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.
The Canadian edition of the quintessential boy band's greatest hits album includes 3 tracks not found on the U.S. version: "We've Got It Going On", "Get Down" and "Larger Than Life".
Personnel: Esbjörn Öhrwall, Henrik Janson, Georg "Jojje" Wadenius, Max Martin , Peter Svensson, Chuck Anthony (guitar); Stockholm Session Strings (strings); Toni Cottura, Bülent Aris (programming).
Audio Mixers: Chris Trevett; Full Force; Jean-Marie Horvat; Kristian Lundin; Max Martin ; Rami.
Audio Remixer: Rodney Jerkins.
Recording information: Battery Studios, New York, NY; Cheiron Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; Franciz & Lepont Studio, Bergshamra, Sweden; Medley Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark; Parc Studios, Orlando, FL; Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Andrea M. Majied; Susan McCall.
Arranger: Full Force.
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..."
Great Music
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