From the All Music Guide

"M.Y.O.B... Mind your own business" chant the jump-roping playground children -- complete with double-dutch sound effects -- on the title track of Deborah Gibson's seventh solo album. The music here is proof positive that Gibson is living in a self-contained fantasy world; for that reason it is a lot more intriguing than the standard pop of today. Hear the striking similarity in style between this music and Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears. Marvel at the lyrics, which are at once childish (see above-mentioned children) and provocatively adult ("Plenty of girls would crawl into your bed/are you the guy willing to get into my head"). Brace yourself for the fact that this '80s teen idol is now 30 years old and following the trends of 2000s teen idols.

"What is wrong with that?" you may ask. Nothing necessarily. In fact, if anyone other than Gibson were singing this material, exactly as she sings it here, it would make the Top Ten. You get the feeling that no big label or producer wants to lay their hands on jump-starting an old career when there are so many new faces (and lesser talents) to scout. Maybe that is why Gibson has been left to her own defenses, taking on the role of self-management.

There is something eerie in the way the album tries to pin different targets: children, teenagers, and adults, dividing the album into separate styles which ultimately clash. An example of that peculiarity is the remake of Tony Orlando's "Knock Three Times." Gibson says that it was one of the first songs she learned to play on the piano. It is actually sung as a duet with Tony Orlando with vocals awkwardly strung together by what could best be described as "African techno-dance stuff." The voices on the song (while in fine form) sound removed from the music, which is distant and creates an out-of-synch feel.

Deborah Gibson has nothing to prove to anyone. She knows the music industry like the palm of her hand (which makes a nice debut on the CD's inner photo shoot). The album was released by Golden Egg Records, which is Gibson's own label, and the album was produced by Diane Gibson, her mother. Gibson is a true businesswoman, always eager to take on a Broadway role, a television project, or a music album. With M.Y.O.B. she has placed herself in the realm of top trends, something she has not done so perfectly for quite some time. The title track, written by the Alessi Bros., nearly hits the "Electric Youth" mark with its "run but you can't hide" message and beat. The splendid dance tunes "Your Secret" and "What You Want" are R&B spiked with top-notch choruses. "Down That Road" is a great self-penned ballad, one of her best efforts. The real surprise on the album is "Wishing You Were Here," which is a classic Debbie godsend of pop. It is as cheesy and giddy as her famous '80s music with the addition of a heavenly backup choir and penetrating chorus. Deborah Gibson, who has a superb voice throughout, sounds best when that voice is supplied with a powerful gospel choir. Nothing else on the album reaches the closeness of that wonderful "drinking lemonade on a Summer afternoon" feeling than the point between the bridge and the third chorus of "Wishing." More, please.

From Pridetime.com

Debbie Gibson, oops I meant, Deborah Gibson – she no longer goes by "Debbie". I know you are thinking, "Where has this teen queen been?" Well, this now 31 year-old woman has been working. Since her megateen success back in the late 80’s she has not stopped. After her debut single, "Only In My Dreams", went straight to the top of the charts around the world and followed by several more top five hits and the number one single, "Foolish Beat". Her debut album, Out of the Blue, sold over five million copies with Deborah establishing herself as a household name and immediately confirming that position with her triple platinum follow-up album, Electric Youth, and the number one single, "Lost In Your Eyes".

Deborah’s recoding legacy includes the 1990 gold album, Anything Is Possible, 1993’s Mind, Body, Soul, 1995’s Think With Your Heart, 1997’s Deborah and the newly released M.Y.O.B. And that’s not all – the girl has doone TV movies and theater. She appeared in Les Miserables as Eponine. She broke box office records in London’s West End production of Grease as Sandy. The theatrical list goes on and on. Deborah is the hardest working lady in show biz.

The year 2001 finds Deborah creating her own Broadway musical, Skirts, and staring, executive producing and supervising an original VH-1 movie tentatively titled, Teen Queens. The girl is working it, but she should have worked a little more on her new CD. The Cd is a good body of work for this multitalented ex-teen pop idol. But it’s not interesting enough to hold your attention. I’ve listened to it several times and wanted to like it (I would love to see her put Christina and Britney in their places), but I can’t! The eleven track disk is mostly upbeat pop dance tunes that have no drive. Deborah’s voice sounds pretty good and the music is decent, but it doesn’t come together well.

The title track, "M.Y.O.B." is a meek attempt to cross over to the club scene. It’s a cute song but fails to deliver the thumping beat and filter synth that today’s dance music offers. There is one track that had hope, but also fell short – a remake of the classic, "Knock Three Times". It could have been a great dance tune. The tribal beat and scorching synths are cool but, again, it doesn’t come together. She even features vocals by Tony Orlando, which only makes the song sound dated.

M.Y.O.B. doesn’t showcase the talent of this pop star. Deborah is a creative young woman and a survivor. With all the shortcomings of this latest CD I’m sure we have not heard the last of her. Hopefully they will remix the first single, "Secret" and give us the real dance track this album promised."

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