Face the Music

New Kids On The Block

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000008IZJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,207 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Intro: Face the Music

2. You Got the Flavor

3. Dirty Dawg

4. Girls

5. If You Go Away

6. Keep on Smilin'

7. Never Let You Go

8. Keepin' My Fingers Crossed

9. Mrs. Right

10. Since You Walked into My Life

11. Let's Play House

12. I Can't Believe It's Over

13. I'll Still Be Loving You

14. I'll Be Waitin'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ~ A FINALE TO BE PROUD OF ~, May 23, 2003

By	Knyte "To The Stars" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

1994's 'Face The Music' was the New Kids' attempt to make a comeback during a time when the music industry was all about grunge and gangsta rap; looking back, the timing probably couldn't have been any worse. While the comeback was ultimately a failure (Jon Knight had bowed out early on, leaving the group as a foursome), they were certainly able to offer music lovers one last album of what I personally consider some of their best material. We begin with an interlude that is heavily influenced by East Coast hip-hop, complete with samples from Gangstarr, etc. Next up is "You Got The Flavor", produced by the one and only Teddy Riley, the godfather of New Jack Swing. Why this dance song was never picked up by Coke or Pepsi for a commercial is beyond me...

The album's first single "Dirty Dawg" follows, complete with rap verses by New Jack Era rappers Nice & Smooth ("Sometimes I Rhyme Slow", "Hip Hop Junkies"). While the song is a nice departure from fluffier hits a la "The Right Stuff", it does strike me as a tad too misogynistic. "Girls" is by far the best uptempo on the album, featuring a chorus by Joe McIntyre, verses by Jordan Knight and a rap that doesn't try to hard by Donnie Wahlberg; this probably would have been the third single had the album's promo campaign made it that far.

"If You Go Away" is probably the best ballad the New Kids ever recorded, originally released back in the fall of 1991. Sparkingly tender, this version is longer than the one heard on the radio, with a stunningly warm ending section. "Keep On Smilin" is sunny midtempo that originally appeared on the Free Willy soundtrack, BUT, it's the Teddy Riley-produced "Never Let You Go" that is the mellow 'urban' masterpiece that the New Kids should be most proud of. With an Al B. Sure-meets-early Blackstreet vibe, "Never Let You Go" was the second single from this album, and the video (shot in black and white) was laid back and smooth. Hands down, "Never Let You Go" is the best song on the album, and sounds the least dated of all.

"Keepin My Fingers Crossed" was produced by Wolf & Epic (the guys who did BBD's "Do Me!" and "I Thought It Was Me" radio mixes) and sounded dated even back in early '94 (sorry guys). [side note: Brett "Epic" Mazur is now co-lead vocalist of Crazy Town] The next song ("Mrs. Right") is probably the most 1994-sounding of all the songs on the album (think "Teddy Bear" by G-Wiz), and I always considered this one an enjoyable listen. Joey McIntyre handles the lead vocals on this one. "Since You Walked Into My Life" is another triumphantly glorious ballad in the vein of "If You Go Away" (both produced by Walter Afanasieff of Mariah Carey fame). I believe this track was originally supposed to be a solo song by Jordan Knight, but either way -- it works.

"Let's Play House" is a lighthearted midtempo lead by Jordan (another solo track?), and it works well. "I Can't Believe It's Over" (produced by Narada Michael Walden) sounds a lot like Mariah Carey's "I Don't Wanna Cry" (also produced by Walden), but it still works well to give the album its darkest ballad. The shimmering "I'll Still Be Loving You" (which seems to be a sequel to "I'll Be Loving You Forever") finds Joe McIntyre singing his lungs out -- besides "Please Don't Go Girl", I think this is his best NKOTB performance. Bravo. The final song ("I'll Be Waitin") is one of the more forgettable songs (along with "Keepin My Fingers Crossed"), but Danny Wood turns in his second best New Kid career performance (Valentine Girl" was by far his best outing).

In closing, I'd say 1994's "Face The Music" was a great album. While it may not have garnered the commercial success one would hope for, they certainly earned 'critical' praise from me: a music lover. And at the end of it all, it should *always* be about the music, right?

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Will Be Missed..., January 11, 2005

By	Wildflower "Nisie" - See all my reviews

By far the best work New Kids On the Block ever released. Filled with R&B flavor throughout (a homage to their musical roots), sadly Face the Music did not gain the exposure it deserved. Too bad - what better way to end a long and exciting yet tumultuous journey. It was nice to see/hear the boys going back to their roots before backing out completely! Groups have come and gone, but artists such as New Edition and New Kids On the Block paved the way for the generations that followed. If NKOTB were never your cup of tea, ya gotta at least give 'em that!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best boy band cd ever!!! Simply Brilliant!!!, January 7, 2006

By	Steve Beck "Stefan" (Pittsburgh, Pa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This Is one of the most underated and perhaps the most slept on album I've ever heard. This is the best boy band cd by far. My Ipod is filled with classic hip hop and r&b, but this album gets the 3rd most play out of over 60 cds' on my ipod. I only play 2pac and nas more. The most surprising thing is The overall sound. Alot more R&b influenced as opposed to their pop album's.In addition there's also a lot of rap and the lyrics are impressive, and Donny Waldberg's flow sounds amazing a lot like LL cool j very smooth and shows it the most on track #7 I'll never let you go. This Cd really picks up strong during second half of the cd. Full of emotions at times upbeat very sexy, and clever and other times very dark and sad. Overall I still relate to the material and this cd inspires me still today, and I truley can't live with out it, thanks NKOTB.

#2 You got the flavor- 5/5 Outstanding start off track. Definitely a car bumper. sick beat, sick hook, and sick flow at the end. ''enough said.
#3 Dirty dogg- 3.5/5 first release off album, actually my least favorite, but still relevant today.
#4 Girls- 5/5 great melody. great rap delivered by Donnie W. His 2nd best flow on the album.
#5 If you go away- 4/5 2nd single release beautiful song.
#6 Keep on smilin''-4/5 Nice upbeat song to get you going through life.
#7 I'll never let you go 5/5 -Most impressing track perhaps on the cd. Beautiful song and beat, and once again Donny delivers a great rhyme, his best by far and does it without tryin' to hard.
#8 Keepin my fingers crossed 5/5- great story still see it happen every day.
#9 Mrs. Right 5/5 -My favorite track because I relate to the situation so well, has happened to me before. ''baby let me know the deal cuz I gotta know if its for real.
#10 Since You walked into my life 5/5- probably the best ballad I've ever heard and I will definitely play at my wedding someday.
#11 Let's play house 5/5- would make a good proposal song, I love it though very upbeat, sexy and clever.
#12 I can't believe its over 5/5- The saddest song on the cd, Danny Wood leads vocals, and is pretty good, but Jordan Knight's amazing high note at the end,completes the song.(watch out Mariah carey)
#13 I'll still be loving you 5/5- Joey Mac still got it his voice. He really lets it pour out. great output.
#14 I'll be waitin 5/5- great outro good way for the group to go out. I'm still waitin''