by Monnie

Created on: April 05, 2008

Today there were countless numbers of fifteen year olds trapped in the body of women with kids, SUVs and careers who sparked to life. All though females in the demographic of approximately twenty-five to thirty-five have long left behind the gigantic pins, lunchboxes, CD's and posters many have not left one thing behind: New Kid mania. Between soccer practices, board meetings and bedtime stories the internet began swarming a couple of months ago with the rumor of a NKOTB reunion. Rumors were confirmed today when New Kids on the Block officially announced they will be getting back together and have been working on an album since August.

New Kids on the Block consisted of five young boys from Boston who reached the pinnacle of their success in the late eighties early nineties. Consisting of often lead singer Jordan Knight, reformed rebel Donnie Wahlberg, Joey "Joey Joe" McIntyre, quiet Jonathan Knight and the rugged Danny Wood the band pretty much created mass hysteria with young girls back in the day. If they're reception on the Today show was any indication, not much has really changed except the bra size.

As a long time fan of the Boston quintet, I have to admit this is a pretty exciting development. The fact is the last time these guys went into the studio together they made their best, most enduring album. Face The Music was a commercial flop but the actual music blending a more mature, New Jack Swing flavor with their more commercial sound was actually very good. Songs like "If You Go Away" gave us their ever evolving balladry but more surprising were songs like "Never Let You Go" which were sophisticated, sexy R&B. The fact is most people never got to see the New Kids at their best. I am far more excited about the new material than I am to hear the old favorites. I do have to admit though I wouldn't mind listening to McIntyre croon "Please Don't Go Girl" one more time.

Donnie Wahlberg has been credited for the long wait regarding a NKOTB reunion which he addressed in an interview. Now he's being credited for discovering the inspiration for the reunion. Not wanting to just cash in on commercialism, he was inspired when a young guy named Nazeree handed him a demo. He was driving around and put the demo in when a song named "Click, Click, Click" turned out to be the perfect song for the guys to get together and record. Thus, the NKOTB reunion was on it's way when Wahlberg drove over to Knight's house and showed him the song.

The biggest question is whether a NKOTB reunion will be a success. The fact is the guys still clearly have a massive fanbase who are willing to pay for a little nostalgia and I believe they have the talent to create something for the future as well. Joey McIntyre's last original material album 8:09 had some great song and his cover of pop standards was sophisticated and enjoyable as well. Jordan Knight's last album of covers was pretty dismal but both of his original material albums have had a spark of creativity and humor. All the guys are doing late thirties nicely with their sexy, polished looks that read far more GQ than teen beat.

I am already considering buying a ticket for the reunion tour and might even take my daughter with me. There seems something very full circle about taking my daughter to her first concert with the boy band who was my very first concert. I have a feeling I won't be the only one.

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