Review by Hayley
So, here it is. The brand new *NSYNC CD. The one that we've been eagerly awaiting ever since "Pop" hit the airwaves, hell, even before that. There was/is a lot riding on this CD. Will they break their own record? Answer: no, but they now hold the top *2* spots for most sales in the first week. Depending on the album's success or failure as a sign of the declining teen pop movement, is this the end of teen pop? Answer: doesn't look like it, as least not for *NSYNC. Since they ('they' being Justin and JC) wrote most of the songs, is it possible that they can do more than just sing and dance? Answer: well...read my review.
Pop: My favorite song on the CD, bar none. But is it because I truly love it that much, or because it's the song that I've been listening to constantly for the past 2 months while anxiously awaiting "Celebrity"? No, I definitely think it's just 'cause I like it. 'Cause I didn't like it the first time I heard it. or the second, third, or fourth. But I kept listening diligently and it grew on me like a fungus....eww. It's fresh, it's different, BT fuckin' rules. And Justin and Wade, man, songwriting. Who knew?
Celebrity: Downright loathed this song the first time I heard it. Still isn't my favorite, but I do like it. I do have a few quibbles with it, though. 1) Why the FUCK is Wade doing so much singing on this song?! Hello?! We already have a bass! And his name is Bass! 2) Excuse me, boys, but could you explain something for me?: "If I didn't have cheese like every day." Cheese? Is this some sort of new 'bling-bling'-esque buzzword that I am not aware of?
The Game Is Over: Nice retro thing with the Pacman sound effects, guys. Are you trying to prove your age? This song smacks of "Digital Getdown". Welcome back, JC. We've missed you. But it's a great song, I like the whole digital sound thing, and they're all angry singing. I like it when they're angry.
Girlfriend: Bizarrely enough, they've chosen this song for the third single. Not the choice that I would have made, but it's a good song, nonetheless. I like the cheery little beat, reminds of "Why Can't We Be Friends?", and great harmonies. And you just know that the really little girls are gonna LOVE this song, imagining that it's being sung just to them ("YES, Justin! I'll be your girlfriend!!!")
The Two of Us: Okay, did anyone else have a moment of confusion during the opening of this song, wondering how "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" got on there? 'Cause I swear, I thought that's what it was, or at least that they were sampling from it, and would have it credited as so. But no. Apparently, JC came up with it all by himself. Expect a plagiarism lawsuit from Paul McCartney pretty soon, JC. But I do rather like this song, despite the trite lyrics. I really like the chorus, when it speeds up. It's just cute.
Gone: Probably the most anticipated track on the new CD. Come on, all anyone was hearing leading up to the CD's release, was "Gone" this and "Gone" that, "Justin Timberlake wrote a really good and moving ballad that Michael Jackson is salivating over". Didn't like it at first. But now I begrudgingly admit that yeah, it is pretty darn good. And it does totally sound like something Michael Jackson would sing. Justin keeps it simple, spare, and quite lovely, and makes good use of their wonderful harmonizing abilities. The boy knows his shit about what they're good at. And who can resist furious Spanish guitar?!! (yeeaahh..inside joke, never mind.)
Tell Me, Tell Me...Baby: Tell me, can Max Martin write a song without an ellipsis? Case examples: "Baby...One More Time", "Oops...I Did It Again". But, I really love this song. The Swedish songwriting team scores again, with an innocuous, fluffy pop song. It's my second fave on this disc, after "Pop". And this one totally sounds like Michael Jackson in the "Dangerous" era.
Up Against the Wall: Well, this disc just wouldn't be complete without a song by JC featuring some kind of kinky sex; see: "Digital Get Down". But it's not on a computer, this time. Oh, no, it's up against a wall at a club. Aww, that's so romantic. JC amazes me more and more every day. He can write the conventional, sappy romantic stuff like "The Two of Us" that'll please the younger crowd, but he also gives us older fans a thrill with something hot, like a song about fucking up against a wall. But of course, he doesn't come right out and say they're doing it. Gotta protect the virgin ears of the younger crowd, you see. This songwriting range (and I use the term loosely) makes me respect JC. It's a cool, fun song, but the recycling of the digital sounds is getting old and tired. Find a new sound, JC.
See Right Through You: I like this song. I love it when they sing "Look into my EYYYYYES!" Very nice.
Selfish: Me likey. It's like my "This I Promise You" for this album. Conventional ballad, complete with cliche lyrics and finger-snapping sounds, but I like it anyways. Day-um, those boys sound good together.
Just Don't Tell Me That: Reminds me of a Britney Spears song, two actually, a cross between "What U See (Is What U Get)" and "Can't Make You Love Me". But that's okay, 'cause I like Britney Spears. *Hayley ducks the rotten tomatoes thrown her way* And I like this song a lot, too. Pure pop fun. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Swedish-written pop songs.
Something Like You: Sorry, guys, but...this song just doesn't do it for me. Kudos for getting Stevie Wonder on harmonica, though. I like the chorus, but the rest of the song is just kind of...enh. And don't even get me started on the trite/banal/cliche/cheesy lyrics.
Do Your Thing: Does anyone actually listen to this song? (Notable only for the fact they say "gotta hump" in it. Heehee.)
SUMMATION: Okay, so maybe they're not as deep as REM, U2, or Moist (just a little list of my personal favorite songwriters), but the boys do have songwriting talent--well, JC and Justin, anyways. Joey and Lance are MIA, and Chris' song got cut, so now I have to wait for the freakin' "On the Line" soundtrack to hear it. I don't think anyone will ever proclaim that their songs spoke for a generation, but they write good, enjoyable music. Is teen pop fading? Possibly, but it looks like *NSYNC just may stand the test of time...for a few more years, anyways. Is my and Foxy's beloved alt-punk-grunge movement making a comeback? Looks like it. Hey, is anyone else digging Sum 41 as much as I am?