Backstreet Boys Hits: Chapter 1 CD

Though it may seem as if the Backstreet Boys have been around forever, it's only been since 1995, as evidenced by the pictures from their first-ever photo shoot featured in THE HITS CD booklet. Mirroring their artistic development through the years, the hairstyles and clothes may have changed, but the group's essence, catnip to teens for over half a decade, remains the same--pure, unadulterated pop.

These 13 tracks are proof, if any were needed, of the group's undisputed mastery of late-'90s pop and their ability to morph, with chameleon-like ease, between the hip-hop-lite of "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," the ABBA-style pop of "Quit Playing Games," and the tearful balladry of "I Want it That Way." Credit is also due to their Svengali, the Sweden-based pop wizard Max Martin, who masterminds most of these cuts and gives them a depth and musicality lacking in the work of many of the Boys' peers.

Also Features A New Track "Drowning"

Backstreet Boys: Kevin Richardson, Howard "Howie D" Dorough, Alexander James "AJ" McLean, Brian "B-Rok" Littrell, Nick Carter.

Producers include: Max Martin, Rami, Kristian Lundin, Franciz & Le Point, Timmy Allen.

Q (12/01, p.152) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Slamming choruses and emotive ballads...this will always fill the airwaves..."