Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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New Kids on the Block

  • Hangin' Tough [Columbia, 1988] C+
  • Greatest Hits [Columbia/Legacy, 1999] Choice Cuts

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Hangin' Tough [Columbia, 1988]
At five million and counting, this isn't the rank offense its demographic tilt would lead you to expect--auteur Maurice Starr has positioned two exceedingly cute uptempo hits atop two overly balladic sides. Really, why shouldn't a black svengali mastermind the safe white r&b ripoff for once? Funkier than the Osmonds or Milli Vanilli. As hip as New Edition. C+

Greatest Hits [Columbia/Legacy, 1999]
"You Got It (The Right Stuff)" Choice Cuts