Track Listing

1. Larger Than Life
2. I Want It That Way
3. Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely
4. It's Gotta Be You
5. I Need You Tonight
6. Don't Want You Back
7. Don't Wanna Lose You Now
8. One
9. Back to Your Heart
10. Spanish Eyes
11. No One Else Comes Close
12. Perfect Fan

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3483 in Music
• Released on: 1999-05-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
For their hard-core under-18 fans, of course, the Backstreet Boys are all that, and a bag of chips and free soda to boot. Millennium, the follow-up to the quintet's umpteen-million-selling debut, offers more reasons why so many of the rest of us have found a place for them in our hearts. The Boys' ultrapackaged look and up-to-date production underscore the quality of their best tracks; only a churl could deny that "I Want It That Way" is one fine radio-aimed declaration of love, or that "Larger Than Life" makes the most of its Daft Punk sample and double-edged acknowledgment of Backstreet followers' loyalty. And who can resist an album-closer like "The Perfect Fan," Brian Littrell's ode to his mom? --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Don't feel ashamed, 20-30 somethings. Purchase with pride.

While this review is for all, it is somewhat geared for those in the 25-35 range. You know who you are. You remember what it was like to hear and see New Kids on the Block everywhere. You loved "Soldier of Love," only to reel in horror when you found out it was Donny Osmond. Now, 10 years later, you find yourself liking the Backstreet Boys. What to do? Put away any shame you might feel and go buy Millennium. Be proud you picked a quality piece of music that features wonderful orchestration, depth and range of style and emotion, fun and well thought out lyrics, and great vocal harmonics.

With 5 major hits already, you can't go wrong purchasing this release, even if the rest wasn't as great. But there's no fear of that -- these are 12 gems you be singing along with for a long time. "Larger Than Life" is a huge power dance tune with great lyrics and an undeniable groove, I've car danced to this song frequently on my commute. A smooth groove, "I Want It That Way" is a boppy ballad with great harmonics that are fun to sing along with. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a power ballad that features strong orchestration, vocals and lyrics. "It's Gotta Be You" is a funky dance groove with great attitude for the dance floor. A silky smooth ballad that features beautiful piano and vocals, "I Need You Tonight" will send chills down your spine with its emotional power. "Don't Want You Back" is a fantastic power attitude song that features funky syncopation and a great chorus. Though it might sound trite, "Don't Wanna Lose You Now" is a fantastic ballad that features powerful orchestration and vocal harmonies. "The One" is another fun, uplifting, sway-along dance tune that creates a great positive attitude. The final 4 songs are ballads, however these are much lower-key in orchestration, allowing the Boys to showcase their vocal and harmonic depth. "Back to Your Heart" features minimal guitar and percussion; the depth comes from the richness of the Boys' voices. With little orchestration, "Spanish Eyes" concentrates on the harmonies, however they seem a bit off and strained. "No One Else Comes Close" is nice with really great backing vocals, and kudos for the bridge key change. We conclude with "The Perfect Fan" which has an anthemic feel with its power orchestration elements and a backing choir that help heighten the emotional intensity of this beautiful ballad dedicated to mothers everywhere.

Doing a review of this CD is somewhat out of character for me. I have had this CD for less than a year. And I am not a BSB fan; I didn't buy their first album, and I don't know any of their names and couldn't pick them out of a lineup. However, what BSB have released here is a strong piece of pop music for the new millennium. This isn't a release you can simply listen to once and then put back on the shelf. It will be interesting to see 10 years down the road, but I have a strong feeling this CD will still be with many of us and bring fond memories. While originally thinking I'd give it 4 stars (since it's so new to my collection), this most recent listen convinces me that a low 5 star rating is really in order -- it really is that solid.

My recommendation is if you've liked what you've heard on the radio thus far, you can't go wrong buying this CD. Forget the fact that they are the most recent boy band that every teen and pre-teen girl in America is screaming over. Forget the fact they get probably way too much air play on MTV and the Top 40 stations. Get away from the kids or friends who play this release 24/7. Give it a serious listen by yourself, and you will come to realize there is no shame in admitting you like BSB. Beyond all the hype, they really do have talent. And how many pop stars can you truly say that about?

Stand proud with your copy of Millennium. It really is a great addition to any pop music collection.

Millenium (an honest review)
The Backstreet Boys are possible the most reviled/adored group of boys today. So hear is my little say about their 11x platinum album:

1. Larger Than Life This is a great song...if you are a fan of the Boys. If you aren't skip it. Or if you aren't a big fan but dig the beat, then buy the single version (it has the instrumental version). But I have to say, as a fan of theirs it's nice to have five guys sing a song for me. And the 11 other million girls out there. And 15 guys. And 36 adults.

2. I Want It That Way This track, by far, is the best on the album. By that, I mean that if all the people in the world had to agree on one track off the album as their favorite, this would be it. The music is perfect---not a ballad, but not too fast-paced either. The lyrics are even better. If you haven't hear it (yeah right!), the Boys are singing about a relationship that just isn't working out. And it is not confusing, contrary to what E. Weekly and R. Stone say. But for those slow-witted critics, here's a quick explanation: "You are my fire, the one desire..." The first lines are obvious in their meaning. "But we are two worlds apart..." I'm sure we've all felt that way before. Now for the somewhat strange chorus. "Tell me why?/Ain't nothin' but a heartache/Tell me why?/Ain't nothin' but a mistake..." What that means is, I think, that we're asking our (ex)partner why it isn't working out. And the reply is...well, just listen. Then---"Am I your fire? Your one desire? Yes I know, it's too late..." So say you put yourself on the line by syaing that ---is your fire, etc. So you want to know how they feel before you write them out of your life forever. Then there's that part "now I can see that we've fallen apart...no matter the distance I want you to know...you are my fire, the one desire..." And the song goes on from there. See? Not so hard to comprehed, eh?

3. Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely This is basically a very sad song about being lonely. Kudos to Max Martin and the late Herbert Crichlow for a great song, despite some confusing lyrics here and there. The Boys voices really shine here. As they do in I Want It That Way.

4. It's Gotta Be You I suppose they had to include some pop-flavor. Think Backstreet's Back, I Want You Back, and funky lyrics mixed up together, and you have the song.

5. I Need You Tonight A great song, produced and written by Shania Twain's hubby, and sung by Nick Carter, the Boys with the famed high-pitched voice. But he does alright here, and the piano sounds even better.

6. Don't Want You Back This is a tribute to all ex-girlfriends and those who used the Boys because they were famous/rich. An awesome track, and will probably be released in the summer of '00.

7. Don't Wanna Lose You Now. A nice, sad, love song.

8. The One A nice, spacey, but somehow dance/rock beat. The chorus may sound a bit egotisitical, but the the Boys pass it off with their voices as being somehow endearing.

9. Back To your Heart A beautiful love song, cowritten by one of the Boys. You want her back? Forget NSYNC, just play this.

10. Spanish Eyes Also kind of confusing, but a nice ballad.

11. No One Else Comes Close This is a truly wonderful ballad, perfect for married couples. Trust me.

12. The Perfect Fan The Boys love their girls (fans), but mama come's first. This is a perfect ending.

A pleasant surprise
I'm not 14. I'm not even a teenager. I'm 41 years old. I owned 4 Alice Cooper albums in my teens. This is a far cry from Alice Cooper, but these boys can sing to me any time. I love this CD. The mellow songs are beautifully sung and arranged. The perfect music to listen to after a rough day at the office.