A & E
Source: The Loquitur

"As long as there be music, we'll be coming back again." Nick Carter sang these lyrics in the 1998 classic, "Everybody." Who knew that these lyrics would hold true nearly 10 years later as the Backstreet Boys get set to return to the mainsteam music scene with their upcoming CD, "Unbreakable."

When the band formed in the early 90's they were managed by Lou Pearlman, who is known for managing the well-known New Kids on the Block. The original members of the Backstreet Boys were Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough. The boys worked their way up by performing at birthday parties and shopping malls before gaining a record deal with Jive Records. Their first few years were rough but by 1997 things picked up.

Bands like the Spice Girls and Hanson brought pop music back into the limelight. The boys capitalized on this by releasing the singles "Quit Playing Games With My Heart" and "Everybody" which brought the boys instant success.

Their sophomore album "Millenium" sold 1.13 million copies in the first week alone. The album made the Boys even bigger stars with hits such as "I Want It That Way" and "Larger Than Life." They were Rolling Stones cover boys and also had a deal with Burger King where exclusive CDs were released.

Their follow-up album entitled "Black & Blue" showed a different side of the boys. The pop sound that made many of the fans fall in love with them wasn't as evident on this CD. The music was more personal and the sound changed overall. The big hits from this album were "Shape Of My Heart" and "The Call." The 9/11 attacks fell during the tour the boys were having for this album. Despite the fact one of their crew members was killed that day, the Boys held a concert for less than 5,000 fans the night of the attack.

In 2002 a "Greatest Hits" album was released. The Backstreet Boys were against the release but it came out. In 2005 the album "Never Gone" debuted, with hits such as "Incomplete" and "Just Want You To Know."

"I am so excited for this album! I love the Backsteet Boys. I don't care how old they are, they're still sexy!" Leah Hannan, resident assistant and junior social work major, said. "I went to their concert a few years ago and it was the greatest night of my life. I would love to see them again!"

A tour has not been announced yet but if album sales go well fans can expect a tour.

"As a former fan, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to this album. The Boys have always created some fun tracks. You can't have an awesomely bad dance party without some BSB," Hannan said..

While they've got their share of pop songs, the Backstreet Boys have also produced some pretty meaningful ballads. Fans are greatly anticipating what sound the Boys will have on their upcoming album.

"I'm not really sure what I'd like to hear on their upcoming album," sophmore secondary education major Lindsay Buckley said. "I love rocking out to their early stuff. There's always time for a little "Quit Playing Games With My Heart." But overall, I think it's time for a new sound."

While the boys seem eager for their upcoming album, they will be doing it with only four members. "Unbreakable" will be the boys' first album without Kevin Richardson. Richardson left the group last summer to concentrate on his solo career.

"Kevin was my favorite one," Buckley said,"It's going to be a tough adjustment."

There is no doubt that Richardson will be missed but the Backstreet Boys have moved on so why can't the fans? Their first single titled "Inconsolable" is now available. The song is a power ballad that has a very similar sound to the 2005 hit "Incomplete."

"If this is any indication of what the rest of the album will sound like, I'm excited!" Hannan said.

The rest of the album remains a mystery at this point and speculation will probably continue until the actual release date. The album will hit stores everywhere on Oct. 30.