Unbreakable
The Backstreet Boys' "Unbreakable" is the sixth studio album release by the hit-making pop band. Although the guys: Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean, enjoyed mega success in the '90s, a decade later they are still proving that they can keep up with the best of them--while making female hearts everywhere swoon. Released in 2007, "Unbreakable" marks the first venture the boys took after the departure of their fifth member, Kevin Richardson.
The first single off the record, "Inconsolable," much like the first single, "Incomplete," off of their previous album, is a power ballad with a strong beat that presses it forward. Not to mention both songs share the prefix "in." Interestingly enough, both songs were co-written by Jess Cates, who must find the phrase "in" appealing. Although "Inconsolable" is a sharp song, it definitely lacks first-single quality.
It's surprising that both "Everything But Mine" and "Any Other Way" were not chosen as a single from this record. Both songs are infused with catchy lyrics and an enticing beat. "Everything But Mine" is a very uptempo, enjoyable song. Likewise, "Any Other Way" is the type of song that if you listen to it even once, it's sure to stay in your head for days.
One of the most exciting songs on the album is "Panic"--a song that really cannot be categorized. The track was a written collaboration by each member of the group. It is quite possibly the most "danceable" track on the album, yet it's impossible to pin point what the song is about exactly. And although it is a heavily infused dance track, the guys vocal harmonies are still right on point with the song.
"Treat Me Right" is certainly a club/R&B-sounding track, but it would have been a great single--it surely would have gotten radio airplay. However, it was not chosen as a single off the album, which is highly confusing.
"Helpless When She Smiles" and "Trouble Is" are the two songs on the album that make one say, "Huh?" They just don't seem to fit with the overall tone of the album at all. While "Trouble Is" has a great vocal presence by the group, as usual, it has a country flair to it, which just doesn't feel very BSB. All in all, the guys really do pull off the country twang surprisingly well.
"Helpless When She Smiles" is actually the second single off "Unbreakable", and whoever thought that was a good idea should be fired. Granted, the guys sound great, but lyrics like, "I'm a house of cards in a hurricane," are far too easy to make fun of. It's an easy listen, but it is a very poor choice for a single--especially in comparison to the other exceptional tracks on "Unbreakable."
The song with the most strength is "Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon," which has an almost "Beatles-esque" tone to it, both lyrically and melodically. This song was written by the four guys as well, which is a great testament to their song-writing abilities. It makes you wonder why they aren't encouraged to write more often.
With each album, the band seems to mature into a new realm of sophisticated sound. Likewise, the guys haven't shied away from branching out into different genres. While their first two albums "Backstreet Boys" and "Millennium" were highly influenced by the pop sounds of the 90s, their third record, "Black & Blue," showed growth with much of the album being written by the Backstreet Boys themselves. "Never Gone" was a great testament to the ever evolving ways of the Backstreet Boys, complete with guitar and piano solos performed by the guys themselves.
"Unbreakable" definitely continues in the tradition of the Backstreet Boys, staying true to their style, yet rolling with the changes of popular music.