A self-respecting guy refuses to be two-timed by an indecisive girl on “Get Another Boyfriend” and “Not for Me.” The Boys look optimistically at life and pledge long-term romantic commitment on “Yes I Will,” “I Promise You with Everything I Am,” “How Did
I Ever Fall in Love with You,” “Time” and “The Answer to Our Life.” Willing to turn over a new leaf, the singer wants a chance to be a better, more loving companion (“It’s True,” “Shape of My Heart”).
They may hate being two-timed, but the guys do a little cheating of their own on “The Call.” While vague, “Shining Star” alludes to physical intimacy.
Pretty standard fare from Kevin, A.J., Brian, Howie and Nick. Minor cautions but, on the whole, Black & Blue is a positive release designed to please fans without alienating parents. So why undermine that credibility by posing with nude women and admitting to immoral habits (cohabitation, cussing, going to strip clubs, etc.) in a recent issue of Rolling Stone? One Backstreet Boy was wise enough to sit out the photo shoot, but 80 percent of the group blew it. New CD: B+ / Moral judgment: D-
