If early sales estimates are accurate, ’N Sync should have no problem coming close to matching the first week sales of their record breaking last album, “No Strings Attached.” The third studio album “Celebrity” by the juggernaut boy band is expected to debut at No. 1 in this week’s Billboard Album Chart. But is it any good?
The answer to that question is yes. The Florida fivesome seem to have kicked their credibility up a few notches, with members Justin & JC co-writing and co-producing 10 of the 13 tracks between them. Also on board to help refine their sound are famed producers Rodney Jerkins and Brian McKnight and the infamous pop songwriter Max Martin.
The album itself manages to straddle the line between style and substance. This results in a balance between safe radio-friendly singles (“Pop,” “The Game Is Over”) and adventurous forays into hip-hop (“Girlfriend”) and two-step dance (“Up Against The Wall”). There are also the mandatory ballads (“Gone” and “Something Like You”) the latter features the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
“Celebrity” is being called “the album that will redefine pop music.” I would not go that far, but the album is tight and very polished, and the quintet has never sounded better.
For more info on ’N Sync, go to www.nsync.com.