by Donna Cooper

Created on: May 16, 2008

So, it's official. After a 14-year absence, and on the cusp of the 20th anniversary of the release of their best selling album, they have come back from the deadso to speak. The New Kids on the Block were the predecessor of the boy band era that produced the likes of the Backstreet Boys and NSync and gave us the every popular Justin Timberlake.

Recently, the kids appeared on the Today Show, looking all grown up and mighty fine. After much speculation, and years of anticipation, eager fans learned of the groups plans to reunite for a summer tour and new album. Now, most people are probably rolling their eyes and groaning with disbelief and/or foreboding. Twenty years after the height of their careers, is it possible for them to reach the same level of success they once had? Maybe not, but won't it be fun?

Despite the fact that the Kids might not appeal to the masses of 2008, all their fans from 1987 are ready and waiting-credit cards in hand-to relive a part of their youth. Fans are already starting to dust off their old NKOTB sleeping bags, lunch boxes, dolls and t-shirts. Some of us Blockheads are even practicing our dance moves and brushing up on song lyrics.
Prior to the announcement, the internet was home to an underground movement of fans who desperately hoped that one day their dreams would come true and the petition they signed would pay off. And it has. The kids are back on the block and the fans are ready to meet themagain.

Whether it will be successful, nobody can predict. I, for one, have been beside myself with glee ever since the news broke. I never had the chance in the late 80's and early 90's to see my idols in concert and I swore to myself if they ever reunited, I would be there with bells on. The initial buzz was positive, aside from the acerbic comments from one MTV music correspondent who shall remain nameless, which indicated a strong following still existed for the kids.

But, will that be enough to make their reunion a success? Will they retain enough old fans and recruit enough new fans to actually re-launch the band's music career? Man, I sure hope so. I'm on pins and needles so far, though. Their new single, Summertime, while it stays true to their roots, is just a tad to poppy to me. It reminds me of the abysmal group LFO and their summertime anthem that still grates on my nerves when I even so much as think about it.

I realize the fact that it is summertime, but I was hoping for a stronger single to kick-off this new leg of their careers. I guess, I'll just have to wait for the new album and see. Here's hoping for bigger and better things to come. Either way, I'll be waiting in that line to buy tickets.

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