Never Gone

Backstreet Boys

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 14, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B0009GJGEG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (556 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,961 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #14 in	Music > Pop > Dance Pop > Euro Dance
  #38 in	Music > Pop > Euro Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On Never Gone, the Backstreet Boys crib from the pop foundation they helped establish. Like a lot of smart popsters on the rebound, the reunited fab five broach their return by borrowing from the current hit makers. Even after a four-year hiatus, the flecks of new influence won't matter a bit to the fans. The boys' signature sugar-coated yearning softens every song to a melty consistency, and the lyrics haven't lost any of their babe-magnet pull. "It's all so dark and mysterious/When the one you want doesn't want you," sing the chiseled Lotharios on "Siberia." And on the final title track, a swirling crescendo sums up the sentiments of millions of heartsick, former teen devotees: "Never gone, never far/In my heart is where you are." -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To copy BSB to computer, June 19, 2005

By	Scott T. Dennis "Lover of ALL things music" (Monument, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
2. Double-click on the System control panel icon.
3. Select the Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button.
4. Configure Device Manager by clicking "Show hidden devices" and "Devices by connection," both from the View menu.
5. Insert the Cd into the computer and allow the SunnComm software to start. If MediaMax has never been started before on the same computer, the SbcpHid driver should appear on the list for the first time. However, on some systems Windows needs to be rebooted before the driver becomes visible.



At this point you can attempt to copy tracks from the CD with applications like Music Match Jukebox or Windows Media Player. Copies made while the driver is active will sound badly garbled.



Next, follow these additional steps to disable MediaMax:

1. Select the SbcpHid driver from the Device Manager list and click "Properties" from the Action Menu.
2. Click the Driver tab and click the Stop button to disable the driver.
3. Set the Startup Type to "Disabled" using the dropdown list.


That should do it. I used iTunes to copy my CD. Best of luck to you

94 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rocking on with superslick power!, June 14, 2005

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

The Backstreet Boys have produced an incredible album with their fourth studio release, "Never Gone." Just one of the awesome tracks on this CD, "Incomplete," is already standing out as a fine example of their talent and creative strength. This album proves the band is STILL here and ready to rock us while making it all look so easy. Backstreet Boys fans will be very pleased with this album and I think many other music fans would do themselves a favor by trying this CD on for size. Yes, yes, I know: Some people have practically written off the band as has-beens and losers; but I say their life experiences and their natural talent have once again forged to produce a very good album that is one of the best you'll buy this year. Still other people have said that this album does not offer "new enough" material. I wasn't aware the band was obligation to change drastically!

"Incomplete" is an emotional, passionate and just plain beautiful ballad which is a strong way to start off the album. There's no secret why this song is blasting all over coffee shops already! Try it yourself and tell me you don't like it. (The video was great, too.) Moreover, as people may already know, Backstreet Boys band member Kevin Richardson co-wrote the album's title track "Never Gone" to commemorate his father. When songs are written from the heart like this the artist is always at his best when creating really good music. Indeed, the album has tracks all throughout that you will almost instantly want to listen to over and over again. This shows the band's ability to reach out to their audience using common emotional experiences with beautiful musical arrangements and creative lyrics to produce songs that are instantly memorable and long lasting. "My Beautiful Woman" is another very good song. The musical arrangements are very well done throughout the entire CD as well.

Moreover, Never Gone shows the Backstreet Boys working well with their peers. Look for Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik; Savage Garden's Darren Hayes; the very talented Max Martin; Billy Mann (who worked with both Pink and Sting) and last but not least the band works with John Shanks, winner of a Grammy award for producer of the year for his work with Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Hilary Duff and Ashlee Simpson. A fine team!

So, after all is said and done, the Backstreet Boys show us all with this CD that they are not too old to create good quality songs. They have NOT been too absent too long to make this CD into a solid comeback that is not to be ignored. It's no illusion: They'll never be gone.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing Up With "The Boys", June 18, 2005

By	Laura Broughton (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When the Backstreet Boys first hit it big in America, I was ten years old and in love with bubblegum pop. Most young teen girls tend to be and I'm not embarrassed by that admission. They released a few songs that will stand the test of time, like "I Want It Way", but I never felt that their albums were solid from start to finish. I think the proper term for some of the blander songs is "filler". I was a big fan though, and that didn't matter to me at the time. Now, as an adult woman, I've developed an eclectic taste and I appreciate such a plethora of musical styles that this album is the perfect middle ground between my favorite genres. Hence, my five star rating. As a girl who kicks back with AC/DC, Kelly Clarkson, Def Leppard, Green Day, Eminem, Celine Dion, Prince, Broadway's "Wicked", and Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni", I say I can be a pretty fair judge on the musical quality of the album--I'll look at it from more than one side.

1) Incomplete - When this song was first released, I could hardly wait to hear the rest of the album. From it's haunting piano melody at beginning to the unique way the vocals were arranged it stimulates your senses. I love how AJ sings the verses and Nick sings the chorus with back up from Kevin and Brian on certain points and from Howie on the others. It's completely beautiful. 9/10

2) Just Want You To Know - This song has a very rock vibe to it. The soaring chorus with the driving bassline remind me of modern Def Leppard songs, especially Max Martin's "Unbelievable" from their album "X". Seeing at how this was written by Max also, I am not surprised that I love it. Such a fun song. 10/10

3) Crawling Back To You - At first listen, I didn't care for this song all that much. Some of the lyrics seemed over the top. But at second listen, I listened to the pure musicality of the song and I love it. The chord progression on the chorus is beautiful and I love how they say "Banging on-a your front door" it makes me smile because it reminds me of "I want it that-a way". 8/10

4) Weird World - This song, written by Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik, is one of my favorites on the album. I love the soft rock sound and the meaningful lyrics which remind me a lot of Billy Joel and Elton John songs. I don't know why so many people on here tend to dislike this song, but the only thing I can think is that it doesn't really fit with the rest of the songs on the album. I appreciate that because my mix CDs tend to have songs that don't fit together. The song is deep and beautiful. 10/10

5) I Still... - I wasn't sure how to receive this song at first. The way it starts reminds me of Linkin Park's "Crawling". It, like, "Crawling Back To You" took a few listens for me to enjoy. The chorus is beautifully constructed with desperate, sweeping lyrics and I particularly like the bridge. 8/10

6) Poster Girl - This song has a strong rhythm and blues vibe and reminds me a lot of Craig David and Abs. As a music major in college, I enjoy the sumptuously layered harmony in the chorus. It was worth repeats just to try and pick out all five voices in the refrain. I really don't care too much for the "La la las" in the bridge but other than that, this song is pure magic. You'll be humming the chorus for hours. 10/10

7) Lose It All - This song is beautiful. The lyrics and the vocals are filled with emotion. If you love classic pop-rock ballads, you will love this song. I like the edgy bridge that leads to AJ's little tender lyric and then the pounding chorus again. One of my highlights of this song? Hearing Kevin's beautiful voice. We don't hear it enough! 9/10

8) Climbing The Walls - This is my other favorite song on the album. Brian's vocals on the verses coupled with the acoustic guitar are so rich and beautiful. The heavy hitting chorus is wrenched with pain and the strings are a great foil for the lyrics. Howie's welcome voice on the bridge as it leads to the key change at the end is perfect. AJ's soaring descant between the final repeat of the chorus is amazing. 10/10

9) My Beautiful Woman - This was the first song I heard from the album, nearly a year ago. Back then, it had a decidedly more rhythm and blues feel. Personally, I love the new rock vibe. The song is very sexy and rhythmic. The bridge's spelling of "BEAUTIFUL" is cute if not a tiny bit corny. If anyone wants to hear the original R&B version, e-mail me and I'll send a link. 9/10

10) Safest Place To Hide - This is a song about devotion that features all five boys singing a verse - something I always look forward to hearing in a Backstreet Boys song. I love the sweet simplicity of the chorus. It suits the tone of the lyrics perfectly. This song is one that most everyone can relate to. Beautiful and elegant. 10/10

11) Siberia - When I first read the title, I was like, "Siberia? WTF?" I am obsessed with Brian's voice. It has such a gorgeous pure quality to it. The opening hook that drives the song is so catchy and the chorus makes the title fit the song. "My heart did time in Siberia"... wow. The only thing I don't like is the use of the synthesizer during the first part of the bridge. 9/10

12) Never Gone - The title track, written by Kevin in memory of his father. If you've ever lost someone, it will tug on your heartstrings. It could also have some potential as a graduation song (sorry, I just graduated from high school and I spent the latter half of May searching for graduation songs for the choir to sing). It is a beautiful ending to a wonderful album. 9/10

Album total: 111/120 = 9.25 average = 4.625 stars, which rounds up to 5 stars.

If you're a big fan and you love extras, go ahead and get the Dualdisc. It's worth it for the behind the scenes stuff. Yay. And if you get the CD at Wal-Mart, you'll get the bonus "Song For The Unloved", a gorgeous mid-tempo song, with melancholy undertones. Even though I killed my soul going into Wal-Mart, it was worth it for this gem that sounds like their older material.