Best of the Boy Bands

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: March 28, 2006
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Throughout the '90s and into the next century, the boy band teen idol phenomenon swept through the mainstream pop charts like a virus, leading to delusions of rapture for some and intense flesh-eating pain for others. No matter the musical preference or aesthetic, one cannot deny the sheer force with which this musical/marketing phenomenon made its presence felt in a wide palette of genres. This compilation captures over a dozen of these anthems from some of the most popular artists like *NSYNC, 98°, Hanson, and forerunners like New Kids on the Block, Wham!, and Boyz II Men. The most obvious omission here is a most glaring one: there's no Backstreet Boys! Many will protest, but the absence of the Fab Five is easily forgettable given the nonstop hit brigade from start to finish. And speaking of finishes, the inclusion of EMF's anthem "Unbelievable" is a bit of a head-scratcher, but a nice way to end an otherwise pleasantly inoffensive journey through one of pop music's most dominant movements. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Tearin' Up My Heart (Lyrics)	Max Martin, Kristian Lundin	*NSYNC	(3:30)
MMMBop [Radio Version][Version]		Hanson	(4:00)
Summer Girls (Lyrics)	D. Brain, B.L. Young	LFO	(4:20)
All the Girls [Boom Car Radio Mix]		B3	(3:16)
All or Nothing [Radio Edit]		O-Town	(4:11)
Because of You [Radio Edit]		98°	(3:56)
Too Close [Radio Edit]	L. Michael Smith, K. Walker	Next	(4:01)
No Diggity [Radio Version]	L. Walters	Dr. Dre, Blackstreet	(4:14)
When the Lights Go Out [Radio Edit]		5ive	(4:09)
Swear It Again [Radio Edit]		Westlife	(4:08)
Step by Step [7" Version]	Maurice Starr	New Kids on the Block	(4:28)
I Adore Me Amor [U.S.A. Mix]		Color Me Badd	(4:51)
I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) [Radio Edit]		Hi-Five	(3:51)
End of the Road [Pop Edit]	D. Simmons	Boyz II Men	(3:37)
Everything She Wants [Remix Edit][Edit][Mix]		Wham!	(5:05)
When Will I Be Famous?		Bros	(4:01)
Strange But True	S.T. Jones	Times Two	(4:19)
Unbelievable (Lyrics)		EMF	(3:29)

Credits

Lynne O'Connor (Editorial Research), Vincent M. Vero (Compilation Producer), Fredrik Hurtig (Art Direction), Chuck Taylor (Liner Notes)