New Kids On The Block ft. Ne-Yo - 'Single'
Someone alert the trade descriptions people. We have a problem. They're not new, they're not kids, they're not on, and they're not even A block, let alone THE block. Thankfully their new single is called 'Single', which may act in their favour, although not everyone in the band actually IS single, so maybe not.
And you can't be too hard on the lads for coming back and using their very youth-oriented brand, as it's the only way the general public will recognise them (and even then, they might struggle with Jon), but as a band name for these five men, it is so wrong it makes Boyzone seem right, it makes Westlife make sense, and it couldn't be more misleading if it was changed to Girls Aloud On The Sugababes.
Still the passing years have allowed the *cough* Kids to grow into their looks a little bit, which is always nice. Now, instead of five over-eager doe-eyed rapscallions doing wet lettuce breakdancing and pretending to be hard, we're watching a movie in which Rupert Everett, Jimmy Carr, John Travolta, Mark Wahlberg and the bass player from Radiohead (see picture) get to pretend to be a white, five-man Usher, while Ne-Yo swans about in one of his many hats.
It's funny how there seems to be a uniform for boybands even when they get back together, isn't it? Boyzone, Take That, and now New Kids, all rocking the shirt and tie look, with a dapper waistcoat and maybe a flamboyant hankie to show they've not entirely given up on their peacock past. And everyone loves a rogueish man in smart clothing, don't they?
(No, Jonathan, not you. Shh!)
And if this attention to sartorial detail means that the music they're now making is more than a little anonymous, well, that's the problem with trying to update your sound for the modern age. I mean, why get a 5-piece vocal band back together if you're going to slather all the vocals in that ridiculous auto-tune robo-noise?
It's fine if you're just starting out, but this is the band your mum told your gran she was going to marry when she grew up. The very least you expect from grown-ups is a little bit of dignity in their twilight years. Not some desperate bout of off-showing to try and retain your youth edginess. That's just sad.
Still, nice of Ne-Yo to lend Donnie a hat...
Download: Out now
CD Released: November 10th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 9th Nov 2008, lennonsrealgal wrote:Fraser, are you not meant to be reviewing the song...not the group name?
Their new album is excellent...much better than previous stuff. And they were one of the original boy bands, who thankfully didn't stick to ballads. And they were around in theearly 90's not that long ago. "Single" is great, but there is much better to come.
Obviously you were one of many boys that got jealous over us females talking about which one we liked best. So Fraser, yes they have got older and grown up...why haven't you?
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Nov 2008, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:I'm thinking it's probably a hormone deficiency...nice of you to point it out though.
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Nov 2008, kazzba_1 wrote:Love the song, love the video, love the album and the guys look amazing!!. Just a typical male view on the guys which will never change, you are entitiled to your own views but please change the record, the name change is getting so boring now it's years old. No matter how many crap reviews or pathetic comments are written it doesn't excuse the fact that the guys are enormously talented at what they do whichever way you look at it.
Let me just finish saying that the guys are being themselves, always have always will. You can not compare them to anyone but themselves. Also the copycat style you are talking about, the guys have dressed like that before the other bands returned.
Anyway!! the BLOCK are back so LETS GET THIS!! :)
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Comment number 4.
At 16th Nov 2008, superjules_1 wrote:I completely agree with the first comment made is this a review of the single or a criticism of the band. Regarding the single I love it and the album has some great tracks on it, I was just wondering why it has had no air play? I have both the New Kids album and Ne-Yo's year of the gentleman and the single features on both; however, I wonder if Ne-Yo had released this track would we have heard more of it! x
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Comment number 5.
At 26th Jan 2009, Brockie76 wrote:Ok, so what they are no longer New Kids, they are still the original and the best boy band.
I dont think i have ever heard 'Single' played on Radio 1.
The song is awesome, along with the rest of the album The Block.
So how about you drop the attitude and play the song.
LET'S GET THIS!!!
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Comment number 6.
At 1st Feb 2009, r0gu3y wrote:New Kids On The Block are the orginal boy band, forget Take That and Boyzone.
I dont see anyone slaggin them off to the hilts now that thy've reformed.
The new album is ace, modern and up-to date, I wonder if you've actually listened to all of it???
Even my friends and family who were'nt into the lads back in the day think that the new album is brill.
Perhaps you haven't seen the support from UK fans, I think that we alone prove that your review is aload of male bunkum.
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Comment number 7.
At 4th Feb 2009, katilda wrote:I think that the slating of their look is clutching at straws a bit... There's nowt wrong with a nice sharp suite for a video! You have to remember that they are all mid to late 30's now so they are dressing appropriately.
I was a massive fan of theirs when I was young and never had the chance to see them. I am now 28 and went to my first concert last month and they put on a great show. They played their old songs and some songs off the new album which I really liked and then went and bought the album. Its VERY American but then - they ARE American! Single is a great track and no different to a lot of singles released by American artists that do very well here.
To younger people who may not have experienced the magnitude of their success first time round, NKOTB may not appeal. However, as ticket sales have shown in the UK, there is still a huge demand for these guys. And as an original 'Blockhead' I am so grateful to the boys for slogging their guts out doing tour after tour to please all their fans. They're hard working, kind guys who really do not deserve bad press for it.
There are no comparisons with Take That - they are two completely different bands. And, lest not forget that the only reason they reformed is because Gary Barlow had a shed load of material written and finally (penny dropped) that no one would ever hear it unless the other guys were involved. British press is very fickle. Not so long back Gary Barlow was ridiculed constantly... How the tables turn!
Et finir!
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Comment number 8.
At 4th Feb 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Hi Katilda,
I take your point - beautifully argued too - but I will say that I wasn't slating their look at all. It's entirely fitting, it's just funny that all the grown-up boybands are doing it at once.
And that's the only time I mentioned Take That (a band who've also been gently mocked in this blog, and will continue to be so).
As for the jealousy argument...it's really not true. But if that Morten Harket came round to my house for a cup of tea, I'd probably sneeze in it. :-)
Fraser
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Comment number 9.
At 5th Feb 2009, Dawn-W wrote:Hi Fraser,
So will thier new single, 2 in the morning; which I believe is due for release on 9th Feb, get any airplay on Radio 1?
It would be a real shame if it didn't.
As every other fan has written, the new album is excellent and by far better than the original material. They have collaborated with big names such as Akon, Neyo, Lady GaGa and Nicole from Pussycat Dolls - these artists would not have their name or voices to an album with no merit.
Come on be fair, give them some airtime.
Thank you
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Comment number 10.
At 7th Mar 2009, puh-leaze wrote:The New Kids were the original boyband and now that they're back and still continuing to make great music will attest to that fact.
Boyzone, Take That and Westlife are nothing in comparison - the music that they produce are completely different types of pop.
I'm sure if this song was Neyos or Usher's then you would find it more agreeable. You're just not liking it because the New Kids are on it, and it seems to be the current 91Èȱ¬ Music mandate to dislike them at every opportunity.
I hope you have some criticism saved if Blur or any other rock/indie /punk bands decide to get back together, it seems that pop is always under attack.
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Comment number 11.
At 8th Mar 2009, catman231 wrote:Are 'The Beatles' not the original boyband?
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Comment number 12.
At 15th Mar 2009, puh-leaze wrote:Catman231 - depends on what you would regard as a boyband.
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