The Backstreet Boys fail to man up on their latest bland pop album. (Chris Jepson/WENN)
Albums of the Week
ROBIN THICKE
“Blurred Lines”
★★
MOST people never really had much interest in Robin Thicke until about three weeks ago. But the raunchy hit single “Blurred Lines” (and its now notorious accompanying video) has certainly grabbed attention. Whether the R&B album of the same name (his sixth in total) will retain the spotlight is less certain. The Californian’s soulful croon is respectable enough, but tracks such as “Ooo La La” merely sound like unconvincing Michael Jackson knockoffs. Additionally, the burgeoning image of Thicke as a borderline sex pest isn’t helped by the lyrics of dancier songs such as “Take It Easy on Me” or “Give It 2 U,” which makes repeated references to his apparently large manhood. Thicke might be packing a big love gun but, title track aside, “Blurred Lines” lacks any real ammo.
BACKSTREET BOYS
“In a World Like This”
★
AS their appearance in the Seth Rogen film “This Is the End” proved, the Backstreet Boys can laugh at themselves, and for any aging boy-band that’s an essential life skill. But their likability as people doesn’t excuse the agonizingly bland pop featured on their eighth album. Their attempt at a more grown-up sound falls flat almost every time, whether it’s the watered-down Jack Johnson vibes of “Trust Me,” the plastic rock riffs of “Feels Like Home” or the laughably overblown love song “Soldier” — which sounds like it should be soundtracking the trailer of a Lifetime movie. If this is all they can come up with, then the Backstreet Boys had better hope that Hollywood throws them some more bones.
Downloads of the Week
ALUNAGEORGE
“This Is How We Do It”
★★★
THIS hotly tipped post-dubstep duo from Britain have never been secretive about their love of ’90s American R&B. Hidden away at the end of their impressive debut album, “Body Music,” is further evidence of their fine taste in the shape of a smooth cover of Montell Jordan’s classic, delivered immaculately by the group’s baby-voiced singer Aluna Francis.
LANA DEL REY
“So Legit”
Half a star
HOW convenient that a Lana Del Rey diss track about Lady Gaga should leak just days after Gaga announced her comeback. If the idea was to earn herself some cheap exposure, then it’s backfired because “So Legit” finds Del Rey sounding like a stroppy teenage girl strumming a guitar in her bedroom while venting her barely articulate anger to no one in particular. Pathetic.
LIMP BIZKIT Feat. Lil Wayne
“Ready To Go”
Zero stars
LIMP Bizkit has always sucked, but this single (their first new music in two years) captures the nü-metal Neanderthals descending into yet another level of self-parody. And that’s not even the worst thing about it. Lil Wayne’s guest spot is so hackneyed and monotonous that it’s like listening to Siri rapping. Put it together and you’ve got a song that’s so bad, it’s actually confusing.
FLO RIDA Feat. Pitbull
“Can’t Believe It”
Zero stars
AT least Fred Durst and Lil Wayne have some company in this week’s hall of shame because the new collaboration between Flo Rida and Pitbull is equally detestable. Both of them sound like they’ve been lobotomized in this feeble hip-hop track that is lyrically devoted to the pastime of lusting after large asses. Music made by morons, for the benefit of morons.