Backstreet Boys - Backstreet's Back [UK Bonus Disc]

The Backstreet Boys finally achieved American success with their second album, Backstreet's Back. The reason for the sudden success had more to do with good marketing than the music itself, since Backstreet's Back is nearly identical to Backstreet Boys. Loaded with dance-pop and ballads, the album is as glossy as mainstream pop can possibly be. That slick production adds luster to the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me," making them as irresistible as teen pop can be. There isn't anything else that really matches those twin peaks, but there's enough craft, hooks, and fun on the rest of the album to make it quite entertaining. [The U.K. special edition is different in several ways. Most importantly, it has a mildly different track order and features two bonus tracks ("All I Have to Give [Part II]" and "If I Don't Have You"), a brief interview, and a second disc with promotional materials from the album (videos, website links, etc.).] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide