Backstreet Boys Black & Blue CD

Backstreet Boys: Kevin Richardson, Howard "Howie D" Dorough, Alexander James "AJ" McLean, Brian "B-Rok" Littrell, Nick Carter.
Additional personnel includes: Rodney Jerkins (various instruments); Tony Battaglia (acoustic guitar); Henrik Janson, Esbjorn Ohrwall, Peter Svensson, Max Martin, Michael Thompson (guitar); Per Magnusson (keyboards, programming); Nathan East, Thomas Lindberg (bass); Gustave Lund (percussion); Babyface (background vocals); Stockholm Session Strings.
Producers include: Max Martin, Rami, Kristian Lundin, Rodney Jerkins, Babyface.
Engineers include: Per Magnusson, David Kreuger, George Spatta.
"Shape Of My Heart" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Personnel: Backstreet Boys (background vocals); Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, Kevin Richardson, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell (vocals); Esbjörn Öhrwall (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Babyface (guitar, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals); Mike Thomson, Henrik Janson, Max Martin, Peter Svensson, Randy Bowland (guitar); Tony Battaglia (acoustic guitar); Stockholm Session Strings (strings); David Krueger, Per Magnusson (keyboards, programming); Gustave Lund (percussion); Jimmy Bralower (drum programming).
Audio Mixers: Chris Trevett; Max Martin; Rami.
Recording information: Battery Studios, New York, NY; Brandon's Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA; Cheiron Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; EMI Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; Franciz & Lepont Studio, Bergshamra, Sweden; L.A. East Studios, Salt Lake City, UT; Pacifique Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Parc Studios, Orlando, FL; Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; The Bubble, Stockholm, Sweden; The Hook Nook, Winter Springs, FL.
Editor: Flip Osman.
Photographer: Resig.
Arrangers: LePont; David Krueger; Howie Dorough; Fraciz; Per Magnusson; Timmy Allen.
When 'N Sync usurped the Backstreet Boys' record of number of albums sold in a single week early in 2000, it had to hurt the Backstreets, since it was played in the press as if they had lost the teen pop throne. By the time the group released their third album, Black & Blue, Thanksgiving week 2000, 'N Sync was still popular, but the arc of No Strings Attached illustrated that they were weak where the Backstreets were strong -- namely, they couldn't really deliver the seductive mid-tempo pop tunes and ballads that were the backbone of the Boys' crossover success. Songs like "Shape of My Heart," which flows as gracefully as "I Want It That Way," prove that the Backstreet Boys do teen pop ballads better than anyone, but what's interesting about Black & Blue is how aggressively they protect their territory. Of course, it's relative protection, since they, like 'N Sync and Britney Spears, work with Max Martin, the man behind the biggest hits by all three artists. Consequently, it's not a coincidence that "Get Another Boyfriend" is a dead ringer for "It's Gonna Be Me" crossed with "Baby One More Time," but what gives Black & Blue character is that it's clear that the Backstreets want to remain kings of their world. So, the ballads are smoother than ever, and their dance numbers hit harder, all in an attempt to keep their throne. It works, even if it takes a couple spins before the singles stand out, since the Backstreets' material and voices are stronger than that of their peers, adding up to state of the art teen-pop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The title of this album by the mega-platinum boy band might conceivably refer to the emotional state conveyed in some of the songs. While there are the requisite pledges of undying love ("Shining Star," "I Promise You"), several of the tunes on BLACK & BLUE deal with romantic turbulence, such as the opening track "The Call" and the vengeful "Get Another Boyfriend." While some of the songs are unsurprisingly provided by teen pop maestro Max Martin, several selections here were written by the Backstreet Boys themselves, proving conclusiveRolling Stone (12/21/00, p.170) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Loud, hook-crazy, classic Swedish pop....[they] live up to the groove-ballad legacy of 'I Want It That Way' and 'Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)'..."