While doing my daily rounds of blog-surfing yesterday, I came across a stale crumb from the ’90s that I thought had died for forever: the Backstreet Boys. The boys of BSB have pried themselves out of the peaceful hammock of marriage and rehab to punch out a new single… and (maybe this is just the Generation Y nostalgia talking) it’s good. Who would have thought that the Backstreet Boys could stand the test of time?
Let me pose a question to naysayers: why does a “comeback” band’s new single need to automatically suck? Let’s strip away the Backstreet Boys’ embarrassing stigma for a second and look at their track objectively.
1. “Straight Through My Heart” was produced by all the right people. Even if the Backstreet Boys failed to extend their reign into the new millennium, they still know how to pick a producer. Leading dance/Europop/club music producer RedOne took the reigns on the Backstreet Boys’ comeback, and he did his job. The Swedish/Moroccan production artist comes equipped with a gleaming resume, having produced Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” and has also worked with other bona-fide pop artists like fellow Swede Robyn, Akon, New Kids on the Block, and Christina Milian. In conclusion, not all cred has to be snobby cred. In the world of pop/Eurodance music, RedOne has barrels of it.
2. Dance clubs have needs, too. Have any of you been to the clurrb recently? “Straight Through My Heart” was written with dancers in mind. Its synthy, Euro-fied beats are trend-friendly and utterly danceable, recalling today’s bubblegum singers (Miley Cyrus, Pussycat Dolls, Kylie Minogue). This doesn’t necessarily give the boys any artistic integrity, but did they ever have that? Madonna is a key figure of the ’80s. So why does she get to perform well into her 50s scorn-free? Maybe if the Backstreet Boys were women, they’d have a little more slack with audiences. But, I digress. The point here is that every musical genre serves a purpose. And Euro-dance/pop has its purpose in the clurrbs.
3. It’s (grudgingly) getting good feedback. News of a new Backstreet Boys single has pushed its way through the blogs. Idolator and Perez Hilton have covered it, and are currently streaming “Straight Through My Heart.” Idolator’s Maura Johnston is addicted: “This song is definitely built to bring them into the mold of current retrograde synthpop. I can’t stop listening to it! And not because of some weird tech problem, either.”
So listen and weigh in with a comment below. Is Backstreet back or best forgotten?
Comments (33)
BSB are definitively back!
thanks for the good and objective statement =)
Wow , that is sooooo good, I love it :-)
the backstreet boys have not just made a comeback! they released albums in 2005 (Never Gone) and 2007 (Unbreakable)! With successful world tours following both of them. Just saying.
Straight Through My Heart is AMAZING, i agree! they are going back to the radio and the clubs! the boys rock!
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OMG this song is amazing i love backstreet boys
the song is better than 90% than the shit on radio these days <3 BSB
thanks for sharing :)
Great song, love it!
I like it and I hate going to clubs! Nice for bopping down the highway. It just made my roadtrip playlist for sure! Thanks Backstreet-welcome back to mainstream.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
The Backstreet Boys are not having a 'comeback'.
THEY NEVER WENT ANYWHERE.
I've seen so many of posts about their 'comeback' single. They had the Unbreakable album out in 2006!
it's amazing!!!!!!!! but it's not a "comeback" single, they've never gone anywhere!
This sounds just like one of their songs from '99. PS, where is kev?
they're so back – love them always <3BSB
I have always loved the Backstreet Boys and I can't believe they are actually back I have waited for ever!!! :) They are so Back no matter what and to me they actually never left I hear them everday!
he got out of the band because he wanted to start a family.
i love the song its amazing!!!!! by the way this is not a comeback! they never left, never gone was out in 2005 n unbreakable was out in 2007 which were both followed by world tours! cant wait for this one though! KTBSPA!!!!!!
I always be there loving fan and love them forever!!love this song alot!
Gosh!.. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN GONE!!!!!!
The song is AMAZING =)
But just so ya know, they never went anywhere ;-)
I agree with the others. BSB never left, I love these guys eversince they started. It also feels great that they reinvented themselves to follow the trend. Just like how Nick sang “as long as there be music will be coming back again”, BSB rocks!
Pretty much the best song ever :P
I know exactly wht u mean!!! people just don't pay attention do they!!! lol!
my question to everyone saying this is they're "comeback" is… WHERE DID THEY GO?!?!?! obviously no one pays any attention anymore!!! like everyone has said they had Never Gone in 2005 and Unbreakable in 2007!!!! anyway i love this song and can't wait for another AMAZING tour!!!!! always remember KTBSPA!!!!
Can't stop listening to it….took me two listens to realize that I wasn't going to hear what I normally expect from them to actually appreciate the new techno-esque sound. I'm hooked!
Its a great song, I do honestly love it. But what fan won't like it? As for this being a come back no…always been here. Still miss Kevin though. Can't wait for October to come to buy this CD and a tour in 2010
[...] 3. It’s (grudgingly) getting good feedback. News of a new Backstreet Boys single has pushed its way through the blogs. Idolator and Perez Hilton have covered it, and are currently streaming “Straight Through My Heart.” Idolator’s Maura Johnston is addicted: “This song is definitely built to bring them into the mold of current retrograde synthpop. I can’t stop listening to it! And not because of some weird tech problem, either.” [Source] [...]
The Backstreet Boys never left!! this isn't a comeback…they had an incredible album in 2007 too…I'm a devoted fan and this album is gonna be awesome…This song is amazing and so are they…KTBSPA
WHAT A TUUUUUUNNNNNNEEEEEE!!! Solid record!! Great Single!!
Love these guys! The Backstreet Boys have been making music together for 16 yrs — they have never left the scene, so I'm not sure why people think they are just now coming back. I think their new single could do very very well for them. It's so catchy! It brings back the 90's but with an updated sound. Brian sounds so amazing, by the way.
I'm sure this song will kick ass
It's amazing!
But they never left, go check the youtube videos of their latest tour this year, it was CRAZY, full stadiums… and people screaming their lungs out.
I really really love them!!!! Can't wait for THIS IS US release!!!!! I'm THE REAL FANATIC OF BACKSTREET BOYS & NICK CARTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007 lol. but i definitely agree!
Has there already been a BACKSTREET'S BACK? ALRIGHT! joke?
if not, i'm glad to oblige.
Le teaser vidéo pour l'album THIS IS US :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGjYs_u-GMA
The French Backstreet Team
LOVE BACKSTREET BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the “Straight Through My Heart” video has vampires in it!!! One of my favorite mythical creatures!!
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