Review by Hayley
This is the big one, folks. The CD that surprised everyone by setting a record with 2.4 million copies sold in the first week and making *NSYNC a force to be reckoned with. It's also my personal favorite *NSYNC CD, and the one that got me liking them. So let's delve in, shall we?
Bye Bye Bye: The magnum opus. The breakthrough song. The song with the loaded lyrics. Is it about a breakup? Is it about cutting ties with Lou and Transcon? We'll never know. But it's a damn good song and they sing it with gusto. They show more life in this song than they did on the entire first album, and they're finally allowed to be angry and show that they do indeed have balls.
It's Gonna Be Me: Another Swedish-made pop song, like BBB and Tearin' Up My Heart. Pretty standard pop fare, but hey, if you've got a formula that works, what's the problem? If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and this song is a ton of fun and easy to learn for car karaoke.
Space Cowboy (Yippie-Yi-Yay): Before I even review the song, it already has a strike against it. Let me ask you, JC: was it really necessary to put "yippie-yi-yay" in brackets after the main title? Like we might miss it in the song? Or maybe the yippie-yi-yay is so essential to the song's deeper meaning that you want to make sure we get the point? *snicker* Deeper meaning...hehe. Yeah, it's kind of a ridiculous song and the dance for it is even more ridiculous but it's so impossibly catchy--yes, even the yippie-yi-yays--that you can't help but like it.
Just Got Paid: Foxy had this CD before I did, and she told me about this song and how stupid she thought it was: "He's just like...describing everything he's doing. 'Combed my hair...lookin' in the mirror...picking my nose...now I'm looking at a spot on the wall..'" So I expected the worst. And was quite delighted to find that I liked it. Irresistible. The most catchy chorus (Exhibit A: "Bootys shakin', all around" Heehee), a chorus that was made for 2-person car karaoke, and the song provides hours of enjoyment with the fun little game of substituting other words for "paid". Examples: Just Got Laid (obvious), Just Got Wade (I read this in a Lance/Wade slash story and it cracked me up). Sidenote: Foxy eventually grew to love this song.
It Makes Me Ill: My absolute favorite *NSYNC song. I imagine that anyone reading this now has a confused look on their face. No one understands why I love this song, not even me, really. It's just got a great beat, it's got a different sound than the rest of the CD, and for some reason, Justin singing that first verse just turns me ON--er...I mean..it's really good.
This I Promise You: Ah, the beloved ballad. The one that makes the 12 year olds cry. Honestly, I really didn't like this song at first. I thought the lyrics were banal, and the whole sound just really...'been there, done that'. I just thought it sounded like every mushy ballad that I hate. But, while in an incredibly emotional state for unknown reasons a few months back, I fell in love with this song. Now, I think it's beautiful. I still think the lyrics are pretty trite, but they're also just pretty.
No Strings Attached: Ah yes, the title track. I liked this song from first listen. Which is odd for me; it usually takes me a few listens to really get into an *NSYNC CD, or even just one song. But I liked this one off the bat, 'cause I think the lyrics are different from the pop song norm, and it's just...bouncy..you know what I mean...the very beginning part of the song...where they jump a lot and stuff on stage...it's really...kicking...oh, you know the part I mean.
Digital Get Down: JC strikes again. And thank Christ for "Celebrity", 'cause until then, I wasn't sure he could write non-ridiculous lyrics. I mean...DAY-um...a song about cyber sex..."can we get connected? I need some love and affection, baby." It's downright silly. Exhibit A: "We gettin' nasty nasty, we gettin' freaky deaky." If you can get past the extreme ludicrousness (is that even a word?) of the lyrics, it's actually a pretty cool song, all choppy and digital-like. And it makes for a very cool answering machine outgoing message. Hehe.
Bringin' Da Noise: Bleh. *NSYNC's bid for "street cred". Nice try, boys. Bra-vo. *clap.....clap....clap*
That's When I'll Stop Loving You: Remember how I thought "This I Promise You" was like every mushy ballad that I hate? I was wrong. This is that song. Hell, they even admit it: "I'm sure you've heard these words before." Disappointing from the ubiquitous Diane Warren. I mean, this is the woman who wrote Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" AND "Just Like Jesse James"! I expected better!
I'll Be Good For You: Does anyone actually listen to this song?
I Thought She Knew: Words can't describe how much I love this song. This is the song that I play for the naysayers. The people that say they have no talent. It's acapella, completely stripped down, nothing but the boys and their voices. And damn, can they sing. It's simple. It's beautiful. This, my friends, is the perfect ballad.
SUMMATION: There's not a lot of songs on this CD that I don't like. A good, fun listen. That's all there is to say.