Revelation
September 26, 2000
When the boy-band brigade is broken down into its studio-born parts, 98 Degrees stands out like an Eskimo on a nude beach. Aside from the fact that its members are just plain cuter than their clown-prince counterparts, the fact that they sing in the key of Motown (their first label) and help write and produce their own music wins them a heaping helping of respect.
The clean-shaven, turtle-necked foursome jumps back into the music game with their first single, "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)." It's a departure for the boys in more ways than one. Not only is the addition of Spanish guitar unique for the group, they've also never released an uptempo single prior to this.
Are they trying to cash in on recent Latin success? Well, maybe. But it works.
Their playful experimentation even extends into rap. Yes, rap. On "Dizzy," Nick Lachey raps a few lines of quick, fun rhyme. Don't look for bitches and blunts here, though -- for 98 Degrees, it's still all about love.
Of course, despite experimentation, Revelation is bloated with ballads. It is, after all, the boys' forte. "My Everything" practically screams -- OK, cries - Jessica Simpson, who everybody knows is Nick's girl. It's a weepy, sweet ballad that will make girls around the world swoon. "Yesterday's Letter" and "Stay the Night" are other soft spots on the album, punctuated with piano, and huffs and puffs of yearning confirming their utmost sincerity.
Judging by the triumphs of their boy-band predecessors this year, Revelation will no doubt be a hit. But 98 Degrees is more than just a group of pretty faces; they have the rhythms to back up the beauty.
Jen Oliver
CDNOW.com
September 26, 2000
Rather than rushing back into the studio to keep the momentum of their sophomore smash 98 Degrees and Rising going, the four hunks of 98 Degrees decided to act more like real musicians and cowrite and produce their third album. And though there is no shortage of balladry on Revelation, the Ohio-bred act has sprinkled some tasty, uptempo flavors into the sugary, lovelorn mix. The opening track, "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)"--not to be confused with Jennifer Lopez's "Una Noche Mas"--sets the tone with an energetic beat and Spanish guitar. From there, it's back and forth between the harmonized ballads that made 98 Degrees the third most beloved group among the teenage-girl set, and some more daring dance tracks (on "Dizzy," lead crooner Nick Lachey even tries his hand at some dope raps). Thankfully, they've ventured out of the heartsick town where 98 Degrees has always resided, but they've taken a few souvenirs to their new destination: mathematic harmonies, symphonic strings, R&B-tinged pop tunes, and even Richard Marx are along for the ride. Still, they prove that they're not just cogs in some boy-band machine and that they have enough versatility to update their sound every now and again. But don't worry--for those of you who fear there may not be a love song as lovely as "The Hardest Thing" here, Nick, Drew, Jeff, and Justin offer you two new tunes: "My Everything" and "The Way You Are."
Heidi Sherman
amazon.com
