Face the Music (New Kids on the Block album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Face the Music
Type = Album
Artist = "NKOTB" (New Kids on the Block)


Released = January 24, 1994
Recorded = 1992-1993
Genre = R&B/New Jack Swing
Length = 64:59
Label = Columbia
Producer = Various
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:6ydjvwvta9yk link]
* Entertainment Weekly [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300914,00.html link]
Last album = ""
(1991)
This album = Face the Music
(1994)
Next album = "The Block"
(2008)

"Face the Music" is the fourth album by NKOTB (short for New Kids on the Block), released in January 1994.

Album history

In 1993, after about two years out of the limelight, the New Kids went back into the studio and began recording their fourth studio album (sixth overall), before splitting up a year later. By this point, due to a strong backlash and allegations of lip-synching, the group pushed for a more mature image and song selection that would appeal to fans. In addition, they had grown out of the "New Kids" name; Joey McIntyre was 20, Jordan Knight was 21, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood were 24, and Jonathan Knight was 25 years old. Jordan Knight, Wahlberg, and Wood fought for creative input and control on the album, as most of their material was previously rejected in favor of professional song-writers.

Having been dogged with an "uncool" stigma the years previous, the boys decided to sever their ties with producer and songwriter Maurice Starr, who had been instrumental in their early success. At the request of Columbia Records, they shortened their name to the more mature-sounding NKOTB and developed a harder sound with which they hoped to reconnect with members of their fanbase, and appeal to a wider audience. "Dirty Dawg" did fairly well on the charts, but a Canadian station (MuchMusic) banned the music video due to its suggested violence and misogynistic themes. Although not a major commercial success, the critical reception was positive, and a cross-country tour was in the works. However, NKOTB only could find bookings at nightclubs and theatres, a far cry from the arenas and stadiums they had been accustomed to playing in while in their peak years. During the tour, Jonathan Knight dropped out of the band due to increased panic attacks and anxiety, and the rest of the group decided to cancel the rest of the tour.

Chart positions

Track listing

# "Intro: Face the Music" (D. Wahlberg)
# "You Got the Flavor" (A. Dickey/C. Hannibal/M. Riley/Teddy Riley) - Lead vocals by all group members
# "Dirty Dawg" (D.Wahlberg/J.Johnson/J.Knight/J.R.Jackson/Larry Thomas/Nice&Smooth)- Lead vocals by Jordan Knight, Nice&Smooth
# "Girls" (A. Dickey/Albert Goodman/Harry Ray/Leon F. Sylvers III/M. Riley/Teddy Riley/Virginia Dodson/W. Morris) - Lead vocals by Jordan Knight
# "If You Go Away" (John Bettis/T. Lorenz/Walter Afanasieff) - Lead vocals by Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre
# "Keep on Smilin'" (Narada Michael Walden/Sally Jo Dakota/Sylvester Jackson)
# "Never Let You Go" (A. Dickey/Leon F. Sylvers III/M. Riley/Teddy Riley) - Lead vocals by Donnie Wahlberg and Jordan Knight
# "Keepin' My Fingers Crossed" (Donnie Wahlberg/Jordan Knight/J. Wirick/Richard Wolf)
# "Mrs. Right" (Donnie Wahlberg/J. Johnson/Joe McIntyre/Larry Thomas/R. Jackson) - Lead vocals by Joey McIntyre
# "Since You Walked into My Life" (Jordan Knight/John Bettis/Walter Afanasieff) - Lead vocals by Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre
# "Let's Play House" (Donnie Wahlberg/Danny Wood/Jason Hess/Melissa Ritter)
# "I Can't Believe It's Over" (Jordan Knight/Narada Michael Walden/S. Dakota) - Lead vocals by Jordan Knight
# "I'll Still Be Loving You" (Mike Mani/Monty Seward/Narada Michael Walden/Sally Jo Dakota) - Lead vocals by Joey McIntyre
# "I'll Be Waitin'" (B. McClain/Brian Young/Danny Wood/Dow Brain/E. Barrier/W. Griffin) - Lead vocals by Danny Wood

ingles

*If You Go Away February 17, 1992
*Dirty Dawg December 21, 1993
*Never Let You Go 1994