Revisiting the Millennium Backstreet Boys(1999)

In the wake of the millennium coming, there would be an array of music that would overtake the world. It would be the land of boy bands, girl bands, and bubblegum pop music. The Backstreet Boys would be one of those many bands that would change the face of the late 90s and early 2000s. With two albums under their belts, another album right before the millennium would come out aptly named Millennium and change the face of the band itself. 

Led by Nick Carter, the Backstreet boys comprise AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, and Howie Dorough. The five would become a band in 1993, and become internationally known by 1996 with their first self-titled album, Backstreet Boys. The Backstreet Boys were the most popular boy band‌ by 1999. The album Millennium would skyrocket them to more fame than they would know what to do with. 

The album spent 10 weeks at number 1 on the top 200 Billboard Charts. The Millennium tour became the fastest grossing tour of all time. The single “I Want It That Way” would become one of the most popular songs of all time. The album would be the best-selling album of 1999 and stayed on the Billboard charts for 93 weeks.  

Regardless of your thoughts on boy bands, ‌this album made an impact. As of 2016, this album is the 5th best-selling album of all time in the United States. Though not a critically great album, this album changed the face of music and the Backstreet Boys forever.

This album doesn’t have a terrible song in the bunch. While this is not my favorite BSB album, it is up there. The album starts hot with Larger Than Life. This song is uptempo and exciting. It really gets you hyped up for whatever is next. The music video has iconic choreography, overall a great song. 

Then, we get to I Want It That Way. I may be the only person on the planet to say this, but I don’t like this song. It truly makes no sense and is just a weird song. What do you not want that way? What do you want that way? The music video is the most iconic of any boy band and it has been replicated and parodied so many times. The song itself is 240 on the 500 greatest songs of all time. There is a reason for that.

Another single would follow the first two songs, Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely. This song is a really amazing ballad. It is heart-wrenching and has a lot of emotion. Another fantastic music video to add to their collection as well. After, there is a string of fast-paced songs that talk all about how you love someone and then how you don’t love someone. It really runs the gamut. 

The album closes with 4 songs that are slow and mostly love songs. Back to Your Heart, Spanish Eyes, No One Else Comes Close, and the Perfect Fan. This ‌possibly is the best 4 song lineup that the Backstreet Boys has. As a person who is a sucker for a love song, you can’t get better than these songs. Back to your Heart and Spanish Eyes have smooth harmonies and tug at the heartstrings. The best of the 4 songs is No One Else Comes Close. This song is a cover of the song from Joe, which was recorded and put out the year after. It is a beautiful song that was written for the Backstreet Boys and Joe. 

The last song is the Perfect Fan. This song is a message to their mothers and their love for them. It is a great song to end the album and show the humanity of the boys. Something that they would show many other times in other albums. 

This album is great. It is not my favorite, we will talk about that in a later post, but is still a great album. I had this album until my friend took it and never gave it back and I was really mad.

Does it Hold Up?

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is great. People still listen to the songs today. Even Gen Z knows I Want It That Way. 

Nostalgia Rating: 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is very nostalgic. Just blast Larger Than Life at a party full of 30 somethings and see what happens. 

Do you agree with my assessment? Post your thoughts in the comments below!

As always, Creating Nostalgia Millennial Style!