Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
so sexy, soulful and thoroughly enjoyable...., September 13, 2004
This CD is a throwback to my youth. I was about twelve years old when it came out--back when Boyz 2 Men was truly a hot commodity. They have a wonderful "old school" flavor reminiscent of the old doowop guy groups of 1960s. This is especially evident in the four part harmonies, the smooth and romantic lyrics and the original interpretations of old standards ("Yesterday").
Where do I begin to describe the mood of this wonderful and innovative R&B album? There is something for everyone on this CD. We have the funky, catchy "Thank You" that samples from "La-Di-Da-Di" performed by Doug E. Fresh. The hook is infectious! We have "All Around the World" to get you up and dancing, no doubt. One of my personal favorites is "I Sit Away," written by Tony Rich (of the Tony Rich Project fame). It has a haunting hook and a beautiful, introspective feel. Truly an ode to solitude. There are also a couple of songs on this album that became huge hits for the fellas back in the early 1990s. They include "I'll Make Love to You" (on those songs to get you in the mood), and "Water Runs Dry."
One of the strongest points of this album is the luscious arrangements and fine tuning of production on each of the cuts. Even my least favorite of the songs--"50 Candles"--has a very sexy, clean and catchy arrangment.
Check this out! And all of you young ones out there, don't write the Boyz as just another R&B band from the 1990s. They were truly in a class by themselves.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two, February 19, 2008
After the successful debut Cooleyhighharmony Boyz II men found their trademark sound on their sophmore effort II with singles that were lush mature ballads such as "I'll Make Love To You", "On Bended Knee" and "Waters Run Dry" that reached 1, 1 and #2 on the singles chart. "I'll Make Love To You" also scored a record of 14 weeks at number 1...not quite surprisingly it was later beaten by their own "One Sweet Day" with Mariah Carey in 1995 that mangaged to spend as much as 16. But thanks to producers like Dallas Austin and Tim & Bob there is plenty of variety here with uptempo/midtempos like "Thank You", "All Around The World", "U Know" and "Vibin" a moderate single hit by the way. But just like their peers, Jodeci and Dru Hill their strenght are the ballads. The Babyface penned "I'll Make Love To You" is one of the best ballads of all time and resemble their previous hit "End of the Road" Quite Alot, while "Waters Run Dry" and Janet's frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's "One Bended Knee" are both equally strong ballads. Non single hits like Tony Rich's "Tring Times" and the wonderful Tim & Bob song "50 Candles" aren't bad either and the album ends with an a cappella version of the Beatles "Yesterday" and proves how good they sing together. With "II" it's obvious however that Boyz II Men are moving further away from New Jack Swing of the early 90's and settling for their own ballad heavy trademark sound. "II" sold 15 million copies in the end, a few more then their debut and successfully made Boyz II Men one of the greatest R&B bands of all time. If you're further interested in the band check, Evolution from 1997, but after that album their popularity vanished and they got plenty of competition from others. But when it comes to smooth ballads, few can deliver them like this, 30 million sold albums after 3 album speaks a clear message. This one is defenitely recommended, it's Boyz II Men at their peak.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very good collection..more than just the 4 singles, April 26, 2005
Boyz II Men made it huge in the 90s by pairing up their tight harmonies recalling classic Motown groups (Temps and Tops) with more up-to-date rhythmic tracks incorporating samples and other hip-hop stylings. This album broke them into superstardom as their followup to "Cooleyhighharmony", placing 4 songs into the charts for the Philadelphia group.
HIGHLIGHTS:
This album pretty much divides into 2 'sides': The uptempo side (before "Khalil") and the ballads afterwards. Most of the biggest chart tunes fall in the 2nd half.
Part 1 has "Thank You" (the only up-tempo chart hit), an infectious number riding a Doug E. Fresh sample. "Vibin'" is a nice midtempo groove though the lyric's pretty lightweight (We're just vibin'/dancin' the night away/Groovin'/Vibin'/non-stop until the break of day). "I Sit Away" is a Tony Rich tune about drowning in self pity that stops short of being maudlin. (This and "Nobody Knows"..is Rich clinically depressed or what?)
In the "slow side", Babyface's "I'll Make Love to you" set a record for the length of time at #1. "On Bended Knee" (from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) and "Water Runs Dry" (another Babyface composition) also made some chart action. The group shows off their sterling harmonies on the Beatles classic "Yesterday" and they pull off the true feat of not embarrassing themselves on a rock classic. It's a wonderful rendition.
LOWS:
"All Around the World" is Boyz II Men's rewrite of Ricky Nelson's "Travelin' Man" more or less, but not nearly as memorable. Considering how pivotal it is to the album, "Khalil" is a pretty blah track. "Jezzebel" is a dull overlong affair. "50 Candles" includes the lyric "Holding your body like a plastic molding"....'nuff said.
BOTTOM LINE:
There are enough hits to make this a mini-greatest hits all by itself, but the extras like "I Sit By" and "Yesterday" make this one worth owning. Recommended for R&B fans.
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by Boyz II Men 
