Black & Blue is the fourth studio album (third in the United States) released by the Backstreet Boys. The album recorded the best international sales in a week for an album in history by selling over 5 million copies globally in its first week of sales. In the United States, Black & Blue sold 1.5 million copies in its first week of release, making the Backstreet Boys the first group in Soundscan history to have million-plus first-week sales with back-to-back albums. It sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
The first single from the album was "Shape of My Heart", followed by "The Call", and "More than That". The band members wrote two songs and co-wrote five songs on this album, a departure from previous albums, showcasing less of their own. To promote the album, the band embarked on the "Black & Blue World Tour" in 2001.
Background[]
The album was recorded from July 1, 2000, to September 2000. In August 2000, the band gave fans their first glimpse of the album, including the track "It's True" on a series of CDs made available through Burger King. Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean stated that it would incorporate genres of Rock music|rock, Contemporary R&B|R&B, Hip hop music|hip-hop, and Country music|country. He also revealed that Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson would be playing on the Drum kit|drums and piano, respectively.
Production[]
The concept of a follow-up to Millennium arose presumably not long after the album became a massive success; in fact, plans were already in motion by January 2000, when the group signed a deal with Burger King to release three promotional CDs, including an (at the time) yet to be determined track from the next album that August, with the album itself to be released in October.[1] Actual production on Black & Blue, began a few months after the Into the Millennium Tour ended in March 2000 when the group took a trip to the Bahamas to work on tracks for the album in May 2000.[2] This next album was to be more diverse than their previous albums, featuring elements of various musical genres, from rap to country.[3] Recording for the album would begin on July 1 in Sweden[4] with the boys recording at least eight tracks while they were there.[5] A month later, the For the Fans series was released at Burger King, with each of the three albums including the track "It's True." [6] Recording for the album would wrap up in September, and it was announced the album, now set to be released on November 21, would be called Black & Blue. The next preview of the album would come on October 3 when "Shape of My Heart" was released for radio airplay.[7] In a departure from their previous albums, the group decided to keep their faces off the cover, going for a more minimalistic silhouette look; Brian said this was done to differentiate themselves from other groups.[8] It was also announced in October that Wal-Mart would receive an exclusive edition of the album, featuring the bonus track "What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)."[9] The group and their label took various unorthodox methods of promoting the album, including their label recruiting fans of the group to join a "street team" to promote the album[10] and the group themselves going on a short tour to six continents in only 100 hours starting November 17. This tour would take them from Stockholm to Tokyo, Sydney, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro before landing in Times Square in New York on November 21. [11] A tie-in board game was also released, titled Backstreet Boys Around the World Game.
Title and lyrical content[]
According to Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne, the album title is a nod to their two musical sides: Black (as in the Contemporary R&B|R&B inflections of their upbeat tracks) and Blue (their inclination toward mushy crooning). It also represented Lou Pearlman's abuse and bruises. Browne wrote that "The Call" (a dance-pop song) "tells how to cheat on your mate by telling her your cell phone battery's low!, but it also has the blowsy feel of a rejected show tune". Rolling Stone's Barry Walters called it "the album's most frenzied cut." The second track "Shape of My Heart" was described by Browne as a "predictable ballad." At the same time, AllMusic's editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "the song flows as gracefully as 'I Want It That Way,' proves that the Backstreet Boys do teen pop ballads better than anyone." The third track "Get Another Boyfriend" uses "drama-crazed harmonies" and was described by Walters as "the album's most frenzied cut." Erlewine wrote that the track is a "dead ringer for 'It's Gonna Be Me' crossed with 'Baby One More Time.'" Walters wrote that "not even R&B kingpin Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins can erase the Scandinavian sparkle from the fourth track, "Shining Star."
Walters wrote the sixth track, "The Answer to Our Life," which "bounces along on a perky melody inspired by their Swedish mentors." The seventh track, "Everyone," celebrates themselves and their audience's power. Browne wrote that the song is "a clunky foot stomper, which continues the self-congratulatory tradition of their earlier 'We've Got It Goin' On' and 'Larger than Life.'" The eighth track, the ballad "More than That," was praised by critics. Entertainment Weekly praised "the graceful way their voices blend on the chorus," while Rolling Stone praised "the symphonic splendor of the track." The ninth track, "Time," was written by the band members. Browne called it "piffle," while Walters said it "could've sprung from any substandard Nashville jingle meister." The tenth track, "Not for Me," received positive reviews. Browne praised "the spunky way they vault into the track." Browne wrote that "Time" & the 11th track "Yes I Will" appeared to be vying in a contest for "Next Big Wedding Song" but still acknowledged "the suave manner in which they engage in their trademark vocal swapping track" on the latter song. The 12th track, "It's True," is another ballad in the same vein as the others, while the last track, "How Did I Fall in Love with You, " sung by Howie D and Brian Littrell, while another rest in the group does background.
Critical reception[]
Upon its release, Black & Blue received generally favorable reviews from Music journalism|music critics, with an aggregate score of 61/100 from Metacritic.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine opined that "what gives Black & Blue character is that it's clear that the Backstreets want to remain kings of their world. So, the ballads are smoother than ever, and their dance numbers hit harder, all in an attempt to keep their throne." Billboard staff wrote that "Beyond ballads, Black & Blue crackles with funk-inflected up-tempo ditties that are notable for their rough edges." Barry Walters of Rolling Stone stated that "the Boys still harmonize as well as the faceless background singers who prop up lesser pop puppets." Q magazine|Q wrote, "The sound has changed little, and the level of emoting none. Still, thunderous grooves such as 'Everyone' and 'Shining Star' continue to be virtually irresistible. At the same time, the quieter moments, including the hit single 'Shape of My Heart' will wow the ladies and the more sensitive gents for a while yet." CDNow labeled it "unquestionably the most seamless boy band release of the year."
David Browne wrote for Entertainment Weekly that "Black & Blue merely maintains a holding pattern, recycling their past and doing little to establish a firm future." Rebecca Dien-Johns of Yahoo! Music wrote, "Unfortunately, over a third of the songs on this album are ballads, and most of them are fillers at that." Natalie Nichols of Los Angeles Times compared the album to a pinball machine and said that "listening to these 13 songs is a bit like pinging around inside one of those old-fashioned amusement devices. Giant grinding beats slam you from pole to pole, there are lots of flashy effects, the environment is completely artificial, and once the ball is launched, you can see exactly where it's going." Robert Christgau gave the album a "dud" rating in his Consumer Guide.
Commercial performance[]
Black & Blue debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 after selling 1.6 million copies in its first week at retail in the US. The feat made them the first act in history to achieve sales of more than a million copies in the first week with back-to-back releases. The album held the number-one spot in its second week, selling an additional 689,000 copies. On December 18, 2000, the album was certified RIAA Certification|eight times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over eight million copies in the United States. As of March 2015, the album sold 5,936,000 copies in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan|Nielsen Music. It also sold 992,000 units at the BMG Music Club as of February 2003.
Internationally, the album recorded the best sales in a week for an album in history by selling over 5 million copies in its first week of sales
Track Listing[]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Call" |
|
|
3:25 |
2. | "Shape Of My Heart" |
|
|
3:50 |
3. | "Get Another Boyfriend" |
|
|
3:06 |
4. | "Shining Star" |
|
Rodney Jerkins | 3:24 |
5. | "I Promise You (With Everything I Am)" | Dan Hill |
|
4:23 |
6. | "The Answer To Our Life" |
|
|
3:17 |
7. | "Everyone" |
|
Lundin | 3:31 |
8. | "More Than That" |
|
Franciz & LePont | 3:45 |
9. | "Time" |
|
Babyface | 3:56 |
10. | "Not For Me" |
|
Lundin | 3:15 |
11. | "Yes I Will" |
|
|
3:51 |
12. | "It's True" |
|
|
4:15 |
13. | "How Did I Fall In Love With You?" |
|
|
4:04 |
Total length: | 47:53 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)" |
|
|
3:33 |
14. | "How Did I Fall in Love with You" |
|
|
4:04 |
15. | "All I Have to Give" (a cappella) | Full Force |
|
3:48 |
Total length: | 55:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "All I Have to Give" (a cappella) | Full Force |
|
3:48 |
15. | "Shape of My Heart" (Soul Solution Radio Mix) |
|
|
2:51 |
16. | "The Call" (The Neptunes Remix) (featuring Clipse) |
|
|
3:53 |
Total length: | 54:21 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Opening Sequence" | |
2. | "Band Introductions" | |
3. | "MTV Fanatic Segment" | |
4. | "MTV Cribs with AJ" | |
5. | "Around the World Tour Documentary" | |
6. | "Shape of My Heart" (Live at the MTV Music Video Awards) | |
7. | "Shape of My Heart" (Live in Times Square) |
Notes
Personnel[]
Credits for Black & Blue adapted from AllMusic and the album's liner notes.
Backstreet Boys
Additional personnel
- Jamie Allen – assistant engineer (tracks 5, 8, 11, 13)
- Timmy Allen – arrangements (track 13)
- John Amatiello – assistant engineer (track 1), Pro Tools engineer (tracks 1-3), XBS optical vocal enhancer engineer (track 2)
- Alan Armitage – engineer (tracks 5, 11, 13)
- Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer (track 4)
- Babyface – keyboards, drum programming, guitar, and background vocals (track 9)
- Adam Barber – engineer (tracks 5, 8, 13)
- Tony Battaglia – acoustic guitars (track 5)
- Kyle Bess – assistant mixing engineer (track 9)
- Stefan Boman – vocal engineer (track 2)
- Paul Boutin – engineer (track 9)
- Randy Bowland – guitar (track 11)
- Jimmy Bralower – additional drum programming (track 5)
- Bob Brown – engineer (track 4)
- Larry "Rock" Campbell – instrumentation (track 11)
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Toby Dearborn – assistant engineer (tracks 4, 5, 13), assistant vocal engineer (track 7)
- Howie Dorough – additional vocal and musical arrangements (track 13)
- Nathan East – bass (track 9)
- Dona Kay Flint – string contractor (tracks 5, 13)
- Paul Foley – engineer (track 4)
- Fraciz – mixing (track 8)
- Nick Gamma – art direction
- Jon Gass – mixing (track 9)
- Johan Gunnarsson – engineer, assistant mix engineer, and strings engineer (track 8)
- Mick Guzauski – mixing (track 13)
- Chris Haggerty – digital editing
- Charles L. Infante – set design
- Henrik Janson – guitar (track 1), string arrangements, and conducting (track 8)
- Ulf Janson – string arrangements and conducting (track 8)
- Rodney Jerkins – instrumentation (track 4)
- John Katalenic – orchestration (track 5), piano and string arrangements (track 13)
- David Krueger – engineer (tracks 6, 12), keyboards and programming (track 6), arrangements and additional programming (track 12)
- L.A. East Studio String Orchestra – orchestra (tracks 5, 13)
- LePont – mixing (track 8)
- Thomas Lindberg – bass (tracks 2, 6, 7)
- Bernard Löhr – mixing (tracks 6, 12)
- Gustave Lund – percussion (track 6)
- Kristian Lundin – engineer and mixing (tracks 7, 10)
- Per Magnusson – engineer, keyboards, and programming (tracks 6, 12); arrangements (track 12)
- Max Martin – engineer and mixing (tracks 1-3), guitars (track 2), instrumentation (track 3)
- Charles McCrorey – assistant mix engineer (track 11)
- Scott McMahon – hair stylist, make-up
- Jackie Murphy – art direction
- Mads Nilsen – mixing (track 8)
- Björn Norén – assistant strings engineer (track 8)
- Esbjörn Öhrwall – guitars (tracks 2, 6, 7, 12)
- Paul Oliveira – assistant mix engineer (track 5)
- Flip Osman – Pro Tools editing and assistant mix engineer (track 4)
- Edward Quesada – assistant engineer (track 9)
- Rami Yacoub|Rami – engineer and mixing (tracks 1-3), instrumentation (track 3)
- Chris Resig – photography
- Veit Renn – arrangements (track 13), string arrangements (track 5)
- Rachel Zoe Rosenzweig – stylist
- Kyle Scholler – assistant engineer (tracks 5, 13)
- Jake Schulze – engineer and mixing (track 10)
- Dexter Simmons – mixing (track 4)
- Ivy Skoff – production coordinator (track 9)
- George Spatta – engineer (tracks 5, 11, 13)
- Stockholm Session Strings – strings (tracks 1, 8)
- Shane Stoneback – assistant engineer and assistant mix engineer (track 11)
- Peter Svensson – guitars (track 2)
- Leeza Taylor – photography
- Michael Thompson – guitar (track 9)
- Randy Thornton – conductor (tracks 5, 13)
- Chris Trevett – engineer (track 11), mixing (tracks 5, 11)
- Michael Tucker – vocal engineer (track 7)
- Clayton Wariner – second string engineer (tracks 5, 13)
- Dirk Woodruff – string engineer (tracks 5, 13)
- Marcelo Zolessi – assistant engineer (tracks 5, 13)
Charts[]
Certifications and sales[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
CAPIF) | Platinum | 60,000^ |
ARIA) | Platinum | 70,000^ |
IFPI Austria) | Gold | 25,000* |
BEA) | Gold | 25,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Platinum | 250,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) | Gold | 26,601 |
BVMI) | 3× Gold | 450,000^ |
RIAJ) | 3× Platinum | 600,000^ |
AMPROFON) | 2× Platinum | 350,000 |
Netherlands (NVPI) | Platinum | 80,000^ |
RMNZ) | Platinum | 15,000^ |
IFPI Norway) | Gold | 25,000* |
AFP) | Platinum | 40,000^ |
South Korea | — | 151,885 |
PROMUSICAE) | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
GLF) | Platinum | 80,000^ |
IFPI Switzerland) | Platinum | 50,000^ |
BPI) | Gold | 100,000^ |
RIAA) | 8× Platinum | 6,928,000 |
CUD) | Platinum | 6,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Critical Response[]
Upon its release, the album received favorable reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 61/100 from Metacritic. Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated it 3 out of 5 stars and wrote a favorable review, stating that "what gives Black & Blue character is that it's clear that the Backstreets want to remain kings of their world. So, the ballads are smoother than ever, and their dance numbers hit harder, all in an attempt to keep their throne." Another positive review came from Amazon's editor Helen Marquis, who wrote that Black & Blue is a worthy successor if a slightly more mature sound for the boys. There's plenty of up-tempo pop, such as the catchy advice on 'Get Another Boyfriend' and the slinky beat-riddled R&B of 'Shining Star,' nicely balanced with some smooth ballads." Billboard was also positive, writing that "Beyond ballads, Black & Blue crackles with funk-inflected up-tempo ditties that are notable for their rough edges." Barry Walters wrote for Rolling Stone a favorable review, stating that "the Boys still harmonize as well as the faceless background singers who prop up lesser pop puppets." The group themselves have said they were not satisfied with the album, especially how they had to record four albums and tours back to back, [12] although the album is widely praised within the community.
Video[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.mtv.com/news/1425173/backstreet-boys-plan-new-lp-for-october-burger-king-to-issue-promo-cd-video/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20020808094156/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/05/16/entertainment/main195864.shtml
- ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1425156/backstreets-aj-dishes-on-new-record/
- ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1425155/backstreet-boys-set-up-studio-time/
- ↑ http://www.backstreet.net/www.cgi?x=show&d=news&i=000614-0859-01&c=0&b=26
- ↑ https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/burger-king-features-backstreet-boys-promotion
- ↑ http://www.backstreet.net/www.cgi?x=show&d=news&i=000920-0859-01&c=0&b=24
- ↑ http://www.backstreet.net/www.cgi?x=show&d=news&i=001030-0854-01&c=0&b=23
- ↑ http://www.backstreet.net/www.cgi?x=show&d=news&i=001026-0855-01&c=0&b=23
- ↑ http://www.backstreet.net/www.cgi?x=show&d=news&i=001031-0854-01&c=0
- ↑ http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/backstreet-boys-to-embark-on-round-the-world-in-100-hours-trek/
- ↑ Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of