New Edition

Heart Break

New Edition matures!

Review Score:

(10/10)
Like many of the other reviewers I go back all way to the album CANDY GIRL(CG) back when I was 14. I really enjoyed songs like Popcorn Love and She Gives Me A Bang. Through my teen years I followed NE's career by purchasing all their albums including their Christmas album and their doo woop album. I figured after Bobby Brown left in the mid eighties and especially when his first two albums didn't do so well that NE was dead. Between 85 & 88 NE did not release any new songs and I thought I had assummed correctly. When I heard they were going to release a new album in 88 with Johnny Gill I was skeptical. I had heard of Johnny Gill and had heard the song and seen the video for Half Crazy but couldn't figure how his mellow sound would blend with NE minus Bobby Brown. I bought the album, which did not contain the song Superlady, and found that virtually every song was good. Superlady was released as a bonus track on the CD and the tape. I later purchased the cd.

With the exception of You're Not My Kind OF Girl the entire 2nd side of the album contained the slow jams while the first side of the album contained the beat jams. My favorite song off this album is like many of the other reviewers Can You Stand The Rain. Gill & Tresvant blend their voices beautifully here. I also thought that Gills voice provided great background vocals in NE Heart Break and front vocals in Boys To Men.

Overall I think NE achieved what few other teen groups can do. They left their teen sound behind them and embraced their new adulthood. There is still a trace of their teen sound present in the songs You're Not My Kind of Girl and Competition but it works well and reminds us of where NE came from. While the song Boys To Men tells where they are now and where their headed.

MCA also released Bobby Browns album DON'T BE CRUEL at the same time as HEART BREAK. So even though I thought both BB & NE to be dead in the water they both emerged as powerful R&B forces in the late 80's.

One last note. Some reviewers compare NE to other "boy bands" such as NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK and THE BACK STREET BOYS. While I understand the comparison and acknowledge the idea that NE helped pave the way for such bands I don't think of them as a "boy band". In my mind "boy bands" usually fade away after their teen fan base becomes adults. It happened to NKOTB and is happening to TBSB. These group don't have the ability to allow their music to mature and grow as the members of the band do. I think NE has proven that they are here to stay. While they may not release an album every 18 months when they do release on such as HOME AGAIN it is a success in its own right. In other words NE will not just be remembered for their teen albums but also for their current and future works. I am looking forward to the release of their new album later this year. BB is on the album but will not tour with the group as I understand the situation.

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