Welcome to the new music review section of YMS/YFS homepage. Every other week, we'll debut several new music reviews, written by one of our fabulous new YMS staffers, Christopher Dellea.

This month Christopher offers three new reviews. Enjoy!

The formula is simple. Take a bunch of extremely good looking guys and let them sing and dance their hearts out. Make sure to have millions of screaming adolescent girls and boys adore their every move. Release tons of merchandise such as posters to cover the girls and boys rooms and blankets and pillows so the girls and boys can snuggle up with the boyband member of her/his dreams. Plus put out best selling ablums that are sure to set radios on fire.

This has definatley been the year for boybands. With Backstreet Boys, 'Nsync, 98 Degrees, LFO and many more groups climbing the charts, it is time to take a look at three ablums that make girls and boys go wild and how I feel about each three.

Millenium
Backstreet Boys

The fabulous fivesome from Florida are back and better than ever with the apropriatley titled Milllenium, their second US album. The boys have matured since their frist self-titled release and it certaintly shows. It is a very emotional roller-coster ride with feelings of depression("Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"), passion ("I Need You Tonight"), anger ("Don't Want You Back") and gratitude ("Larger Than Life" and "The Perfect Fan"). The vocals are much stronger and we get to hear an awesome solo from Nick ("I Need You Tonight"). I felt the intense love and yearning he is feeling for his significant other.

Another reason this album is so wonderful is because Backstreet says "thank you" to their fans and makes them feel special in the song "Larger Than Life". It is really awesome the Boys acknowledge their fans in this way for they are what helped Backstreet rise to superstardom.

The album ends with a homage to the Boys' mothers. "The Perfect Fan" is a sweeet and heartfelt song, that is a "thank you" from Nick, Brian, AJ, Howie and Kevin to their mothers for supporting them in anyway possible.

On a final note I would like to save the best for last. There is an infectious little tune called "I Want It That Way". No matter how many times I hear it on the radio, I can never get it out of my head. It is a lot of fun, the way pop was meant to be.

Grade: A

98Degrees...And Rising
98Degrees

Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Nick and Drew Lachey combine their amazing vocal talents to create their follow up to their self-titled debut album. From dance tracks to slow ballads (including their hits: "Because of You", "The Hardest Thing" and "I Do (Cherish You)"), this album is one fun journey, yet it misses the excitement of a Backstreet Boys or 'N SYNC party.

One of my fave tunes on this album is their team-up with Stevie Wonder. "True To Your Heart" is a joy ride. Shear pop excitement and just pure pleasure.

Grade: B+

LFO
LFO

Formerly known as Lyte Funkie Ones, LFO got a new member (Devin Lima) and dumped an old one. Rich Cronin and Brad Fischetti add to the talented three. It seems no one could turn on the radio without hearing their number one hit "Summer Girls". At first I liked the song but after hearing it about 500 times, I got sick of it. Still I think these guys are hot stuff.

Though I am not a huge fan of rap, I think Rich does a very good job with the material he is given. The lyrics really don't make a whole lot of sense. Ex.: "Shooby doop wa and Scooby snacks, I met a fly girl and I can't relax." Yet they are also fun. Devin Lima's voice is really awesome and powerful. He can really hit those high notes. Brad blends in nicely as well.

Still LFO will have a long time to impress me with their music. As for their looks, I am totally captivated. Spectacular bodies and cute faces!!!

Grades:
Album: C+
Group: A : 0 )

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