NKOTB | THE BLOCK REVISITED ALBUM
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
credit: Austin Hargrave
New Kids on the Block known these days as NKOTB, is an American boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts. The band is made up of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block rose to success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 80 million records worldwide. In 1984 they formed the band and achieved world renowned stardom in 1989 after the success of their second album, Hangin’ Tough.. In 1994, they disbanded, but reunited in 2007 for a new album and concert tour. NKOTB’s 6th album, The Block was released in 2008 and the remastered version is the subject of this review.
Fun fact, in 1988 I was taken to my first concert ever to see Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. I was 8 and remember watching the opening act for her; my aunt said that they were a local group from Boston. That group? New Kids On The Block. This was the year before they exploded on the charts and became well known! It would be more than 30 years before I saw them again on their Mixed Tape Tour in 2019.
THE BLOCK REVISITED Tracklisting:
Click Click Click
Single (NKOTB And NE-YO)
Big Girl Now (feat. Lady Gaga)
Summertime
2 In The Morning
Grown Man (feat. The Pussycat Dolls And Teddy Riley)
Dirty Dancing
Sexify My Love
Twisted
Full Service (feat. New Edition)
Lights, Camera, Action
Put It On My Tab (feat. Akon)
Stare At You
One Song
Don't Cry
Officially Over
Looking Like Danger
Message from Alma Wahlberg
Close To You
Message from Tom McIntyre
Coming Home
Dirty Dancing (Dem Jointz Remix) feat. JOSHUA, DK & DINO of SEVENTEEN
Summertime (REDONE Remix)
Wanna Fall In Love
Girls Night Out
You Got My Heart
Sweat
Click Click Click (Phantogram Remix)
Single (Stonebridge Remix) [Club Mix]
2 In The Morning (Space Cowboy Remix)
Full disclosure, I’ve never been a fan of boy bands. I was asked to review The Block, Revisited and this was my first exposure to any of these previously released songs.
Click, Click, Click has a nice tempo and solid rhythmic beat. The vocals are soft and meet that R&B quality of the late 80’s/early 90’s we all loved. The song has seductive elements, as intended, and the lyrics tell the listener that watching his girl getting all dolled up raises his desire for her. “I am reacting. Losing the cool in my knees, and I’m phening for you.” If you want to get ready for a night out, only to end up staying home together, this is a sexy song for that.
2 in the Morning has upbeat instrumentals and vocals, but the lyrics convey that there is trouble in paradise. “Here we go again. You know I like it when you’ve got your back to me, but not when you’re mad at me. Please look at me and say goodnight” Throughout the song he is pleading with her to discuss what’s wrong, but she isn’t giving in. This song is relatable, and I found it a bit sweet.
One song that wasn’t included in the email to review, but I really want to mention is You’ve Got My Heart. This song is new to the album and by far my favorite one. It’s truly genuine the song starts opens with beautiful piano notes, and the most perfect harmony. “I save every stub from movies to clubs in a shoebox that you’ll never find. No, you won’t. And one day you’ll see, I’ll cover the streets with the very best days of our lives.” If New Kids on the Block came out with more songs like this, I might be a boy band convert. This song was truly powerful, loving, and I enjoyed it immensely. How this didn’t make the cut in 2008, I don’t understand.
This newest release includes new, never before heard songs that are definitely worth a listen. Die hard New Kids On the Block fans will definitely enjoy this album. The Block, revisited was released on November 3, 2023, and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube music. The New Kids on the Block will be on tour in 2024.
Senior Writer Allyson Romano